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Home My WebLink About2020-02-11 WAIVER Application Part I BioOne COMPLETE Prescribed Fire Effects on Water Quality and Freshwater Ecosystems in Moist-Temperate Eastern North America Authors; George E. Hahn, T. Adam Coates, Roger Earl Latham, and Hamed Majidzadeh Source: Natural Areas Journal, 39(1) : 46-57 Published By: Natural Areas Association URL: https://doi.org/10.3375/043.039.0104 BioOne Complete (complete.BloOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Complete website, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne's Terms of Use, available at www.bloone.org/terms-of-use. Usage of BioOne Complete content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. 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BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an Inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries,and research funders In the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. i i lnwnlnarlvri Fmm•hNn�•lJhinnna nrn>ini vnai�l�1a13 irai-Arwac-.Ini irna Inn 11 Mar 7n1 A i R E S E A R C H A R T I C L E ABSTRACT:Forests of the eastern United States provide numerous ecosystem services,including water filtration,Forest management activities of eastern forests often include prescribed fire to accomplish a variety of management objectives such as invasive species control, wildlife habitat improvement, • ecosystem restoration,and hazardous fuel reduction.Despite widespread use of prescribed fire in this region and the need to maintain adequate water quality from forests impacted by this practice, there is a paucity of knowledge on prescribed fire's impacts on water quality.This article summarizes and Prescribed consolidates known impacts of prescribed fire on chemical,physical,and biological properties related to water quality and freshwater ecosystems in moist-temperate eastern North America,including impacts Fire Effects on on drinking water treatability.Based upon this synthesis,it appears that most prescribed fires in eastern forests are low intensity and low severity and cause minimal changes to forest soil properties,leading r to minimal adverse impacts that might exacerbate soil erosion and adversely affect surface waters. Water Q u a l i ty 1n some cases, prescribed fire has been shown to enhance water quality in the region.Technological advancements in monitoring fire behavior have the potential to advance our knowledge regarding the and Freshwater effects of prescribed fire on water quality in the eastern forest region,particularly for fires of mixed or moderate severity and fires occurring in complex terrain. Ecosystems in Moist—/�foist— Indev leans:fire intensity,fire severity,fuel consumption,mesophication,water treatment,water yield Temperate Eastern INTRODUCTION Hamman 2016). North America Forests occupy approximately 31% (4 Long-terns fire exclusion has resulted in billion hectares) of Earth's land surface hazardous fuel accumulation in many for- George E. Hahni (Bladon et al. 2014). Filtration of water ests throughout the United States (Keifer is one of the most important ecosystem et al. 2006). Therefore, forest managers 1Department of Forest Resources and services these forests provide(Brooks et al. commonly need feasible fuel reduction Environmental Conservation 20f 3).Nearly two-thirds of municipalities strategies. In some situations, prescribed Virginia Polytechnic Institute and in the United States and approximately one- fire is a viable tool for reducing hazardous State University third of the world's largest cities obtain the fuel loads (Waldrop and Goodrick 2012). Blacksburg,VA 24061 majority of their consumable water from Additionally, prescribed fire may be used forested watersheds (Bladon et al. 2014). to improve wildlife habitat, reduce uncle- Globally, natural filtration services have sired species competition,combat invasive T. Adam Coateslr4 been estimated to save approximately 4.1 species, enhance specific environmental Roger Earl Latham2 trillion dollars annually in water treatment attributes, and prepare a stand for future Hamed Majidzadeh3 costs (Bladon et al. 2014). Increasingly, forest management (Brender and Cooper forest management practices and natural 1968;Whelan 1997; Stanturf et al. 2002; disturbances are monitored for potential Fairchilds and Trettin 2006;Waldrop and 2 Continental Conservation impacts on forests and any subsequent irn- Goodrick 2012). In 2017, over 2 million Rose Valley, PA 19086 pacts on water quality(Brooks et al.2013). hectares were managed with prescribed fire in the eastern United States.The area 3 Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecology The extreme wildfire events that occurred in burned by prescribed fire in this region has and Forest Science the western United States in 2017 and the grown steadily in recent years (Figure 1; Clemson University southern United States in 2016 (National Melvin 2015). Georgetown, SC 29440 Interagency Fire Center 2018)provide clear and dramatic examples of the tremendous The scientific literature documents high hazards of wildfires to forest resources, risk posed by wildfires to water quality 0 human property, and lives.Wildfires have and the viability of prescribed fire as a the potential to cause problems in water- tool for minimizing wildfire occurrence 4 Corresponding author: sheds due to the widespread consumption and impact. Despite the common and acoates4@vt.edu:(540)231-5676 of soil organic matter(Nearly et al. 2009; widespread implementation of prescribed Pereira ct al. 2012; Bladon et al. 2014; fire as a land management tool in the Bixby et al.2015),which exposes mineral eastern United States, little research has Guest editor:Roger Latham soils to erosive precipitation following fire been conducted to understand the potential (Brooks et al. 2013). Wildfires may also impacts of prescribed fire on water quality cause stem mortality, destabilize roots and freshwater ecosystems(Lafayette et al. Natural Areas Journal (Callaham et al.2012),and favor the spread 2012).In this review we compile evidence and growth of invasive species(Martin and and summarize known effects of prescribed Volume 39 {t), 2079 46 Natural Areas Journal � �nwnlnariPri Frnm hlEns•!lhinnnn nrnTn�irnaLcllVahirat-Araaa-.Ini irnal nn 41 tiAar�n�n organic matter. Total area burned in wildfires 3,000,000 Fire severity refers to the ecosystem effects of fire, for example the degree to which 2,500,000 forest soil organic resources are consumed and vegetation is killed in a given fire event 2,000,000 (Whelan 1997;Keeley 2009).Fire severity is the result of the interaction between 1,500,000Y fire intensity and the burned environment. m When intact and decomposed plant litter in 1,000,000 the soil (known variously as soil organic horizons, duff, and litter) is fully con- 0 sumed, mineral soil is exposed to heating 500,OOQ and subsequent precipitation(Callaham et 0 .hf al. 2012). Following high-severity fires, Off' 00 Off` Oh OrO 01 O� O°� ti° �� Nry ►�"b ht` �h NO +�\ crusting of mineral soil can occur as the rp 1P rp rp0 T, ryo T, rp rp0 rp ryo rp TO rho rp rp0 result of heating; this condition is known as hydrophobicity (Brooks et al. 2013). Total area burned in prescribed fires Hydrophobic soils reduce infiltration and increase runoff volume and energy,which 3,000,000 can accelerate soil erosion,particularly fol- lowing large precipitation events (Brooks 2,500,000 Eastern Forests et al. 2013).Fire-induced vegetative mor- Great Plains tality may also contribute to increased soil j2,000,000 Mountain West erosion due to reduced canopy interception fl and reduced litter production. High fire (u 1,500,000 severity typically results in either imme- diate1,000,000 or delayed plant mortality (Goforth and Minnich 2008), Large quantities of soil may be dislodged and displaced as a 500,000 result of root death, further exacerbating 0 `b O G.a soil erosion(Fairchilds and Trettin 2006). o° o° o° 0 0 oy Eroded soil materials may be trapped on O O O O°00°00�°O� O��O��o� 0�00�00^� site,but removal of soil organic layers fa- ti rp rp ry rp ti T rp ry ti rp rp �' �' vors their transport to streams.Deposition of eroded material in streams, known as Figure Wh-ends In area burned In wildfires and prescribed fires by ecoregions fit the continental tfuited sedimentation,may cause myriad problems States.Data are from National Interagency IF ire Center(2018);ecoregions from LDS Environmental Pro- ranging from increased water temperatures Agency(2016).Eastern Forests are 3©states representing Level I ecoregions eastern Temperate Forests,Northeru Forests,and Tropical Wet Forests(AL,AR,CT,DR,FL,GA,KY,LA,MA,MD,ME, to a variety of mineralization outcomes MI,MN,MO,MS,NC,NH,NJ,NY,OFF,PA,RI,SC,TN,VA,VT,W1,WV);Great Plains are 7 states affecting overall water quality,treatability, representing Level I ecoregion Great Plains(IA,KS,ND,NE,OK,SD,TX);Mountain West is 11 states and aquatic life(Van Lear and Danielovich representing Level I ecoregions Northwestern Forested Mountains,Mal-file West Coast Forest,Medl- 1988; Minshall 2003; Grace et al. 2006; tern mean California,Temperate.Sierras,Southern Send-avid Highlands,and North American Deserts Malisan and Baxter 2p10; Clapcott et al. (AZ,CA,CO,ID,MT,NM,NV,OR,UT,OVA,WY). 2012). fire our water resources in the eastern United irrlensity and fire severity. While the two Four combinations of fire severity and fire States,identify urgent research needs,and may correlate, they often do not, intensity are possible if the ranges of fire explore implications for policy and land severity and fire intensity are divided into stewardship practice. Fire intensity refers to the total energetic simple categories of "low" and "high" output of a fire (Keeley 2009). A fire of (Figure 2).Within this simplistic construct, How do Prescribed Fires Differ from high intensity may or may not be high wildfires can exhibit behavior that falls Wildfires? in severity and vice versa, depending on into low and high intensity and severity local factors such as the type of vegetation while prescribed fires are typically(but not Prescribed fires differ from wildfires in burned—whether dominated by fire-toler- always)low in both intensity and severity, many ways. The primary differences of- ant or fire-sensitive species, concomitant In general,wildfires consume more organic tell center on the distinction between fire fire behavior, and moisture levels in soil matter, induce more vegetative mortality, Volume 39 (1), 2019 Natural Areas Journal 47 lnwnlnnrrnrl Frnm•htlnc•Nhinnna ornlinisrnalc/Nahiral-Arwac-.Inurnal nn 11 Nar?(111a have important water chemistry effects (Brooks et at. 2013). Changes in soil pH can directly affect the presence of biota �� h�' (Agren et at.2010),soil chemical transfor- r``� �¢/� / orations and losses,and the water solubility Qr `S of chemicals and nutrients (Beyers et al. � 4,5 �L� 2005). In a laboratory experiment, Battle �Q ~/�`L and Golloday(2003)examined how burned Intensity longleaf pine(Piruts palustris Mill.)litter, wiregrass (Arlstida beyrichiana Trin. & <pAs Rupr.), and soil organic matter (SOM) �py� �� 'k affected water chemistry in Georgia wet- s lands.The authors found that pH increased O.� �,co0� in wetlands following fire due to the consumption and translocation of SOM during the fire.SOM consumption was also Severity a major driving force behind significant increases in nutrients, such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), soluble reactive Figure 2,Simplified ciassitication of fires by intensity and severity. phosphorus(SRP),and ammonium(NH,t+). Other water chemistry factors investigat- expose more mineral soil, and thus lead fire event(Keeley 2009)and do not address ed in relation to fire include potentially to more-severe water resource impacts the effects of fires of moderate intensity harmful metals such as mercury.Mercury (Robinne et al. 2018) when compared to or severity. In some cases, prescriptions naturally occurs in aquatic life and bioac- prescribed fires. Prescribed fires typically require moderate,rather than low, fire in- cumulates throughout the food web, but consume little or no soil organic matter, tensity and severity to achieve specific man- high concentrations of mercury can cause induce little overstory mortality, expose agement objectives. They might include infertility in wildlife, among other health little mineral soil, and thus have been enhancement or restoration of fire-adapted effects (Hopkins et al. 2013). Similarly, assumed to be of minor water resource species,reduction of shrubland vegetation high mercury concentrations in humans concern (Boerner et al. 2005; Fairchilds to reduce public safety risks (J. Stowe, can lead to poor fetal development and and Trettin 2006). Prescribed fires are pers, comm.), or site preparation burns. death(Liu et al.2012).Riggs et al. (2017) implemented under a prescription or plan Moderate-to high-intensity site preparation found that although yellow perch (Perea that emphasizes safety of I ife and property, burns are often implemented following a flavescens[Mitchill,18141)mercury levels thus they are most often low in intensity and timber harvest to create a more conducive increased after a low-severity prescribed severity.For safety concerns and to achieve environment for seed germination. fire and moderate-severity wildfire in specific goals and objectives, prescribed a Minnesota watershed, mercury levels fires are carefully planned to occur under Given This Context, What Do We also increased in an adjacent, unburned specific conditions of wind, temperature, Know about Prescribed Fire and watershed. The authors found no link humidity, and ground moisture that min- Water Resources in the Eastern between low- and moderate-severity fires imize the risk of escape. The likelihood United States? and mercury accumulation in the perch. and magnitude of water impacts are also assumed to be low for many prescribed fire Others have compiled and synthesized Increases in nutrient concentrations, such scenarios in eastern forests because they evidence of the effects of fire on water as nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to disproportionately occur on relatively flat resources in the eastern United States, harmful algal blooms.These blooms may terrain, including the Atlantic and Gulf including Fulton and West(2002), Elliott adversely affect aquatic life through a coastal plains and Midwestern tallgrass and Vose (2006), and Lafayette et al. reduction of dissolved oxygen due to bacte- prairies, where gentle topography favors (2012).We have summarized their findings rial decomposition of dead algae,which can slower and lower-volume surface drainage in a model linking water impacts to fire cause fish die-offs, and through shading, into streams. behavior(Figure 3).Our review highlights which can reduce aquatic plant biomass and more recent research not included in those diversity(Anderson et al.2008;Brooks et The simplistic, four-cell scenario of fire syntheses,briefly summarized in Table 1. intensity and severity defined above limits al. 2016; Konopacky 2017). Increases in fire intensity and severity to two categories; sediment can also adversely affect water row and high.These categories do not fully Chemical Properties quality.Bedload sediments can fill spaces encompass the heterogeneity of intensity between gravel and rocks where fish and and severity across the landscape in a given Alterations to water acidity or alkalinity other aquatic biota lay eggs and forage for I 48 Natural Areas Journal Volume 39 (1), 2019 )nwninndP.ri Frnm-hifnwllhinnnn Inn 11 Mar9nvn LOW AMOUNT DECREASED [7HYDROPHILIC OVERLANDOF DUFF LAYER 4OILS FLOW OF SEDIMENT FIRE'S CONSUMED I &NUTRIENTS EFFECT ON SOILS HIGH AMOUNT INCREASED HYDROPHOBIC OVERLAND OF DUFF LAYER SOILS FLOW OF SEDIMENT j CONSUMED &NUTRIENTS FIRE FIDE INTENSITY SEVERITY DECREASED STABLE TOPLCILL INTERCEPTION, OVERLAND 4 STABLE SUB- FLOW OF SEDIMENT FIRE'S SURFACE UPTAKE &NUTRIENTS EFFECT ON VEGETATION [DECREASED ECREASED INCREASED TOPKILL& � TERCEPTION, � OVERLAND ROOTKILL SUB• FLOW OF SEDIMENT RFACE UPTAKE &NUTRIENTS Figure 3.Flow chart depleting fire's effect on tenter quality,based on I{eeley(2009),Each succeeding box is a function of the preceding box. food. Suspended sediment can increase effects(accelerated nutrient mineralization usage at water treatment facilities(Emelko turbidity and thereby decrease the amount following a disturbance creating apulse of et al. 2011; Smith et al. 2011). Wildfires of light available for aquatic vegetation available nutrients)and minimizing nutri- can increase surface runoff, which results (DeBano et al. 1998;Brooks et al, 2013). ent input into local streams. Knoepp and in increased erosion, elevating sediment The majority of research concerning the Swank(1993) conducted a high-intensity (Moody et al. 2008; Emelko et al. 2011), effects of prescribed fire on nutrient and site preparation burn in western North ions, and metals in streams (Crouch et sediment loads was conducted between 20 Carolina following a clearcut and found al, 2006). Increased sediments, turbidity, and 40 y ago and is synthesized in Lafay- that available nitrogen in soil and water and metals, such as iron and manganese, ette et al. (2012). Because the majority of temporarily increased, but the increases increase chemical treatment needs and can prescribed fires in the eastern United States were within the historically sampled range produce a larger volume of sludge at water are low-intensity, low-severity surface without fire.Similar short-term pulses were treatment facilities (Moody and Martin fires,the effects on sediment and nutrient found by Kolka (2012), and again those 2009; Bladon et al. 2014). The impacts transport into water bodies were either not pulses were within the range of samples on source water quality from a severe significant or were of low magnitude and collected prior to burning.l3oth high-and wildfire call last from a few years to de- returned to baseline or control levels within low-severity site preparation burns were cades,whereas impacts from low-intensity conducted in a mixed hardwood—pine forest 1-3 y post-fire(see also Wendel and Smith ill upland South Carolina by Robichaud prescribed fires are seldom pronounced or 1986; Shumway et al. 2001; Guyette and long-lasting. A watershed-scale study at and Waldrop (1994). Sediment yields Spetich 2003;Smith and Sutherland 2006). were approximately 40 tunes greater in the Santee Experimental Forest in South high-severity burn plots than in low-se- Carolina compared flow and nutrients at Post-harvest, high-intensity, site prepara verity hrnn plots. paired first order watersheds (one burned tion burns to reduce logging slash,reduce and one control). Although prescribed competing vegetation, and prepare the burning initially increased the water yield seedbed for regeneration (Waldrop and Water Treatability by 72%v, outflow differences disappeared Goodrick 2012) have produced mixed re- after 2 y(Amatya et al,2007).Furthermore, sults in terms of water quality impacts.Van Drinking water demand, especially in the no significant differences in nutrient levels Lear and Danielovich (1988) conducted more densely populated coastal areas of were observed between the two watersheds high-intensity site preparation burns fol- the eastern United States, has increased after 2 y. lowing a timber harvest in western South significantly in recent years (Milesi et al. Carolina.As a result of this practice,they 2003;Bladon et al. 2014).Watershed dis- Severe wildfires can alter the quantity found that soil nutrients increased, Vege- turbances, such as wildfires, call amplify and chemical composition of terrestrial tative regeneration also increased during the challenge of meeting rising demands dissolved organic matter (DOM; Wang the following growing season. Emerging for clean water by altering source water et al. 2016;Tsai et al. 2017). DOM plays vegetation assimilated the available uu- quality and quantity.Such disturbances can a significant role in the transport of pol- trients, thereby offsetting potential assart subsequently increase costs and chemical lutants and in water treatment processes, Volume 39 (1), 2019 Natural Areas journal 49 ,.,..,nlna.lo.i Crnm•hlFnc•1lhinnnn nrnfin:irnalelNahiral_Araac-.Irs,irnal fill l4 Mar�(11A J 7 4 O Table 1.Summary of prescribed fire effects on chemical,physical,and biological properties in freshwater ecosystems of moist-temperate North America.Effects on water treatability also include Z some results from wildfires in semiarid parts of the continent. 3 Property Measured variables Fire type Study Result Citation y duration Positive/Negative/Neutral 5 w Chemical Sediment yields, Low-intensity,low-severity I year Neutral and Negative Robichaud and Waldrop cinfiltration,runoff surface fire and high- High-intensity and-severity burns 1994 t intensity,high-severity produced 40x more sediment yields msurface fire (negative impact)than low-severity 'z bums(neutral impact). Sediment yields, Low-intensity,low-severity 36 years Neutral and Negative Kolka 2012 D infiltration,runoff prescribed fire and high- Insignificant impacts following low- intensity,High-severity severity,low-intensity fires.Negative wildfire impacts following high-severity,high v intensity fires. Sediment yields, Low-intensity,low-severity 1-3 years Neutral Lafayette et al.2012 vinfiltration,runoff prescribed fire Insignificant,temporary increases in nutrients and sediments,which returned to baseline levels within 3 years- pH,alkalinity,dissolved Low-intensity,low-severity I year Neutral/Negative Battle and Golladay organic carbon(DOC), prescribed fire Burned soil:increased levels of pH, 2003 NH4-'-,soluble reactive alkalinity, DOC,NH4+,SRP. phosphorus(SRP), Burned pine needles and wiregrass: dissolved inorganic decreased levels of DOC,DIC. carbon(DIC) Burned wirebarass:increased levels of NH4+,SRP. NH4"',NO; High-intensity,high- 1.5 years Neutral Knoepp and Swank severity surface fire Increased NH4+,no change in NO3—. 1993 Increased NH4+but within historical range without fire. P,K,Mg,Ca,sediment High-intensity,Nigh- 1 year Neutral Van Lear and loads severity surface fire Sediment and nutrient loads not Danielovich 1988 significantly increased.Increased c shrub vegetation following fine took 2 up nutrients onsite. ra W Mercury(Hg)levels in Low-intensity,low-severity 100 years Neutral Riggs et aI.2017 yellow perch(Percy surface fire and high- Hg levels higher in perch in water avescens) intensity,high-severity adjacent to burned and unburned surface fire watersheds. J .7 3 b M b 3 Table L(Cont'd) s � - ro Property Measured variables Fire type Study Result Citation duration Positive/Negative/Neutral ti, Physical. Evapotranspiration Semi-annual burning before 80 years Positive Elliott et al.2017 0 1842 and light semi-annual Historical burning regime Ied to -+ t° burning from 1842 to 1900 dominance by zing-porous species, n which used less water and led to z` increases in water yields_ Water yield Low-intensity,low-severity 14 years Neutral Hallema et al.2017 presented fire(during Decreased water yield could not be drought) attributed to fire alone. v Water yield Multiple disturbances, 9 years Neutral Buma and Livneh,2017 including insect outbreaks; No distinction made between high-intensity,high- disturbance type.Positive correlation severity wildfire;low- between water yield and vegetation intensity,law-severity percent cover. prescribed fire;storm damage Water yield Low-intensity,low-severity 40 years Positive Amatya et al_2007 surface fires Increased water yield up to 2 years post-fire. Dissolved oxygen Unspecified intensity and 2 years Positive Hagerthy et al.2014 severity; 81-91%of Increased dissolved oxygen. macrophyte vegetation consumed Biological Genetic diversity, Low-intensity,low-severity 4 months Positive Robertson et al.2017 effective population sizes surface fire and high- Biologically significant increases in of Hyla femoralis. intensity,high-severity genetic diversity and population sizes surface fire in ponds with high frequencies and intensities of burning. Z Small fish and decapod Unspecified intensity and 2 years Positive Hagerthey et al_2014 crustacean responses severity;81-91%of Alterations in C:N:P ratios led to macrophyte vegetation increased abundance of crayfish, consumed small fish,and shrimp. eD Relative Low-intensity,low-severity 2 months Positive Venne et al.2016 abundance/diversity of surface fire and high- Increased nutrients and light led to fish and periphyton intensity,high-severity increased periphyton and fish surface fire populations for 3-4 weeks post-bum. especially coagulant dosing (Smith et al. 2011;Chow et al.2013;Majidzadeh et al. 2017).At water treatment facilities,DOM reacts with chlorine or other oxidants form- ing carcinogenic disinfection byproducts Ln `I (DBPs), such as chloroform(Sharif.et al. kn o 2013;Writer et al.2014;Wang et al.2015). `q `y DBP ingestion or inhalation can have neg- 0 co ative impacts on human health, including bn bq bladder cancer,rectal cancer, and adverse 4U a birth outcomes (Chow et al. 2009, 2011; Liu et al. 2012).The Environmental Pro- tection Agency(EPA)regulates maxinrum •0 contamination levels for two major classes of DBPs: trilialomethanes (THMs: 80 µg o L`1) and haloacetic acids (HAAs: 60 pg L- ).Recent studies have documented that unregulated nitrogenous(N-) DBPs, such O O v10 p as haloacetonitriles (HANs) and N nitro- db 0 0 +, U 4 A sodiniethylamine(NDMA),can have even a 5 `d' Z more genotoxic effects than regulated car- bonaceous (C-)DBPs,THMs, and HAAs (Plewa et al. 2002; Zeng et al. 2016). A severe wildfire can result in a significant increase in DOM concentration,especially Q O during storm events, for years after the c IL o � disturbance(Emeiko et al.2011).Besides & DOM concentration, increases in DOM aromaticity (polycondensed aromatic structures such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, indicated by specific UV y absorbance at 254 nm)and the abundance of hydrophobic compounds have also been observed after wildfire (Wang cc al. 2015),Increases in DOM aromaticity can lid increase DOM reactivity in the formation of nitrogenous DBPs(Tsai et al.2015;Wang a y �o et al.2015).Increases in DOM aromaticity after wildfire may be due to white ash for- t j U U U mation during intense wildfires(>510°C) Z whereas black ash,typical of low-intensity prescribed fires(200-500°C),can decrease � 0 0 0 0 DOM aromaticity (Wang et al. 2015). In contrast to wildfire, formation of white ash in low-intensity(including prescribed) 42� a fires is often very limited;thus changes es in a, w A QQ A Q DOM export and DBP formation can be minimal. Numerous laboratory and field studies have shown a significant reduction of C-DBP formation potential following 04 prescribed fire (Tsai et al. 2015; Wang bet al. 2015). However, Majidzadeh et al. (2015) showed in a laboratory study that post-fire DOM, even after a low-intensity fire,can favor formation of N-DBPs.Fur- 52 Natural Areas Journal Volume 39 (1),2019 )nwnlnariPd Frnm•hfina•llhinnnnomriinnrnalslNali;rn[-Araac-.Initrnalnn 11 Mnr9nin 1 Cher studies are necessary to quantify the niacroinvertebrates, is the primary model need for fuel reduction, including the use formation of N-DBPs at field scales after used to quantify biological diversity and of prescribed fire,is expected to increase. prescribed burns. the health of a waterbody (Brooks et al. Furthermore,increasing human population 2013).Although no studies in the eastern increases the need for fuels management Physical Properties United States were identified that directly as more people move into fire-prone areas. related prescribed fire to 1BI, some stud- Nowacki and Abrams (2008) concluded Water yield and dissolved oxygen content ies have examined prescribed fire timing that up to a century of fire exclusion in parts are two commonly monitored physical and frequency effects on the presence of of the East has initiated a positive feedback components of freshwater streams(Brooks particular biota.Venne et al. (2016)found cycle whereby microenvironmental con- et al, 2013). Studies of prescribed fire ef- that prescribed fire treatments in the Flor- ditions have become cooler, damper, and feels an water yield in the eastern United ida Everglades led to short-term increases more shaded and fuel beds less flammable, States are limited. Elliott et al. (2017) of periphyton, which in turn increased This process,referred to as mesophication, explored 80 y of water flow and vegetation fish populations. Hagerthey et al, (2014) improves conditions for shade-tolerant, records at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory determined that prescribed fire and the mesophytic species and degrades them and found that historically, due in part to application of herbicides have the potential for shade-intolerant, fire-adapted species, prescribed fire,ring-porous species (oaks to assist in eutrophic wetland rehabilitation. including oaks and pines. One line of ev- and hickories) were dominant and copse- Both studies attributed temporary changes idence for this process on the landscape is quently water yields were higher than pies- in nutrient composition and increased light the widespread decline of oak regeneration ent-day conditions in which fire exclusion as the driving forces that enhanced habitat and the gradual replacement of oak forests as caused a shift in species composition for p h eriphyton. Robertson et al. (2017) with types lacking a historical antecedent; dominance by diffuse-porous species concluded that frequent prescribed burning for instance,the switch in upland forests to such as red maple (Ater rubrrrrrr L.) anddid not limit the genetic diversity or restrain dominance by red maple or yellow-poplar yellow-poplar(LirinderrdrorrtrrlipiferaL.). the connectivity between breeding ponds (Van Lear 2000). Some stands affected Hallema et al.(2017)studied the effects of of the endemic pine woods tree frog(Npla by long-term fire exclusion have proven fentoralis Bose, 1800) in Florida. resistant to restoration (Van Lear 2000; repeated prescribed fire on water yield in a South Carolina watershed. They found Kreye et at. 2018) and appear to have water yield decreased by 39%; however, Research Gaps altered decomposition rates, which affect soil nutrients(Alexander and Arthur 2014). there was no experimental control and Prescribed fire in the dormant season alone the decrease was more likely attributable Counter to the simplified fire intensity and to a decrease in precipitation during the severity matrix in Figure 2, real-world does not necessarily enhance oak regenera- sample period than burning. Buena and prescribed fires in the East are complex tionsufficiently for oaks tooutcompetered Livneh (2017) examined the influences phenomena(Loudermilk et al.2017;Yedi- maple,yellow-poplar,and other mesophyt- of different disturbances such as insect nak et al, 2018).The ecological effects of ic,fire-intolerant species that are replacing outbreak,timber harvesting,and fire(both fire are dictated by numerous factors whose historically oak-dominated forests in many wildfire and prescribed fire)an water yield, combination is unique to each individual parts of the East (Oakinan 2018). These The authors suggested that prescribed fire fire, varying greatly from one ecosystem challenges to prescribed fire implententa- can alter streamflow in Georgia and at to another and often among patches within tion, difficulties in effectively predicting other sites across the country; however, a single fire (Whelan 1997), and depend fire behavior,and a limited understanding they failed to separate effects attributable heavily on the season and weather condi- of fire effects on water quality and quantity in different disturbances, Hagerthey el al. tions pre-,during,andpost-fire.As topogra- are significant research gaps. Improved (2014) found that prescribed fire in the phy,fuel arrangement and composition,and understanding of burning in stands with Florida Everglades increased dissolved ox- weatherinteract in a specific location oil a altered fuels and flora is needed to support ygen and led to higher diversity of aquatic given day, fire effects are variable across stewardship decision-making. flora and fauna,thereby facilitating a more the landscape(Coates et al, 2018),Not all complex food web, eastern prescribed fires are ignited in flat Evidence from Coweeta Hydrologic terrain; they are increasingly being used Laboratory and other locations is consis- in the southern Appalachian Mountains tent with the mesophication hypothesis, Biological Properties (Yaussy and Waldrop 2010), the Ozarks confirming that long-term fire exclusion (Knapp et al. 2017), and other steep sites, shifts forest species dynamics to more Biological components are often consid- mesophytic,fire-intolerant species(Elliott eyed the most comprehensive and sensitive Climate change and projections of ex- and Vose 2011; Ryan et al, 2013; Elliott indicators of water quality (Plotiknoff tended growing seasons offer potential for et al, 2017). These species channel more and Wiseman 2001; Clapeott et al. 2012; increased fuel loads, increased incidence water into evapotranspiration, resulting Wozaicki et al.2015).The Index of Biotic and severity of pests and disease, and in less groundwater and surface water Integrity(IBI),which is used to determine more frequent, longer, and more severe yield at the watershed scale (Caldwell et the presence and quantity of certain benthic droughts(Date et al.2001).Therefore,the al. 2016). Increased use of prescribed fire Volume 39 (1),2019 Natural Areas journal 53 �nwnlnarinrl Frnrn•hfInq•lfhlnnnn nn 11 Mar9M61 appears to lead to greater water yields in effects will become ever more critical.An ability to measure fire intensity and sever- watersheds in the historic range of oak— expanded understanding of prescribed fire ity and predict fire effects, which should hickory forests,such as at Price Mountain will provide managers and scientists with lead to improved prescriptions designed near Blacksburg, Virginia (Silver et al. more and better opportunities to predict and to produce specific short- and long-term 2013), in south-central Illinois (Singh et then test the effects of specific practices and fire effects and minimize adverse impacts. al. 2017), and in coastal pine—hardwood their outcomes. This will further enhance Given our great dependence upon forests, forests of the southeastern Coastal Plain prescribed fire professionals' abilities to shrublands, and grasslands for a broad on the Santee Experimental Forest,South protect watersheds and freshwater eeo- array of ecosystem services, the potential Carolina(Amatya et al. 2006, 2007). system integrity. impacts on water resources of all facets of land stewardship, including prescribed The water quality results on the Santee Ex- CONCLUSIONS fire, warrant greater scrutiny. perimental Forest complement the findings on water yield.After 40 y of comparison Research conducted to date suggests that ACKNOWLEDGMENTS between burned and unburned watersheds, prescribed fires in the eastern United water quality has been either unaffected or States have minimal detrimental effects The authors thank Dr. Mike Aust, Mr. temporarily enhanced immediately post- on the chemical, physical, and biological Johnny Stowe, and three anonymous re- fire by repeated prescribed Gres (Richter properties of surface waters, In several 1982;Amatya et al. 2007). These results cases, it appears that prescribed fire may viewers for their comments and reviews may be related to the low intensity and low of initial versions of this manuscript.Their Y Y alter forest floor chemistry and overstory comments and feedback greatly enhanced severity of prescribed surface fires at Santee composition in ways that may improve the context and quality of this work. and in many fire-maintained forests of the both water quality and yield in forested eastern United States. Evidence suggests watersheds. Because most prescribed that fires with this prescription minimally fires are implemented under prescriptions Mr: George Hahn 3vas formerly a field for- alter forest floor chemistry,leaving behind that leave riparian buffer zones unburned, ester with Gelbert,Fullbright&Randolph a mixture of slightly burned or partially overall effects on water are typically either Forestry Consultants, PLLC, in Raleigh, charred material post-fire that minimizes negligible,slightly adverse but short-lived, North Carolina, where he performed water quality effects even if post-fire ero- or slightly beneficial, In almost every in- numerous forest management activities sion occurs(Coates et al.2017).This pro- stance,prescribed fire effects on water are related to timber sales and reforestation. vides a stark contrast to studies suggesting inconsequential compared to the effects of He is currently a PhD Research Assistant substantial yields of polycyclic aromatic wildfires.Indeed,prescribed fires are often in the Depar•tnrent of Forest Resources and hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known implemented to reduce fuels and decrease Environmental Conservation at Virginia carcinogens (Abdel-Shafy and Mansour the probability of an uncontrolled wildfire. Tech studying Appalachian fire ecology 2016), following wildfires (Olivella et al. under the advisement of Dr.Adam Coates. 2005).Similar studies in large watersheds Our review indicates considerable need for are needed to understand the unique dy- additional research regarding the impacts Di:Adain Coates is the Assistant Professor namics of many landscapes of the eastern of prescribed fire on water quality in the of Forest Fire Ecology and Management ill United States where forested areas provide eastern United States, especially for sites the Department of Forest Resources and substantial quantities of water treated for and circumstances where moderate-sever- Environmental Conservation at Virginia human use and consumption. ity fire will be applied to complex terrain. Tech irr. Blacksburg, Virginia. In this role, Additionally, managers need information he leaches and conducts research primarily Currently, prediction of prescribed fire's regarding the use of more intense and focused on fire behavior;fuels,fire effects, ecological effects at specific sites in the severe prescribed burns to achieve cer- andfire-adapted ecosystems in the eastern eastern United States is constrained by tain management objectives. Novel fire United States. incomplete information regarding the nu- effects might occur in many situations antes of fire behavior as affected by local where forest stands are burned after long Dr: Roger Latharu has been a researcher fuel conditions and terrain(Loudermilk et periods of fire exclusion, including high in fire ecology since 1982,while all under- al.2017).Enhanced technology is needed levels of duff consumption,immediate and graduate at Swarthmore College, Irr 1990 to parse the subtleties of lire dynamics, delayed mortality, and undesired changes he received a PhD in plant ecology at the such as levels of intensity and severity, in species composition or stand density, University of Pennsylvania's Department by improving our ability to evaluate them New methods and models that define heat of Biology and later spent four years as in the field accurately and at a fine spatial release in the conductive, convective, and a postdoc in biogeochemistry and fire scale to hone predictive models based on radiative phases are being developed to ecology in Penn's Department of Geology. combinations of key site factors (Bova better define fire behavior and subsequent Since 2000 he has been a consultant oil and Dickinson 2008). With increasingly fire effects resulting from deliberate species recovery and ecosystem resto- greater areas being included in fire pre- burning on the Iandscape (Yedinak et al. ration, mainly for agencies and NGOs scriptionplans,better understanding of fire 2018). Such methods could enhance our that steward fire-dependent ecosystems 54 Natural Areas Journal Volume 39 (1), 2019 'lnwnlnariari Frnm•hHns-lfhlnnnw nrnAn:,rnnklMnlimal-Arens-.Innrnnl on 11 hkar 401A s' s r Georgia.American BrooksJ.P.Pot and L.Audin S.L. rich in species and ecological CoirrilrLElrl- Wetland. utsouthwe tent G rg a.A erte, € M.T. ,J. y y, , ties of greatest conservation need in the Midland Naturalist 150.15-25. Krieger,and C.C.Trettin,eds.,Cumulative ° mid-Atlantic region. Beyers, J., J. Brown, M. Busse, L. DeBano, Watershed Effects of Fuel Management in W. Elliot, P. Ffolliott, G.R. Jacoby, J.D. the Eastern United States.General Technical Knepp,J.D.Landsberg,D.G.Neary,et al. Report GTR-SRS-161, US Department of Dr. Ha.med Majidzarleh is currently the 2005,Wildland Fire in Ecosystems:Effects Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Re- Coastal Environmental Quality, Fiograin of Fireon Soil and Water.General Technical search Station,Asheville, NC. Specialist at the South Carolina Sea Grant Report RMRS-GTR-42,US Department of Chow,AX,J. Dai,W.H. Conner,D.R. Hitch- Consortium. He was prevfoirsly a Post- Agriculture Forest Service,Rocky Mountain cock, and J.-J. Wang. 2013. Dissolved doctored Scholar at Clemson University, Research Station. organic matter and nutrient dynamics of a where he studied impacts of watershed Bixby, R.J., S.D. Cooper, R.E. Gresswell, coastal freshwater forested wetland in Win- yah Bay,South Carolina.Biogeochemistry rrrmtagerllerrt (i.e., prescribed fire) and 1f2:571-587. disturbances i.e., hurricanes 2015. 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Ryan,K.C.,E.E.Knapp,and J.M.Varner.2013. nology 51:8272-8282. General Technical Report SRS-121, US Prescribed fire in North American forests US Environmental Protection Agency. 2016. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and woodlands: History, current practice, Eeoregions of North America, Accessed Southern Research Station,Asheville,NC. and challenges. Frontiers in Ecology and 5 June 2018 from <https://www.epa.gov/ Ycdinak, K.M., E.K. Strand, J.K. Hiers, and Environment 11:e15-c24. eco-researeit/ecoregions-north-america>, J.M. Varner. 2018, Embracing complexity Sharifi,A., L. Kalin, M.M. Hanttrsh, S. Isik, Van Lear,D.H.2000.Recent advances in the sil- to advance the science of wildland fire and T.E. Jordan, 2013. Carbon dynamics vicultural use of prescribed fire.Pp.183-189 behavior.Fire 1(2):20, and export frorn flooded wetlands: A in W.K. Moser and C.F. Moser, eds., Fire Zeng,T., M.J. Plewa, and W.A. Mitch. 2016. modeling approach. Ecological Modeling and Forest Ecology:Innovative Silviculture N-nitrosamines and halogenated disinfection 263:196-210. and Vegetation Management.Tall Timbers byproducts in U.S.full advanced treatment Shunway, D.L., M.D. Abrams, and C.M. Fire Ecology Conference Proceedings,Tall trains for potable reuse. Water Research Ruffner. 2001. 400-year history of fire in Timbers Research Station,Tallahassee,FL. 101:176-186. Volume 39 (1),2019 Natural Areas Journal 57 �nwnrnarieri Frnm•hffnwilhinnna nrnlinurnnl_gtNnttirar-Araaa-.Ienrrnal nn 11 MAr 901S1 1/23/2020 Mail-Jeff Denoncour-Oullook Reply all i Delete Junk Black ... Weir Hill Habitat Maanagement Getting too much email?Unsubscribe � I Tim Simmons <tseslmrnons@comcast,net> Ts C Wed 1/22/2020 8:26 AM Jeff Denoncour I I Hahn et al NAJ 2019 Fire and ... 939 KB 2 attachments(3 MB) Download all Save all to OneDrive-TTOR Jeff, Attached are a letter and an article in response to your request for a description of potential impacts of management to North Andover's water supply. The habitats at Weir Hill are of regional significance due to their rarity and ability to support imperiled species. Please let me know if I can provide further clarification or I detail. E Tim Simmons 3 Simmons Stewardship and Conservation Ecology j https:/Iouttook.office.com/malVdeeplink?version=2020011305,14&popoutv2=i 111 i i DIVISION OF FISHERIES & WILDLIFE 1 Rabbit Hill(toad,Westborough,MA 01581 p;(508)389-5306 l f:(508)389-7840 • � • MASS.60VIMASSWILDLIFE i MASSWILDLIFE October 21, 2019 Russell Hopping The Trustees of Reservations 200 High Street Boston MA 02110 RE: Project Location: Weir Hill Reservation Project Description: Barrens Habitat Restoration NHESP Tracking No.: 07-21668 Dear Applicant: Thank you for submitting the Habitat Management Plan to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the MA Division of Fisheries&Wildlife(the Division)for review pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act(MESA) (MGL c.131A) and its implementing regulations(321 CMR 10.00). The Division hereby approves the submitted management plan, provided the following conditions are met: Prior to the Start of Work,timber harvesting associated with the young forest creation must have a Department of Conservation and Recreation approved Forest Cutting Plan if it exceeds MBF and/or Cordwood minimums. Therefore,the proposed activities are exempt from MESA review pursuant to 321 CMR 10.14 which states, "[t]he following Projects and Activities shall be exempt from the requirements of 321 CMR 10.18 through 10.23...". (15)The active management of State-listed Species habitat, including but not limited to mowing, cutting, burning, or pruning of vegetation,or removing exotic or invasive species,for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing the habitat for the benefit of rare species, provided that the management is carried out in accordance with a habitat management plan approved in writing by the Division" Any changes to the proposed activities or any additional work beyond that described in the approved management plan may require a filing with the Division pursuant to MESA. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Emily Holt, Endangered Species Review Assistant at 508-389-6385. MASSWILDLIFE Sincerely, 44'e- 16&w� Everose Schluter, Ph.D. Assistant Director MASSWILDLIFE i Commonwealth of Massachusetts Division of - Fisheries & Wildlife MassW�Id1ife �, Wayne F, MacCallum,Director February 12,2010 Tracy Grazia MA Division of Fisheries&Wildlife North Drive,Route 135 Westborough MA 01581 RE: Project Location: Appleton Farms Grass Ride's Liatris Field;Ward Hill Reservation's Boston Hill;Weir Hill Project Description: Prescribed Fire Programs NHESP Tracking No.: 08-25344;09-26075,07-21668 Dear Ms. Grazia, Thank you for submitting the plan amendments to the prescribed fire programs at the subject sites to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program(NHESP)of the MA Division of Fisheries&Wildlife for review pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act(MESA) (MGL c,131A) and its implementing regulations(321 CMR 10.00). The NHESP hereby approves the proposed amendments and therefore,the proposed habitat management activities are exempt from MESA review pursuant to 321 CMR 10.14 which states:"jtjhe following Projects and Activities shall be exempt from the requirements of 321 CMR 10.18 through 10.23... (11)The active management of State-listed Species habitat,including but not limited to mowing,cutting,burning,or pruning of vegetation,or removing exotic or invasive species,for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing the habitat for the benefit of rare species,provided that the management is carried out in accordance with a habitat management plan approved in writing by the Division" Any changes to the proposed activities or any additional work beyond that described in the approved management plan may require a filing with the NHESP pursuant to MESA.If you have any questions about this letter,please contact Tim Simmons,Restoration Ecologist,at 508-389-6325. Sincerely, 7J-r�� ., X,1�1 Thomas W.French,Ph.D. Assistant Director www.niasswildli e.w Division of Fisheries and Wildlife Field Headquarters,One Rabbit Hill Road,Westborough,MA 01581 (508)389-6300 Fax(508)389-7890 An Agency of the Departinent offish and Game i 214/2020 T'S Weir Hill 21 1 2020.jpg I i To:North Andover Conservation and Planning Departments i Subject:TTOR's Weir Hill Habitat Management and Water Supply From:Tim Simmons,Simmons Stewardship and Conservation Ecology > Date;21 January 2020 I Dear Commissioners, Staff at TTOR asked me to supply comments to your Departments concerning potential impacts from their proposed habitat management activities to North Andover's water supply and Lake Cochichewiok, Prior to partial retirement in 20161 was a Restoration Ecologist with the MA Natural Heritage &Endangered Species Program where I directed the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife's Fire Management Program.Currently I serve on the North Atlantic Fire Science Exchange as a community representative and the Massachusetts Representative to the Society of Ecological Restoration's New England Chapter.I have over 35 years of fire management experience. Tire potential sources of impacts to water quality are mechanical mowing and logging activities, prescribed fire operations and fire management.I am assured that all best management policies for Forest I Cutting Practices are followed by TTOR and their contractors so will focus on fire operations and Pre effects in this letter. Tire greatest threat to water duality from fire operations would be pollution from spilled hydrocarbons used to operate equipment and as the primary ignition fuel applied via drip torches.Drip torches use a 3:1 ratio of kerosene or diesel fuel to regular gasoline.Drip torches are filled/refilled in the confines of rubber or plastic tubs to prevent and recapture any spillage that may occur.The fuel mixture is consumed during firing operations,This eliminates any probability of these materials from entering the lake or tributary streams and intermittent streams entering the lake. Wildland fires are classified by their intensity and severity where intensity is a measure of energy released and severity is a measure of the amount of vegetation consumed by a fire.The primary by products of prescribed fire are ash and charcoal.Prescribed fires are carefully.planned events with legally binding restrictions defined for acceptable fire intensities and severities.A high severity fire could exacerbate erosion when all organic matter including partially decayed litter are consumed,High intensity and high severity fires are excluded fi•oim acceptable conditions in the Pre management plan for Weir Hill. Charcoal,in the Northeast,is primarily water borne,Most of the charcoal generated by a prescribed fire percolates in the leaf litter and becomes trapped in duff,the intersection of recent leaf litter and previous leaf fall that is partially decayed. A recent review,Hahn et al,2019,of prescribed fire summarizes the potential physical,chemical and biological impacts to water quality in the temperate forests of Northeastern North America.Their findings determined that prescribed fires present minimal risk to water duality.For further exploration of these findings and their implications at Weir Hill 1 can offer a field visit to the site if your Departments desire. Hahn et at,2019.Prescribed Fire Effects on Water Quality and Freshwater Ecosystems in Moist-Temperate Eastern North America.Not.Areas lour.39:46-57.Attached Kolka,R.K.2012,Effects of fire and fuels management on water quality in eastern North America,Pp.282-293 in R.LaFayette,M.T,Brooks,J.F.Potyondy,L.Audin,S.L.Krieger,and C,C.Trettin,eds,,Cumulative Watershed Effects of Fuel Management in the Eastern United States.General Technical Report SRS-161,US Department of Agriculture Forest Service,Southern Research Station,Asheville,NC. https://drive.google.comldrivelfoldersllxZohURI!FpPIIKXnLpjNukVeMJ46iPbt 1/1 I I U i a � ` January 23d, 2020 North Andover Planning Board 129 Main Street North Andover, MA 01845 RE: Habitat Management at Weir Hill,North Andover, MA Dear Planning Board, In 2019 The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) were awarded a MassWildlife Habitat V nagement Grant (httL)s://www.lilass, pov! ,irides/inasswildlife-habitat-iiiaiia -yeiiient- rant- pro gram-mhin r ) to conduct approximately 31.5 acres of forest management (heavy mowing (brush hogging), mulching, tree removal and invasive species control) to improve barrens and savannah habitat at Weir Hill in North Andover. This management is part of The Trustees long- term goal to restore up to 80 acres of rare barrens habitat and associated species at the property while also reducing the threat from wild fire. Restoration work at Weir Hill began in 2006 after identifying the ecological significance of this location, and the recognition by both the Town of North Andover and the Trustees that the work will benefit fire suppression - in an area that has a long history of wildfire. A portion of the proposed project is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act,North Andover Wetlands Protection By-Laws, and the Lake Cochichewick Watershed Protection District Buffer Zones. The Trustees are submitting a Notice of Intent to the Conservation Commission and requesting a Waiver of a Special Permit with the Planning Board to conduct restoration work funded by the Habitat Management Grant and ongoing routine management activities to maintain and restore habitat at Weir Hill. Given the significance of Lake Cochichewick being an Outstanding Resource Waters, the Trustees feel the need to submit this as a complete package to both the Conservation Commission and Planning Board. All prior restoration efforts beginning in 2006, including canopy thinning, heavy mowing, and prescribed fire were approved by the Department of Conservation and Recreation Forestry Service Program (DCR), the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board, This Notice of Intent is being submitted for new restoration work being funded by the grant and serves as an opportunity to record and outline ongoing maintenance needs to perpetuate this significant habitat under a singular filing. If new restoration work deviates from what is proposed in this plan, new filings and waiver requests will be submitted to the Conservation Commission and Planning Board. Grant funded work will consist of 13 acres of canopy thinning that will require a Forest Cutting Plan which will be submitted to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Service Forestry Program and simultaneously to the Conservation Commission. Canopy thinning will occur outside wetland buffer zones,but within the Watershed Protection District, The Forest Cutting Plan will not cover canopy thinning activities subject to wetlands regulations but not the watershed district regulations. The cutting plan will not cover brush mowing and routine management activities within wetland and watershed buffers zones, which is the reason why a Notice of Intent and Waiver Request with the Planning Board is needed. Canopy thinning will not be considered as a routine management activity and new wetland filings and waiver requests will filed if additional canopy thinning is proposed in buffer zones. Routine management activities in buffer zones will consist of heavy mowing,prescribed fire and invasive species control within restored areas. Mowing has been used as a routine maintenance tool within previously restored areas following the initial restoration. New areas of heavy mowing are proposed as part of the grant funded work and will be maintained with routine mowing in the future. Heavy mowing is critical to maintaining the habitat by preventing the succession of barrens habitat becoming forest and promoting biodiversity. Heavy mowing will occur in the Watershed Protection District Buffer Zones, the 100 foot Wetland Buffer Zone adjacent to Lake Cochichewick, and a small shrub swamp located in the southwest corner of the property,near the canoe station. No heavy mowing will take place in the 25ft NDZ,but it is necessary to conduct prescribed fire in in this zone due to the existing trail that runs along the lake functioning as a fire break used to control fire. Future, routine mowing will take place on an as needed basis in response to vegetation height and species composition. Prescribed fire and invasive species control are included as routine maintenance and will be essential for perpetuating and restoring this important habitat. Prescribed fire strictly follows a comprehensive burn plan included in this NOI and will occur within buffer zones. Invasive species are almost absent within the restoration area and minimal control is needed but controlling invasive species as they occur will be essential for preventing their spread across the restored landscape. Beginning in 2001, The Trustees made a concerted effort to understand and detail the ecology of Weir Hill. Significant investments have been made by the Trustees and the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife to restore and maintain this unique and ecologically important habitat. Additional restoration efforts and subsequent management will expand the most ecologically diverse components of the barrens community at Weir Hill and promote habitat for an array of species including those that are rare and declining. This work will reduce the future threat from catastrophic wildfire by reducing fire severity and will continue a long partnership between the Trustees, North Andover Fire Department and DCR Forest Fire Control, to conduct both prescribed fire and wildfire management at Weir Hill. Sincerely, Jeffrey Denoncour Coastal Ecologist, The Trustees of Reservations jdenoncour@thetrustees.org, 978-356-4351 X4037 i Barrens Habitat Management Project Weir Hill in North r' x Andover, MA Project Description In 2019 The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees)were awarded a MassWildlife Habitat Management Grant(https:l/www.mass.,,ovlguides/m isswildlife-habitat-manageine►it- pro Fran-mhrn , ) to conduct approximately 31.5 acres of forest management (heavy mowing (brush hogging), mulching, tree removal and invasive species control) to improve barrens and savannah habitat at Weir Hill in North Andover. This management is pant of The Trustees long- term goal to restore up to 80 acres of rare barrens habitat and associated species at the property while also reducing the threat from wild fire. Restoration work at Weir Hill began in 2006 after identifying the ecological significance of this location, and the recognition by both the Town of North Andover and the Trustees that the work will benefit fire suppression- in an area that has a long history of wildfire. A portion of the proposed project is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act,North Andover Wetlands Protection By-Laws, and the Lake Cochichewick Watershed Protection District Buffer Zones. The Trustees are submitting a Notice of Intent to the Conservation Commission and requesting a Waiver of a Special Permit with the Planning Board to conduct restoration work funded by the Habitat Management Grant and ongoing routine management activities to maintain and restore habitat at Weir Hill. Given the significance of Lake Cochichewick being an Outstanding Resource Waters, the Trustees feel the need to submit this as a complete package to both the Conservation Commission and Planning Board. All prior restoration efforts beginning in 2006, including canopy thinning,heavy mowing, and prescribed fire were approved by the Massachusetts Division of Fishers and Wildlife, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Forestry Service Program(DCR), the Conservation Commission and the Planning Board. This Notice of Intent is being submitted for new restoration work being funded by the grant and serves as an opportunity to record and outline ongoing maintenance needs to perpetuate this significant habitat under a singular filing. If new restoration work deviates from what is proposed in this plan, new filings and waiver requests will be submitted to the Conservation Commission and Planning Board. Grant funded work will consist of 13 acres of canopy thinning that will requite a Forest Cutting Plan which will be submitted to the Department of Conservation and Recreation(DCR) Service Forestry Program and simultaneously to the Conservation Commission. Canopy thinning will occur outside wetland buffer zones, but within the Watershed Protection District. The Forest Cutting Plan will cover canopy thinning activities subject to wetlands regulations but not the watershed district regulations. The cutting plan will not cover brush mowing and routine management activities within wetland and watershed buffers zones, which is a reason why a Notice of Intent and Waiver Request with the Planning Board is needed. Canopy thinning will not be considered as a routine management activity and new wetland filings and waiver requests will filed if additional canopy thinning is proposed in buffer zones. Routine management activities in buffer zones will consist of heavy mowing(brush hogging), prescribed fire and invasive species control within restored areas. Mowing has been used as a routine maintenance tool within previously restored areas following the initial restoration. New areas of heavy mowing are proposed as pant of the grant funded work and will be maintained with routine mowing in the future. Heavy mowing is critical to maintaining the habitat by preventing the succession of barrens habitat becoming forest and promoting biodiversity and suppression of wildfire. Heavy mowing will occur in the Watershed Protection District Buffer Zones, and the 100-foot Wetland Buffer Zone adjacent to Lake Cochichewick, and small shrub swamp located in the southwest corner of the property,near the canoe station. No heavy mowing will take place in the 25ft NDZ,but it is necessary to conduct prescribed fire in this zone due to the existing trail that runs along the lake functioning as a fire break used to control fire. Future, routine mowing will take place on an as needed basis in response to vegetation height,species composition fuel load. Prescribed fire and invasive species control are included as routine maintenance and will be essential for perpetuating and restoring this important habitat. Prescribed fire strictly follows a comprehensive burn plan included in this NOI and will occur within buffer zones, Invasive species are almost absent within the restoration area and minimal control is needed but controlling invasive species as they occur will be essential for preventing their spread across the restored landscape. Beginning in 2001, The Trustees made a concerted effort to understand and detail the ecology of Weir Hill. Significant investments have been made by the Trustees and the Massachusetts Division of Fish and Wildlife to restore and maintain this unique and ecologically important habitat. Additional restoration efforts and subsequent management will expand the most ecologically diverse components of the barrens community at Weir Hill and promote habitat for an array of species including those that are rare and declining. This work will reduce the future threat from catastrophic wildfire by reducing fie severity and will continue a long partnership between the Trustees,North Andover Fire Department and DCR Forest Fire Control, to conduct both prescribed fire and wildfire management at Weir Hill. Background Weir Hill is a 194-acre property owned and managed by The Trustees. The natural landscape of Weir Hill has been shaped by its physical characteristics—a double drumlin comprised of,poor, well drained glacial soils that slope into Lake Cochichewick— and a 6,000 year legacy of human influence. Approximately 80 acres of the 194-acre property has been burnt on an irregular basis, creating what may be one of northeastern Massachusetts' better examples of a fire influenced landscape. The well-drained soils in combination with fire, has resulted in several plants uncommon to the area occurring in abundance, including both scrub oak(Quereus ilic folia) and dwarf chinkapin oak(Q.prinoides), Given the property's long association with fire, the resulting plant community provides habitat for a number of species that are fire obligates, including the state-listed, and candidate for federal listing - frosted elfin butterfly(Callophrys it-its) and state listed coastal plain euchlaena moth(Euchlaena madusaria). In addition, this area provides habitat for a variety of Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the Massachusetts Wildlife Action Plan(SWAP) and is a significant site for this type habitat in Massachusetts. The project will provide benefit to many barrens affiliates including the rare purple-needle-grass (Threatened), violet bush-clover(Watch-Listed), whorled milkwort(Watch-Listed) frosted elfin (Special Concern), coastal plain euchlaena (Special Concern),prairie warbler(PIF -III), gray catbird(PIF-III), eastern towhee(PIF-IIl),brown thrasher, indigo bunting, and northern harrier (Threatened). As well bird's foot violet(Viola pedata), scrub oak (Quercus ilic folia and Q. prinoides), and wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria). Since 2006, The Trustees has been conrnitted to a long-term landscape-scale habitat restoration on approximately 50 acres of the 80-acres of fire influenced landscape. Through canopy thinning, routine mowing and prescribed fire (most recently in June of this year) the Trustees have improved upon and maintained this extraordinary habitat and portions of the 50 acres now exhibit the desired results. While progress has been made, additional restoration efforts are needed to achieve restoration success. This project will finish canopy thinning on 13 acres and conduct heavy mowing on 18.5 acres, within the 50 acres of active management. These actions will help complete the restoration by establishing desired light levels and habitat structure(forest to woodland, <l=20% canopy cover) to areas currently experiencing heavy shade. This will help encourage diverse and desirable herbaceous growth(e.g.,Baptisia tinctoria the host plant for the frosted elfin), and a robust shrub layer(e.g., early low blueberry nectar source for frosted elfin and other pollinators)to support a suite of species relying on this habitat type. Areas targeted for treatment, currently do not support critical host plants for race invertebrates (e.g., frosted elfin), high herbaceous plant diversity needed to support health pollinator populations, and the remaining low ericaccous shrubs(blueberries)mostly do not bloom and are in low abundance. Figure 1. Grant Project Map and Treatment Areas i. A 1 . } ailing 61WAS 10111r �a Fi ure 3.Extent Fire Influenced Landsca e 80 acres . WIN RON Existing Conditions and Treatment Plan for Grant Funded Restoration Treatment Unit 1 (ST-2): Improve woodland/savannah habitat and habitat connectivity for at-risk species. This area has a dense 80% canopy of primarily young to mature oak and hickory. The understory consists of sparse shrubs and herbaceous cover, This unit is located between two fields with a diverse species composition currently managed by routine mowing. To maintain habitat post restoration,heavy mowing and invasive species control will occur on a routine basis. Task 1: Thin canopy f•orn approximately 80%to 20%on I acre, leaving large trees intact, to reduce shade and encourage growth of ericaceotts shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, improve habitat for suite of SWAP species and habitat connectivity between existing grasslands (contractor, February---June 2020). Task 2:Mow and nudch understory shrub layer-and grind downed woody debris and existing stumps if possible, on I acre to encourage growth of ericaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, remove invasive species, and to improve habitat for suite of SWAP species and habitat connectivity between existing grasslands (contractor, February—June 2020). Treatment Unit 2 (ST-1); Reduce canopy to restore woodland/savannah habitat for at-risk species. This is the primary unit where canopy thinning will occur. Canopy cover ranges from roughly 40%-70% consisting of mostly sparse mature oak and hickory with an average DBH of 13 inches. The understory consists of sparse to dense shrubs including hazelnut, maple leaf viburnum and other more shade tolerant woody plants. Herbaceous plants mostly consist of grasses, goldenrods, and other plants like tick trefoils. The existing plant community does not yet represent desired conditions. Currently, routine mowing is conducted to manage understory conditions. To maintain habitat post restoration,heavy mowing,prescribed fire and invasive species control will occur on a routine basis. Task 1: Selective tree thinning on 10 acres to bring canopy cover to approximately 20%, leaving large oaks and hickories, to reduce shade and encourage growth of ericaceotts shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity and inrprove habitat for suite of SPYAP species, (contractor, February -Ane 2020). Treatment Unit 3 (ST-3); Improve woodland/savannah habitat for at-risk species. Canopy thinning was conducted within this treatment unit in 2015, This thinning released the understory, and improved barrens habitat structure. Desired plants have become more abundant, but stump sprouts have matured and need to be mowed to reset understory conditions and reduce shade. One acre of canopy thinning will be conducted in the southern section of this Unit. On this acre the canopy and subcanopy cover is greater than 80%, composed of oak and aspen with an average DBH of 9 inches, and little understory growth is present. To maintain habitat post restoration, heavy mowing,prescribed fire and invasive species control will occur on a routine basis. Task 1: Thin canopy front approximately 80%to 20%on I acre, leaving large oaks intact, to reduce shade and encourage growth of ericaceotts shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, and inrprove habitatfor suite of SWAP species. This will complete canopy thinning within this managed burn unit and will tie the existing barr-ens habitat into a maintained free break. (contractor; February-June 2020). Task 2: .Moiv and mulch understoty shrub layer and grind downed woody debris and existing stumps if possible, on II acres to encourage growth of ericaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, remove invasive species, and to improve habitat for suite of SWAP species (contractor, February--June 2020), Treatment Unit 4(ST-4): Improve woodland/savannah habitat for at-risk species. The western half of this management unit has never received canopy thinning. However, a prescribed fire was conducted in 2016 that resulted in the top kill of some susceptible trees. As a result, the canopy is more open, and areas of the understory have been released, resulting in denser vegetation in the understory, Dead tree limbs are now scattered throughout the western portion of the unit making routine management challenging and preventing additional prescribed fire due to the heavy fuel loads. The eastern portion of the unit has been in active management, through initial canopy thinning, routine snowing, and prescribed fire, and exhibits the desired habitat for restoration efforts. The one-acre area identified for canopy thinning in the northern section has not received any management but shows a history of fire influence. This section has a dense canopy and sub canopy of primarily white pine and red oak with an average DBH of 11,5in. The understory consists of sparse shrubs like blueberry, sheep laurel, and few herbaceous plants. To maintain habitat post restoration, heavy mowing, prescribed fire and invasive species control will occur on a routine basis. Task 1: Thin canopy from approxinurtely 80010 to 20%on I acre, leaving large oaks intact, to reduce shade and encourage growth of eeicaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, and irrrprove habitat for suite of SWAP species. This will finish canopy thinning efforts along the eastern half of the fare influenced landscape. (contractor, Februatyy-June 2020) Task 2:Mow and mulch understory, small diameter trees and grind clowned woody debris on 9.5 acres to encourage growth of eeicaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, remove invasive species, and improve habitat for suite of SWAP species, and habitat connectivity (contractor, February—June 2020) Photo 1. Example of Desired Habitat Conditions 1 $ qr - r s i !_' 1'1F y "C k fry rry kS�i� rY`•Y,�I# �`_}�' r'{�.�>•F `>��f��, '..k�'s, °tf 'W g} iw+,• � tiZ•.ra r icr sa r* .r t { s e 7`'�n s • >Y # { a r 6 } "y a 'y �n•r,f�s 4 S a c -: kz,U, r'�kA, ,�' }}s n��" ,r cy� � �t isrir"� g s � s � `p�r r d 7 �--• r If. - � - �•,, (5',F.<,q !Mi`r'`€ &tiia� �s, 4 kl r.�'ir ! Fr"�! n4rV SyCp� �r'rya r ti. � � tf'• ` �M i `' ,} Y'r l'n ,"�" t + �f f� S ys \ Ri '1� .�. '��r r� ,• � t�'7P'� r r. "" i Yi i�.� �� Srt �6'i � s•.. t. a ft'"��a'S "S ' F= � -- ♦z ' �. rE t �':�"v. � r�'Sf trip `�� fFr�- 4 �,3a - � s r v i�1 # ti •.1 _"q - .-,i{ i�,+ XsSjr Y*� ,y,F,13 �� .` `rc� Y?z •, C� s y:' ysi.,,.P y�Fr 1'3 � K k ,! r �, r�� rC arm a-' 1 � " � p�p � ka,�n� 1rn�� h.((rr�� l #q. s� � i'y...•�1�T� U hf R�'`t e; 4p 1 d u y r YP v3� r � sm `Y -� b!� r�p'��,x,s \\\N {" t 1_ :� �yt �s.F� fSE4, F• . . 1 14 4l 1 3 sJ�:i��f •�' �'ewi�f r 'F%' � s !i/�ti y:�„��' � �xr, m�'. � � rk�l` NO �"7�.+y. a e� �'4 '� sd:�+ P+r�+ v''�`S �X�• s s i, i �rP", *�,� � ;;,�.ddP i4�+r'�� Y1 � =r'k`✓r t p� ,.C, �gf �� f s p`'7 r �{ � a�hr�4'�tV g,,'t"�'t�/`°�, ,� ! y�`�'.�• °'��i"�l,r r � � 1 � . gr�, • 1 1 E i 1 � i I � 1 • 1 r The primary access road for canopy thinning equipment crosses an intermittent stream(Figure 1) that will be dry at the time of crossing, This activity will be covered under the Forest Cutting Plan,but the same stream crossing will also be used for other forestry activities aside from canopy thinning, The stream bed is approximately 8-feet wide; the banks are approximately fl- inches high and gradually slope to the stream center. The streambed is primarily rocky with a mix of organic soils, Crossing will occur within the footprint of an existing trail/historical woods road, and wetland approved crossing mats will be positioned to prevent streambed compaction. Mat positioning will likely include mats on both sides and parallel to the stream, with multiple mats placed perpendicular to the stream to span the crossing. Previous thinning projects that have crossed this stream, has resulted in little to no impacts to the resource. Fi ure 4.Ma of Work Within Wetland Buffer Zones ti o Buffer Work Within Watershed District Buffer Zones Table 2. Estimated Scale of Work Within Watershed District Buffer Zones (square feet Lake Cochichewick Watershed District Buffer Zone Square Feet Acres Heavy Mowing and Prescribed Fire 250'Non-Disturbance Zone 247,357 5,68 325'Non-Discharge Zone 35,203 0.81 Canopy Thinning 250'Non-Disturbance Zone 22,203 0.51 325'Non-Discharge Zone 36,253 0,83 Edge of Wetland Resource Within Watershed District 100'Non-Disturbance Zone 982 0.02 325'Non-Discharge Zone 105,690 2.43 Total Work In Watershed District Buffer Zones Non-Disturbance zone 248,339 5.70 Non-Discharge Zone 171,2301 3.93 A portion of the proposed restoration work falls within the Town of North Andover Watershed Protection District. Lots where restoration will occur were created prior to October 24"', 1994 and the restoration work is subject to the 250' and 100' Non-Disturbance and 325' Non- Discharge buffer zones. Vegetation cutting,prescribed fire and the limited use of herbicide are the three activities The Trustees are requesting a waiver of a special permit to conduct the restoration work. Canopy thinning and heavy mowing associated with grant funding will occur in the buffer zones, in addition to future routine management identified in the following section. Work will overlap and all canopy thinning will occur in areas where heavy mowing and routine management activities will occur. An estimated 248,839 sq/ft of work will occur in the Non-Disturbance Zone and 171,230 sq/ft will occur in the Non-discharge zone. Work will not result in changes to topography, and no structures will be created. Figure 5.Estimated Work within Watershed District Buffer Zones (HM—Heavy Mowing, CT=Canopy Thinning) 2 0 u� i N t9e Routine Management Activities To maintain this important habitat into the future the Trustees will conduct mowing,prescribed fire, and invasive species control as needed. Routine maintenance, especially for mowing and prescribed fire will occur on semi-annual and revolving basis with the goal of maintaining a mosaic of vegetation heights and enhancing biodiversity while preventing fuel build up to suppress the threat of wildfire. Mowing will typically occur when greater than 10% of understory vegetation is starting to exceed 3 feet in height. In general, areas within the management areas will be mowed every three years, but not all areas in the same year. Ideally prescribed fire would occur once every 5-7 years per burn unit with the routine management area. The presence of invasive species is sparse throughout the 80-acre restoration area. However, invasive species are present in low numbers and control is needed to prevent spread and keep the area free of invasive species to preserve the sites significant ecological value. Currently glossy buckthorn(Frangula alms), and honeysuckle(Lonicera rnorrowfl) are the most prevalent, The Trustees would like to control invasive species within areas that are actively managed. Methods of invasive species control will he highly selective using small amounts of herbicide by licensed applicators. Methods will consist of hand-pulling, or herbicide applications using back-pack sprayers for foliar spray of glyphosate or triclopyr(e,g., 2-5% solution) or cut and paint applications using application wands applied to cut stems (Buckthorn BlasterV) containing glyphosate or trielopyr(typically a 25% solution). Herbicide in application wands is contained and small amounts are released through a sponge tip when applied to a cut stem. All mixing of product will occur outside the buffer zones to minimize potential impacts in the event of accidental spills. In the future,heavy mowing will be conducted by the Trustees with a tractor and brush hog in the wetland and Watershed Protection District buffer zones. Contractor will use slightly larger equipment(Photo 2)for the purposes of initial restorative mowing funded by the Habitat Management Grant needed to prepare the site for future mowing by the Trustees. Prescribed Ere strictly follows the approved Burn Plan included in the Notice of Intent Filing. Canopy thinning is not part of routine management and will only be conducted during this project. Additional canopy thinning will require separate wetland filings or cutting plans in the future. Figure 6. Area and Extent of On oin Routine Mana ement i ^r Resource Area Impact Management and Protection Since the Trustees began restoration efforts in 2006, see Figure 2, there has been no erosion or wetland resource area impacts as a result of restoration efforts, vegetation has responded favorably, and the restoration efforts have increased the areas ecological significance and vegetative cover. Canopy thinning and heavy mowing will be conducted using tracked machinery with a rotary cutting head and drum style mower, which will result in limited soil disturbance, Work will be conducted in 2020 when the ground is frozen, or when conditions are at their driest to further reduce soil disturbance. Canopy thinning will selectively remove the smallest or weakest trees leaving large healthy oaks and hickory intact. An estimated total of 90 trees will be removed from areas identified for canopy thinning. Small diameter trees and shrubs will be mowed and vegetation will be allowed to re-sprout. Most of the work within buffer zones will occur in treatment Unit 4, where a prescribed fire was conducted in 2016 that resulted in the top kill of susceptible vegetation creating canopy conditions that resemble our target for habitat restoration, The purpose of the additional heavy mowing is to continue to reduce shade and increase understory vegetation cover and diversity, where understory growth is sparse. This will benefit habitat for target species and others, in addition to the wetland resource area by increasing understory vegetative cover for soil stability and water filtration in and adjacent to the buffer zone. Mulching dead woody material in Unit 4 as a result of the prescribed fire and in other areas will reduce fuel loads and minimize the severity of fires if they were to occur. Currently this downed material in Unit 4 prevents the use of prescribed fire in the foreseeable future, due to the amount of smoke and smoldering that would result if the area were to burn. Generally, all restoration activities, and annual maintenance will reduce the severity of wild fire on this property through vegetation control and preventing fire from accessing the canopy. An existing trail has been maintained that runs along the edge of Lake Cochichewick. No cutting will occur south of this trail leaving a dense canopy and vegetated edge between the lake and the trail. The Trustees have been committed to the protection of this lake edge and in recent years we have installed split rail fencing, terraced steps and revegetated areas to reduce erosion impacts to the lake edge and encourage visitors to remain on trial. To reduce the risk of hydrocarbons being released into wetland resource areas and the watershed as a result of accidental fuel spills, or leaking equipment components, both contractors and Trustees staff will be required to have spill kits while operating equipment. Additionally, refueling or cleaning of equipment will not occur within 100 feet of wetland resource areas. Trustees staff will be regularly present throughout the course of the restoration work, monitoring site conditions and forestry contractor to ensure activities are not impacting the resource area. Monitoring of vegetation, wildlife, and site conditions will be conducted post restoration on a regular basis. Any impacts to the resource area discovered during monitoring will be corrected by the Trustees. Photos and Example of Barrens Habitat Restoration Project Conducted at Trustees owned Long Point Wildlife Refuge on Martha Vineyard. Below is a collection of photographs to provide an example of a barrens habitat restoration project involving heavy xn.owing at Long Point Wildlife Refuge on Martha's Vineyard conducted in the winter of 2019. This project was also funded by a MassWildlife Habitat Management grant and is similar to the work proposed at Weir Hill. With the goal of maintaining the habitat in an early successional state to provide continued benefit for species relying on this habitat type. The work was conducted by TR Landworks Inc, who will be the contractor performing the work at Weir Hill. The photos will provide an example of the equipment used,habitat conditions prior to mowing, conditions directly after mowing and the regrowth of vegetation during the growing season- the same year mowing took place(2019). Photo 2.Mowing Equi ment and Existing Conditions (Winter 2019 w / Photo 3. Completed Restoration and Heavy Mowing(Winter 2019) wr _ 3 '+y^ , r m Photo 4. Post Restoration and Growin Season Conditions Summer of 2019 ' 1 1 1 • 1 � i. rx - f f I� r 1 ��r� -'t•' ' ti h m' y F !! 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' IM �r - h j 3} `{fe'�. s i4 .Y to ' r ; �j k j S r, fA e f k r� OA 4. �, vl 521 Fr fJ ,t 6 Barrens Habitat Management Project Weir Hill in North Andover, MA Project Description In 2019 The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees)were awarded a MassWildlife Habitat M gsment Grant htt s://www.mass. ovl uides/nrasswildlife-habitat-mana ement- rant- program-mhm-u) to conduct approximately 31.5 acres of forest management(heavy mowing, mulching,tree removal and invasive species control) to improve barrens and savannah habitat at Weir Hill in North Andover. This management is part of The Trustees long-tern goal to restore up to 80 acres of rare barrens habitat and associated species at the property while also reducing the threat from wild fire. A portion of the proposed work is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act and North Andover Wetlands Protection By-Laws. The work will include 13 acres of canopy thinning that will require a Forest Cutting Plan which will be submitted to the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) Service Forestry Program and simultaneously to the Conservation Commission.All canopy thinning will occur outside wetland buffer zones,however equipment and materials will cross an intermittent stream located within the primary access road to the cutting site. This crossing will be covered within.the Forest Cutting Plan. The cutting plan will cover activities associated with canopy thinning,but not heavy brush mowing proposed within restoration treatment areas. The Trustees is submitting a Request for Determination of Applicability for heavy mowing proposed in the 25ft NDZ, 5Oft NBZ and 100ft Buffer Zone adjacent to Lake Cochichewick, in addition to a small section of heavy mowing within the outer edge of the 100ft buffer zone of a small shrub swamp located in the southwest corner of the property, near the canoe station. In addition to the wetland's protection regulations, the proposed restoration work falls within the Town of North Andover Watershed Protection District buffer zones surrounding Lake Cochichewick, and both canopy thinning and heavy mowing are proposed in these zones. The Trustees is requesting a waiver of special permit with the Planning Board to conduct the work and long term maintenance. All prior restoration efforts beginning in 2006, including heavy mowing, canopy thinning, and prescribed fire were approved by DCR, the Conservation Commission and Town Planning Board, 1 Background Weir Hill is a 194-acre property owned and managed by The Trustees. The natural landscape of Weir Hill has been shaped by its physical characteristics---a double drumlin comprised of,poor, well drained glacial soils that slope into Lake Cochichewick—and a 6,000 year legacy of human influence. Approximately 80 acres of the 194-acre property has been burnt on an irregular basis, creating what may be one of northeastern Massachusetts' better examples of a fire influenced landscape. The well-drained soils in combination with fire,has resulted in several plants uncommon to the area occurring in abundance, including both scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia) and dwarf chinquapin oak (Q.prinoides). Given the property's long association with fire,the resulting plant community provides habitat for a number of species that are fie obligates, including the state-listed and candidate for federal listing-frosted elfin butterfly(Callophiys irus) and state listed coastal plain euchlaena moth(Euchlaena madusaria). In addition, this area provides habitat for a variety of Species of Greatest Conservation Need identified in the Massachusetts Wildlife Action Plan(SWAP) and is a significant site for this type habitat in Massachusetts. The project will provide benefit to many barrens affiliates including the rare purple-needle-grass (Threatened),violet bush-clover(Watch-Listed),whorled milkwort(Watch- Listed) frosted elfin(Special Concern), coastal plain euchlaena(Special Concern),prairie warbler(PIF-III), gray catbird(PIF-111), eastern towhee(PIF-III),brown thrasher, indigo bunting, and northern harrier(Threatened). As well bird's foot violet(Viola pedata), scrub oak (Querctts ilicifolia and Q.prinoides), and wild indigo (Baptisia tinctoria). Since 2006, The Trustees has been committed to a long-term landscape-scale habitat restoration on approximately 50 acres of the 80-acres of fire influenced landscape. Through canopy thinning,routine mowing and prescribed fire(most recently in June of this year)the Trustees have improved upon and maintained this extraordinary habitat and portions of the 50 acres now exhibit the desired results. While progress has been made, additional restoration efforts are needed to achieve restoration success. This project will finish canopy thinning on 13 acres and conduct heavy mowing on 18.5 acres,within the 50 acres of active management. These actions will help complete the restoration by establishing desired light levels and habitat structure(forest to woodland,<!=20% canopy cover) to areas currently experiencing heavy shade. This will help encourage diverse and desirable herbaceous growth(e.g.,Baptisia tinctoria the host plant for the frosted elfin), and a robust shrub layer(e.g., early low blueberry nectar source for frosted elfin and other pollinators) to support a suite of species relying on this habitat type. Areas targeted for treatment, currently do not support Baptisia,herbaceous plant diversity is low, and the remaining low ericaceous shrubs mostly do not bloom and are in low abundance. 2 1 Figure 1. Project Map and Treatment Areas , I I �P P I Ig�l t, Unit 1(ST-2);f acre of heavy canopy thinning Unit2(ST-ik iD au�of 9pht canopy Ihnnktp and heavy mowing Unit 3(ST•3).11 acres:11 acres of heavy mowtg and 1 acre of canopy thinning(steep slopes) Unit 4(ST4)•9,5 acres 9,5 acres of heavy mowing and 1 acre of heavy canopy Ihtnning Figure 2. History and scope of Restoration Efforts at Weir Hill(Note: not all burn units have received reseribed fire s u P I„ 3 Mire 3.Extent Fire Influenced Lands ca e 80 acres . a Existing Conditions and Treatment Plan Treatment Unit 1 (ST-2): Improve woodland/savannah habitat and habitat connectivity for at-risk species. This area has a dense 80% canopy of primarily young to mature oak and hickory. The understory consists of sparse shrubs and herbaceous cover. This unit is located between two fields with a diverse species composition currently managed by routine mowing. To maintain habitat post restoration,heavy mowing and invasive species control will occur on a routine basis. Task 1: Thin canopy from approximately 80%to 20%on I acre, leaving large trees intact, to reduce shade and encourage growth of ericaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, improve habitat for suite of SWAP species and habitat connectivity between existing grasslands (contractor, January—Jame 2020). Task 2:Mow and mulch understory shrub layer and grind downed woody debris and existing stumps ifpossible, on I acre to encourage growth of ericaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, remove invasive species, and to improve habitat for suite of SWAP species and habitat connectivity between existing grasslands (contractor, January—June 2020). 4 E i i ' I Treatment Unit 2 (ST-1): Reduce canopy to restore woodland/savannah habitat for at-risk species. This is the primary unit where canopy thinning will occur. Canopy cover ranges from roughly 40%-70% consisting of mostly sparse mature oak and hickory with an average DBH of 13 inches. The understory consists of sparse to dense shrubs including hazelnut, maple leaf viburnum and other more shade tolerant woody plants. Herbaceous plants mostly consist of grasses, goldenrods, and other plants like tick trefoils. The existing plant community does not yet represent desired conditions. Currently, routine mowing is conducted to manage understory conditions, To maintain habitat post restoration,heavy mowing,prescribed fire and invasive species control will occur on a routine basis. Task 1: Selective tree thinning on 10 acres to bring canopy cover to approximately 20%, leaving large oaks and hickories, to reduce shade and encourage growth of ericaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity and improve habitat for suite of SWAP species. (contractor, January- June 2020). Treatment Unit 3 (ST-3): Improve woodland/savannah habitat for at-risk species, Canopy thinning was conducted within this treatment unit in 2015. This thinning released the understory, and improved barrens habitat structure. Desired plants have become more abundant,but stump sprouts have matured and need to be snowed to reset understory conditions and reduce shade. One acre of canopy thinning will be conducted in the southern section of this Unit. On this acre the canopy and subcanopy cover is greater than 80%, composed of oak and aspen with an average DBH of 9 inches, and little understory growth is present. To maintain habitat post restoration,heavy mowing,prescribed fire and invasive species control will occur on a routine basis. Task 1: Thin canopy from approximately 80% to 20%on I acre, leaving large oaks intact, to reduce shade and encourage growth of ericaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, and improve habitat for suite of SWAP species, This will complete canopy thinning within this managed burn unit and will tie the existing barrens habitat into a maintained f re break. (contractor, January-June 2020). Task 2:Mow and mulch understory shrub layer and grind downed woody debris and existing stumps ifpossible, on II acres to encourage growth of ericaceous shrubs and herbaceous plant diversity, remove invasive species, and to improve habitat for suite of SWAP species (contractor; January--June 2020). Treatment Unit 4 (ST-4): Improve woodland/savannah habitat for at-risk species. The western half of this management unit has never received canopy thinning. However, a prescribed fire was conducted in 2016 that resulted in the top kill of some susceptible trees. As a result, the canopy is more open, and areas of the understory have been released,resulting in denser vegetation in the understory. Dead tree limbs are now scattered throughout the western portion of the unit making routine management challenging and preventing additional prescribed fire due to the heavy fuel loads. The eastern portion of the unit has been in active management, through initial canopy thinning,routine mowing, and prescribed fire, and exhibits the desired habitat for restoration efforts. The one-acre area identified for canopy thinning in the northern section has not received any management but shows a history of fire influence. This section has a dense canopy and sub 5 • I 1 I ' ' / J•J f I ' � J' I J J a M rF�� r� s� )'cCr� .•:( � 1 ; r5 4r _',)Y'r`4� �� i ��$r rL�rY )',L�y�''r.{ �� >r,•A�4 r�sT�' �3 �''p17 �r� j t, s'+ y �}t�-t4�. 4.,+'�'.' �r �.r'�f��}�etfi��' "�� Edo � ovum p is kOk s � + •' ? �)2f• rt{j ,Y�`L ,i ,4a,+}' ,� } �Ya i4 *f�a'�+ 1 l� _ },e�� A '��f'J, r'StY' AitYt'SS �i4 y r�.. , ,�je, � s��yp�� E•e-�it�' � !��,` ��' ; � r ti • �{i k�. �i � , �r} 4i�,y7-3r, j �'+ t ... �l� 4' �". ��yr rv'� F 'R�'�+r`�.�1 Fyn+�"��. gv � ! i,� J{tC'�4�� ,.F'r" �t � �'�, �1�,4�YT+t r+if 1'��r ��• �E1 f� �S'" - =� w � *-•? -i��4��Y*�w" 147. r �i �rif xi �`t� �.Fr,'...:�,F a.. _ �r• _ �{ a � t��h ,�+ �f � ��E)'� `T� F��L� :�sye.l'� }+��1d�5�� `E5 tk'r�y 'a if'��gg v'47� fpti S�S77�4`'ry d`ti� t�1''�ir• T 4�� f' T.7? , V•2y' ��S #" ,'Y!,dry��'��rJ.a� 1'Y,� if� r:1'{ �� 5�.: ��t LIB ,.t� . 1t lr:�i� �� I+ v�, vr�° ) � `S ./ r �'��, a rFl1�f 4f A�� 4_ 'E ))`f��.- :,T7 t��.ei ��f:.'�lr +-1�r l • lS-a i 3 Proposed Work Within Wetland and Watershed District Buffer Zones i Table L Heavy Mowin Calculations Within Wetland Buffer Zones. Square Feet Acres Wetland Buffer Zane 25' No-Disturbance Zone 6,465 0.15 i 50' No-Build.Zone 22,129 0.51 100'Wetland Buffer Zone 72,844 1.67 Total 101438 2.33 The restoration work that is subject to wetland regulations, aside from the intermittent stream covered in the Forest Cutting Plan,will consist of mowing woody vegetation in Treatment Units 3&4. Some of this heavy mowing falls within the wetland buffer zones of Lake Cochichewick and a small shrub swamp. Work would involve 6,465 square feet of heavy mowing within the 25 foot No-Disturbance Zone,22,129 square feet in the 50 foot No-Build Zone, and 72,844 square feet in the 100 foot Wetland Buffer Zone—a total of 101,438 square feet or 2.33 acres in the wetland buffer zones. The wetland resource area was delineated using the extent of facultative and obligate wetland vegetation along the lake edge. IY ure 2.Map of Work Within Wetland Buffer Zones � I ?a r D Buller I' 7 Work Within Watershed District Buffer Zones Table 2.Estimated Scale of Work Within Watershed District Buffer Zones (square feet Lake Cochichewicic Watershed District Buffer Zone Square Feet Acres Heavy Mowing 250'Non-Disturbance Zone 247,357 5.68 325'Non-Discharge Zone 35,203 0.81 Canopy Thinning . 250'Non-Disturbance Zone 22,203 0.51 325'Non-Discharge Zone 36,253 0.83 Edge of Wetland Resource Within Watershed District 100'Nan-Disturbance Zone 982 0.02 325'Non-Discharge Zone 105,690 2.43 Total Work In Watershed District Suffer Zones Non-Disturbance Zone 248,339 5.70 Non-Discharge Zone 171,2301 3.93 A portion of the proposed restoration work falls within the Town of North Andover Watershed Protection District. Lots where restoration will occur were created prior to October 24`', 1994 and the restoration work is subject to the 250' and 100' Non-Disturbance and 325' Non- Discharge buffer zones. Vegetation cutting and the limited use of herbicide are the two activities The Trustees are requesting a waiver of a special permit to conduct the restoration work. Both canopy thinning and heavy mowing will occur in the buffer zones. Work will overlap and all canopy thinning will occur in areas where heavy mowing will occur. An estimated 248,839 sq/ft of work will occur in the Non-Disturbance Zone and 171,230 sg/ft will occur in the Non- discharge zone. 8 Figure 3. Estimated Work within Watershed District Buffer Zones (HM=Heavy Mowing, CT=Canopy Thinning) li b �c �roan n 4J h0 1 I Resource Area Impact Management and Protection Since the Trustees began restoration efforts in 2006, see Figure 2,there has been no erosion or wetland resource area impacts as result of restoration efforts, vegetation has responded favorably, and the restoration efforts have increased the areas ecological significance and vegetative cover. Canopy thinning and heavy mowing will be conducted using tracked machinery with a rotary cutting head and&-am style Hower, which will result in limited soil disturbance. Work will be conducted in 2020 when the ground is frozen, or when conditions are at their driest to further reduce soil disturbance. Canopy thinning will selectively remove the smallest or weakest trees leaving large healthy:oaks and hickory intact. Small diameter trees and shrubs will be mowed and allowed to re-sprout. 9 Most of the work within buffer zones will occur in treatment Unit 4,where a prescribed fire was conducted in 2016 that resulted in the top kill of susceptible vegetation creating canopy conditions that resemble our target for habitat restoration. The purpose of the additional heavy mowing is to continue to reduce shade and increase understory vegetation cover and diversity, where understory growth is sparse. This will benefit habitat for target species and others, in addition to the wetland resource area by increasing understory vegetative cover for soil stability and water filtration in and adjacent to the buffer zone. Mulching dead woody material in Unit 4 as a result of the prescribed fire and in other areas will reduce fuel loads and minimize the severity of fires if they were to occur. Currently this downed material in Unit 4 prevents the use of prescribed fire in the foreseeable future, due to the amount of smoke and smoldering that would result if the area were to burn. Generally, all restoration activities, and annual maintenance will reduce the severity of wild fire on this property through vegetation control and preventing fire from accessing the canopy. An existing trail has been maintained that runs along the edge of Lake Cochichewick. No cutting will occur south of this trail leaving a dense canopy and vegetated edge between the lake and the trail. The Trustees have been committed to the protection of this lake edge and in recent years we have installed split rail fencing,terraced steps and revegetated areas to reduce erosion impacts to the lake edge and encourage visitors to remain on trial. The presence of invasive species is sparse throughout the 80-acre restoration area. However, invasive species are present in low numbers and control is needed to prevent spread and keep the area free of invasive species. Currently glossy buckthorn(Frangula alnus), and honeysuckle (Lonicera morrowii) are the most prevalent. While not directly associated with this restoration project The Trustees would like to control invasive species if discovered within areas that are actively managed.Methods of invasive species control will he highly selective using small amounts of herbicide. Methods will consist of hand-pulling, or herbicide applications using back- pack sprayers for foliar spray of glyphosate or triclopyr(2-5% solution) or cut and paint applications using application wands applied to cut stems (Buckthorn Blaster(0) containing glyphosate or triclopyr(25% solution). Herbicide in application wands is contained and small amounts are released through a sponge tip when applied to a cut stem. All mixing of product will occur outside the buffer zones to minimize potential impacts in the event of accidental spills. Trustees staff will be regularly present throughout the course of the restoration work,monitoring site conditions and forestry contractor to ensure activities are not impacting the resource area. Monitoring of vegetation,wildlife, and site conditions will be conducted post restoration on a regular basis. Any impacts to the resource area discovered during monitoring will be corrected by the Trustees. 10 i i Photos and Example of Barrens ens Habitat Restoration Project Conducted at Trustees owned Long Point Wildlife Refuge on Martha Vineyard. Below is a collection of photographs to provide an example of a barrens habitat restoration project involving heavy mowing at Long Point Wildlife Refuge on Martha's Vineyard conducted in the winter of 2019. This project was also funded by a MassWildlife Habitat Management grant and is similar to the work proposed at Weir Hill. With the goal of maintaining the habitat in an early successional state to provide continued benefit for species relying on this habitat type. The work was conducted by TR Landworks Inc,who will be the contractor performing the work at Weir Hill. The photos will provide an example of the equipment used, habitat conditions prior to mowing, conditions directly after mowing and the regrowth of vegetation during the growing season-the same year mowing took place(2019). Photo 2.Mowing Equi ment and Existing Conditions inter 2019 ' •��a � .', fir l r ;may j `w J r� i 4. Ic AEI 1 E • • • • • ' • • • • i • 41 Vk:o r �yi� L.i ;w } ),vi._i•F. S t �;..1.1 F k p �Y l�1 ,5�1 j5; 5 F� '... �4 Y �C F:.:I h'�7 sy Y'j f{ t, i ` I I - ?� P ra +�r�s�a i'I"A! drs tt} F ti ti t tR _ WV 7•-Y ,fi, r �'t^h^ ar 4L f �4� r r r r t '� F Y Y t >• ��.�7 ) i�2 !� �S y l.�f 4 Y -f J '14�,.i4 5 I Y :. Fti�F n5 4 41. { ;• 1 3 \ t 7 y Y a` �4 ,�Y 3 a y �y��.' S t1 y Y t7 1l{ �� 1�� / ��.��i k•'�� 1 S�n � ��`1 e4{� 1, �Ott '-!a ys I�a s�F 1 � ��t did a,v �`- R � �� {1. 1i, '•! tl • F� ll{ Y��,[>l,-y� j la 1I Y � yam- I � 5 -'! 1. -l� i i,t, a ..F4s •1a. .r�o �� .� :1°'= _):r �`...a. I i Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection -Wetlands Cityl-rown WPA Form 1 - Request for Determination of Applicability ILI Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 A. General Information Important: When filling out 1• Applicant: forms on the .Jeffrey Denoncour(The Trustees of Reservations) jdenoncour@thetrustees.org computer,use only the tab key Name E-Mall Address to move your 290 Argilla Road cursor-do not Mailing Address use the return Ipswich MA 01938 key, City/Town State Zip Code 978-356-4351 x4037 Phone Number Fax Number(If applicable) 2. Representative (if any): Firm Contact Name E-Mall Address Malling Address Cltyffown State Zip Code Phone Number Fax Number(if applicable) B. Determinations 1. 1 request the North Andover make the following determination(s). Check any that apply: Conservation Commission ❑ a.whether the area depicted on plan(s)and/or map(s)referenced below is an area subject to jurisdiction of the Wetlands Protection Act. ❑ b. whether the boundaries of resource area(s)depicted on plan(s)and/or map(s)referenced below are accurately delineated. ® c,whether the work depicted on plan(s)referenced below Is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act. ® d.whether the area and/or work depicted on plan(s)referenced below is subject to the jurisdiction of any municipal wetlands ordinance or bylaw of: Town of North Andover Name of Municipality ❑ e.whether the following scope of alternatives is adequate for work In the Riverfront Area as depicted on referenced plan(s). 1 i { wpaforml.doo page 1 om f Massachusetts Department of Environmental protection Bureau of Resource Protection -Wetlands City/Town 'IPiI°PA Form 1 - Request for Determination of Applicability Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 C, Project Description 1. a, Project Location (use maps and plans to identify the location of the area subject to this request): Weir Hill, Stevens Street North Andover StreetAddress cilyfTown 086,0 0008-0000.0 Assessors Map/Plat Number Parcel/Lot Number b. Area Description(use additional paper, if necessary): Weir Hill,conservation land in North Andover,See attached Project Description for more detail. c. Plan and/or Map Reference(s): Weir Hill Habitat Management Photos 11/26/2019 Title mate MANESP Exemption North Andover 07-21668 10121/2019 Witte Date Weir HIII Habitat Management Project Deserlption 1/6/2020 Title Date 2. a. Work Description (use additional paper and/or provide plan(s)of work, If necessary): Forestry Work for Barrens Habitat Restoration, See attached Pro ect Description for more detail. wpaforml.do0 Page 2 0€4 i Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection Bureau of Resource Protection w Wetlands City/Town WPA Form I - Request for Determination of Applicability Ll Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.I . c. 131, §40 G. Project Description (cent.) b. identify provisions of the Wetlands Protection Actor regulations which may exempt the applicant from having to file a Notice of Intent for all or part of the described work (use additional paper, If necessary). 3. a. If this application Is a Request for Determination of Scope of Alternatives for work in the Riverfront Area, indicate the one classification below that best describes the project. ❑ Single family house on a lot recorded on or before 8/1196 ❑ Single family house on a lot recorded after 811/96 ❑ Expansion of an existing structure on a lot recorded after 811/96 ❑ Project, other than a single family house or public project,where the applicant owned the lot before 817196 ❑ New agriculture or aquaculture project ❑ Public project where funds were appropriated prior to 8/7196 ❑ Project on a lot shown on an approved,definitive subdivision plan where there Is a recorded deed restriction limiting total alteration of the Riverfront Area for the entire subdivision LJ Residential subdivision;inst[tutional, industrial, or commercial project ❑ Municipal project ❑ District,county, state, or federal government project ❑ Project required to evaluate off-site alternatives in more than one municipality In an Environmental Impact Report under MEPA or in an alternatives analysis pursuant to an application for a 404 permit from the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers or 401 Water Quality Certification from the Department of Environmental Protection. b. Provide evidence(e.g., record of date subdivision lot was recorded) supporting the classification above (use additional paper and/or attach appropriate documents, if necessary.) ripafofm9.don Page 3 of 4 ILIMassachusetts Department of Environmental protection Bureau of Resource Protection - Wetlands Grtylrown WPA Form I - Request for Determination of Applicability Massachusetts Wetlands Protection Act M.G.L. c. 131, §40 D. Signatures and Submittal Requirements . I hereby certify under the penalties of perjury that the foregoing Request for Determination of Applicability and accompanying plans, documents, and supporting data are true and complete to the best of my knowledge. I further certify that the property owner, if different from the applicant, and the appropriate DBP Regional Offtco were sent a complete copy of this Request(including all appropriate documentation) simultaneously with the submittal of this Request to the Conservation Commission. Failure by the applicant to send copies in a timely manner may result in dismissal of the Request for Determination of Applicability, Name and address of the property owner: The Trustees of Reservation Name 200 High street,41n Floor Mailing Address Boston Clty/Town MA 02210 State Zip Gode Signatures: I also understand that notification of this Request will be placed in a local newspaper at my expense In accordance with S tion 10.05(3)(b)(1)of the Wetlands protection Act regulations, Sign e Applic t Date Signature of Representative(if any) v Date wpafurmt.dac Page40 4 i i i ` I { DIVISION OF .: 1. FISHERIES & WILDLIFE .: 1 Rabblt Fills Road,Westborough,MA 01581 - p:(508)389-6300 1 f:(508)389-7890 MASS.GOVIMASSWILDLIFE I MASSWILDLIFF October 21,2019 Russell Hopping The Trustees of Reservations 200 High Street Boston MA 02110 RE: Project Location: Weir Hill Reservation Project Description: Barrens Habitat Restoration NHESP Tracking No.: 07-21668 Dear Applicant: Thank you for submitting the Habitat Management Plan to the Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program of the MA Division of Fisheries&Wildlife(the Division)for review pursuant to the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act (MESA) (MGL c.131A)and its implementing regulations(321 CMR 10.00). The Division hereby approves the submitted management plan, provided the following conditions are met: Prior to the Start of Work,timber harvesting associated with the young forest creation must have a Department of Conservation and Recreation approved Forest Cutting Plan if it exceeds MBF and/or Cordwood minimums. Therefore,the proposed activities are exempt from MESA review pursuant to 321 CMR 10.14 which states: "[t]he following Projects and Activities shall be exempt from the requirements of 321 CMR 10.18 through 10.23...". (15)The active management of State-listed Species habitat, including but not limited to mowing, cutting, burning,or pruning of vegetation, or removing exotic or invasive species,for the purpose of maintaining or enhancing the habitat for the benefit of rare species, provided that the management is carried out in accordance with a habitat management plan approved in writing by the Division" Any changes to the proposed activities or any additional work beyond that described in the approved management plan may require a filing with the Division pursuant to MESA. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Emily Holt, Endangered Species Review Assistant at 508-389-6385. MASSWILDLIFE Sincerely, 40C LZ�T Everose Schluter, Ph.D, Assistant Director h MASSWILDLIFE 1 r I I 1 1 r 1 ! r I I •I Rol 11 1 r"7 . 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'z'- ar Ssi': ��'t�> '•5 � ..-`5 jg "' �,+,. tir '7`�- 74r¢ ,, t F } :; •''7si �`�� er v -•.t�� i f �3� �r 1 � �": }yG -�' ti� i. �J { -% �r `-- N j A a_ 1{� � �� t �t��YR 9 .t .Nr �-•'� �:t� r`� �\r Bu +� �.J itt•�M} r l mQ tr f' o v* „f4v T+ � "y t ,AcT i IT ",jF "5 `. f" S "y ' - v.J ; r�rL V IAORTH -Po 4e 7 IYL 40 <o< <SOArED A US US�� CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Community Development Division MEMORANDUM DATE: February 12, 2009 TO: Mark Rees, Town Manager FROM: Jennifer Hughes, Conservation Administrator SUBJECT: Fire Management at Weir Hill and Boston Hill The North Andover Conservation Commission supports the fire management program at Weir Hill and Boston Hill as proposed by The Trustees of Reservations ('TTOR). In addition to reducing the threat of wildfire on the properties, controlled burning can reduce the spread of non-native and invasive species and maintain the natural habitats needed by many endangered species. During last year's burn, TTOR kept the Conservation Department informed of all potential burn dates. If you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. 1600 Osgood Street,North Andover,Massachusetts 01845 Prone 978A8.9530 Fax 978.6K9542 Web www.townofnorthondover.tom TOWN OF NORTH ANI)tr3VER. Fire I3epartnient Central Fire Headquarters 124 MAIN STRUT NORTH ANDOV'ER, MASSACHUSETTS 01845 William P, Martiricaer Telephone(978) 6$8-9593 Chieffof'Departmew FAX (97$) 688-9594 C. Scott Nussbauni C)8puty (,NC,f MEMO TO: Mark Rees,Town Manager FROM: William Martineau, Fire Chief RE: Prescribed burn at Weir Hill and Boston Hill DATE: February 17,2009 The Fire Department is pleased to work with The Trustees of Reservations again this year in their land management efforts at Weir Hill and Boston Hill.The controlled reduction of built up combustibles in wild-land areas that interface with residential structures is a proven tactic conducive to public safety and property preservation. The team of professionals associated with this activity has proven their ability to work in harmony with residents,businesses, and various Town Boards and Departments in managing their passive recreational properties that are an asset to our Community. I will personally monitor the activities and report to you as the prescribed burns proceed. 2 .. i i TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER Fire Department OL,•� � � N n � � s�AIrla Keg I February 25'h, 2009 Dear Neighbor, This spring, The Trustees of Reservations, in partnership with the North Andover Fire Department, The Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Bureau of Fire Control, Massachusetts Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, and US Fish and Wildlife Service, intends to conduct one day of prescribed burning at Weir Hill Reservation, in North Andover between March 2"d and May 29"'. This partnership wili apply a prescribed fire (description below) to 5-10 acres of Weir Hill to: • Improve public and firefighter safety by reducing the amount of leaves, dead wood and plants that can burn (fuel load). • Provide training opportunities for North Andover Firefighters. • Protect and promote rare species and wildlife habitat. The Weir Hill landscape is prone to wildfires with major fires occurring every 10-I5 years on average. Using the preemptive strategy of a prescribed fire, our partnership's goal is to minimize the future threat to public safety and property while at the same time maintaining habitat for rare plants and wildlife that benefit from the effects of fire. Prescribed fire activity is weather dependant. The property will be closed to the public during the day of any prescribed burn. The partnership will also conduct one day of prescribed burning at Ward Reservation on Boston Hill during the same dates. Attached is some background information on prescribed fire and our fire management program at Weir Hill and Ward Reservations. To view our management plans for Weir Hill or Ward Reservations, go to: http:Ilwww.thetrustees,org/prescribedburns.cfm. For more information, please contact The Trustees of Reservations at 978-682-3580. Sincerely, Sincerely, Chief William Martineau Chris Ward North Andover Fire Department Superintendent Town of North Andover The Trustees of Reservations Contact: littp://www.thetrustees.org/prescribedbums.efin f t Important Prescribed Fire Facts and Background information The Fire Partnership at Weir and Boston Hills • In 2008 The Trustees of Reservations, in partnership with the Town of North Andover and its municipal fire department, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Region 5 Fire Bureau, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service successfully implemented a Fire Management Program at Weir Hill, North Andover. The goal of the program is three fold: 1) improve public and firefighter safety by reducing the amount of leaves, dead wood and plants that can burn (fuel load), 2) provide training opportunities for North Andover Fire Fighters; and 3) promote biodiversity at Weir Hill by restoring fire- dependent landscapes. • In its first year, the partnership used prescribed fire (described below) to restore 13 acres of grassland, woodland and shrubland habitats, and provided valuable training for North Andover and Boxford Firefighters. It is noteworthy that this spring was one of the most fire active seasons in Massachusetts history, with firefighters responding to several hundred wildfires across the state. Many of.the firefighters that participated in prescribed fire activities and training at Weir Hill, were called upon to use those skills in suppressing wildfires throughout the region during the latter part of the season. • One of the partnership's hopes is to provide a model for the use of prescribed fire to manage habitat and reduce wildfire threat throughout Essex County. To that end, this spring the partners plan to expand our Fire Management Program to the fire-influenced slopes of Boston Hill, North Andover. • The program continues, and over the course of two weekdays between March 2nd and May 31", this partnership will apply a prescribed fire (description below) to 10-20 acres at Weir and Boston Hills to improve public and firefighter safety by reducing fuel load, provide training opportunities for North Andover Firefighters, and protect and promote rare species and wildlife habitat. Fire's Ecological Role and History at Weir and Boston Hills • Fire is an important process in maintaining habitats for many species of plants and animals. While historically lightning may have caused fires, Native Americans regularly burned areas to improve forage, stimulate berry and acorn production, and ease travel routes. Many plants and animals are I dependent on periodic fires for their reproduction, growth, and survival. Throughout Massachusetts, the development of towns, roads, and farmlands, combined with effective fire suppression, has stopped fire from moving across the land as it once did. As a result, habitats dependent on fire are in decline, and approximately 30% of the plants and animals listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act benefit from or depend upon habitats created and maintained by fire. • Eighty acres of Weir Hill's dry southwest facing slope are prone to fire, and for centuries, and perhaps millennia given Native American occupancy of the area, the property has burnt on a regular basis. Between 1960 and 1980, the North Andover Eire Department responded to an average of two wildfires a year; the last large blaze occurred in 1995, burning 60 acres over two days. Since the 1995 fire, fuel conditions have grown and are now conducive to a large-scale wildfire. • This long, uninterrupted history of frequent fire has created one of Essex County's most significant fire-influenced plant communities supporting several rare and uncommon species dependent on fire. Indeed, the property has become a refuge for several fire-dependent species that are uncommon throughout Massachusetts. Given the significance of this fire dependent landscape, The Trustees were awarded grants from the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife and US Fish and Wildlife Service to manage and restore this landscape using strategies such as prescribed fire. • Thirty acres on Boston Hill's dry southwest facing slope are also prone to fire, burning regularly in recent decades. While its fire history is not as extensive as that at Weir Hill, the slope does provide important habitat for fire-associated plants and animals, and like Weir Hill, fuel conditions are now conducive to wildfire. Prescribed Fire and Prescription for Weir and Boston Hills + Prescribed fire is a fire intentionally ignited under specific (prescribed) conditions by trained fire professionals to achieve specific management objectives. Prescribed burning restores fires to the landscape in a controlled manner and reduces the threat of wildfire by reducing the buildup of dead wood and other debris (fuel). Prescribed burns are conducted by trained fire professionals who have studied fire behavior and fire control techniques to ensure the safety of the burn crew, nearby residents, and private property. o Prescribed fires at Weir and Boston Hill will be conducted under the leadership of a certi red prescribed fire leader and the Massachusetts District Fire Warden utilizing a professionally trained burn crew. • Planning is the Ivey to a safe and effective prescribed burn. Before fire is applied to the land, a rigorous planning process is undertaken to determine the acceptable conditions under which the burn will be conducted. The conditions are written up in a document called a "prescription," which includes expected fire behavior, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and dryness of the vegetation, along with a plan describing how fire will be ignited and contained. By following a prescription, fire managers are able to accomplish the objective of the burn and provide for public safety, o Joel Carlson of Northeast Forest and Fire Management, LLC has written the fire prescription for Weir and Boston Hills, and will serve as burn boss and coordinate prescribed fire activity at the properties. These fire plans have received rigorous peer-review by fire professionals from across the country, • Fire breaks, which surround the area to be burned, prevent the fire from moving onto adjacent land. A fire break may be a road or trail, mowed line, a natural feature such as a steam or pond, or a recently burned area, During the burn, fire breaks are patrolled by burn crew members who use specialized fire tools, backpack water pumps, and water-carrying pump tucks to ensure that the fire does not cross the fire break. Crew members wear special fire resistant clothing to protect themselves during the burn. o At Weir Hill, several natural fire breaks have historically contained fire within the 80-acre footprint of Weir Hill's southern slope: the shores of Lake Cochichewick surround the area on three sides, and the cool, moist slope of the drumlin's north face limits the potential for fire to burn down the backside of the hill. In addition, recent clearing associated with habitat restoration has created additional fuel breaks, which for the next 18-24 months will be incapable of carrying fire, dividing the area into manageable burn units. o Burn units at Boston Hill are delineated by several trails and natural and manmade fire breaks which have confined fire's influence to the Hill's southwest slope and divide the area into manageable burn unit . o Once initial burns are completed and fuel loads reduced, burn units can be maintained with periodic low-intensity fires, sustaining the habitat value of the area while protecting public safety and private property, Once burned, specific areas will not need to be burned for several years, limiting the size and frequency of controlled fire at Weir and Boston Hills, • Controlling where smoke will go is an important part of every prescribed burn. Before each burn, fire manages look carefully at smoke sensitive areas, this information is incorporated into the burn prescription so that the burn will only be conducted when winds will move smoke up and away from populated areas. Periodic prescribed burns prevent heavy brush accumulation, which would send a larger amount of smoke into the air if a wildfire were to occur. o Whereas the 1995 wildfire at Weir Hill burned for two days, prescribed fire will reduce fuel loads under conditions conducive to smoke dispersal and in a controlled fashion - an acre at a time, minimizing the threat to public safety and property from smoke and fire hazards. • Given the hills' extensive fire histories, it is not a question of if, but when fire will return. The partners wish to mitigate the risks associated with wildfire by reducing forest fuels in a controlled manner. Applying prescribed fire allows managers to position equipment and firefighters in advance and select the conditions under which a fire will burn; in turn, manages are able to greatly control fire behavior. Instead of scorching 30-60 acres in a single wildfire, the partners will strategically reduce fuel loads an acre at a time, minimizing the threat to public safety and property from a possibly larger, uncontrolled wildfire. About The Trustees of Reservations Founded in 1891 by Charles Eliot:, an open space visionary and protege of the famous landscape architect Frederick Law Olmstead, The Trustees of Reservations is the nation's oldest regional land trust and nonprofit conservation organization. The Trustees are member supported by 100,000 people like you, from every corner of Massachusetts, who share a deep set of similar values: a love of the land, the outdoors and the distinctive charms of New England, as well as a shared vision of celebrating and protecting them for everyone, forever. The Trustees own and manage nearly 25,000 acres on 99 reservations in 70 communities across Massachusetts, including five National Historic Landmarks, a National Natural Landmark, and seven properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places. From mountains and hilltops, to working farms, stately homes and gardens, and 70 miles of stunning coastline, The Trustees' reservations are tremendously diverse and offer something for everyone. V I As land is being developed and open space is being fragmented at a rapid pace around the state, The Trustees are working to mobilize and inspire a critical mass of people and partners who care about quality of life in their communities and will work to protect them—before it's too late. To find out more about how you can make a difference in your own community, volunteer, donate or become a member of The Trustees of Reservations please contact us at 781.784,0567, visit our website at www.thetrustees.org, or email us at membership@ttor.org. The Trustees employ 180 full-time and 350-400 seasonal staff with expertise in many areas, including ecology, education, historic resources, land protection, conservation, land management, and planning. To find out how you can interview Trustees' experts on important topics and issues, please contact us at the numbers above. i i 1 1 Fires Long History and Influence at Weir Hill --from the Weir Hill Management Plan, 2006. The Trustees of Reservation, Section 4; pg 5-8 Fire-Influenced Community: The 80-acre fire influenced community is the property's most significant ecological feature. Once more common, fire and its influence on the landscape has declined as the region has developed and tolerance for wildfire decreased. At Weir Hill, a history of frequent fire is well documented for the latter half of the last century. However,there are clues that allow us to speculate on fire's impact prior to records kept by the North Andover fire department and one could speculate that fire's influence dates back to when indigenous cultures occupied the area. Agricultural practices, accidental ignition associated with railroad operation, and most recently, mischievous youth have helped to perpetuate fire's influence. Regardless of its history, the result is a plant community that is increasingly rare in Massachusetts and Essex County especially. Today, Weir Hill has become a refuge for many plant and animal species that depend on fire-influenced habitats. Approximately 80 acres of Weir Hill Reservation show evidence of frre history(Map 6). The last large fire occurred in 1995 when approximately 60-acres burned. This community covers much of the southwestern quarter of the Weir Hill drumlin where south and west facing slopes are more prone to dry wind and warm temperatures, which aids in spreading fire. Multiple fire scaring, dramatic hollow trunks, tree age-class discontinuities, coppice undergrowth, double-trunked trees, and the absence of fire- intolerant species characterize this community. The plant community in this area is a mosaic of black oak-hickory woodland of varying age and development, and open areas maintained as vistas, fields, and fire brakes by annual mowing. The black oak-hickory forest mosaic is typified by a dominance of black oak and a variety of hickories. This community includes a variation of the Black Oak Scarlet Oak Woodland, a S3/S4 Priority community type listed by MNHESP.t White oak is occasional and scarlet oak is rare. Map 6 Natural Heritage uses a"state rank"(SRANK)to indicate level of rarity and threat of plant communities. This section includes the SRANK for communities where they fit the Heritage classifications to illustrate a community type's abundance at the state level. • S I=Typically 5 or fewer occurrences in the state. Especially vulnerable to extirpation. • S2=Typically 6-20 occurrences. Very vulnerable to extirpation. • S3—Typically 2 1-100 occurrences. Vernal pools are given this rank because of the limited acreage that they represent. • S4 and S5 indicate communities which are apparently or demonstrably secure in MA" Weir Hill - Vegetation l ` r t i uV, IV kyl y 1 a t �:r t I 1 S y r � f 1, l ' � Y Vegetation Communities w Mixed Deciduous Oak l Hickory Oak/Hickory with Maple White Pine Red Maple Swamp Intermittent Stream or " Forested Seep Communities Upland Field Wet Meadow /\/Trails 0 500 1,000 Feet i 1 _f__t ► J_ t _t__1 t 1 Early Successlonal ♦`�.�' Limit of Fire Influenced Communities Vegetation classes based on Report by F Clark.2001. Updated byTrusteos'stafr. Map produced March2006, { pI I These species form a canopy 60-70 feet tall and provide between 40-60%total cover. The crowns of the largest trees are often broadly spreading indicating that they have grown without competition from other trees, The subcanopy is only 10-30 feet tall and includes the same species. In some areas the subcanopy is dense with numerous small trees 4-6 inches in diameter, in other areas the subcanopy is sparse and an cricaceous shrub layer provides 40% cover, Occasionally, fire intolerant species such as white pine and red maple have seeded into areas where fires have not burned recently. Within this oak-hickory matrix three open areas have been maintained as vistas and fire brakes. These openings vary in their degree of herbaceous versus woody cover in relation to their age and mowing frequency. The most recent addition, along the southwest slope of Weir Hill, was created by and expanded after the 1995 fire which moved through much of the oak-hickory forest. hire intensity along this southwest slope killed many of the mature trees, opening the canopy along the slope. Property managers have since maintained and expanded the opening by brush-hogging regrowth repeatedly throughout the growing season, to create a fire brake and maintain a more open landscape. The consequence is a mosaic of primarily open land covered with grasses, low slu•ubs and tree sprouts growing in and around woodlands of black oak, hickories, and more rarely pitch pine. Overall, the community is characterized by successional woody and herbaceous plants, Sprouts of oaks and hickories are frequent to common along with colonies of low growing heaths, such as black huckleberry and lowbush blueberries, Grasses are patchy with little bluestem scattered throughout. Various wildflowers can be found in bloom throughout the year including relatively uncommon to rare plants such as bird-foot's violet, wild indigo, short-toothed mountain mint, toothed white-topped aster, stiff-leaved aster, and various bush clovers. Two species of scrub oaks occur in abundance in this area, and are being excluded from annual mowing in hopes of increasing their ecological value. Weir Hill Fire History: It is no coincidence that Weir Hill has, and continues to have a close relationship with fire; a relationship founded in its soil—well-drained sandy glacial deposits, and reinforced by the legacy of human occupancy and floral adaptation to those cultures' most powerful tool—fire. The result is one of Essex County's few remaining fire- dependant communities where locally rare fire-tolerant and dependant plants such as scrub oak, wild indigo, and bush clovers occur in abundance. Fire's influence on a plant community is complex----one affecting soil composition and chemistry, light levels, and species composition. Trying to mimic fire's effect without its use is challenging. Fire removes leaf litter and prevents the buildup of duff layers,releases nutrient back into the soil, and creates the thin, mineral soils required for germination by many fire-dependant plants. In addition, frequent fire reduces competition from non-tolerant species such as white oak and white pine, and maintains an open subcanopy providing light conditions that promote the development of a diverse herbaceous and shrub layer. The plant community that evolves in a landscape shaped by periodic fie disturbance becomes dependent on fire to create and maintain the requisite germination and growing conditions, Many of these species exhibit specific adaptation to fine including thick insulating bark, the ability to resprout after being damaged by fire, seed release timed to coincide with fire, and a growth habitat that promotes frequent, low intensity fires. Southeastern Massachusetts, with its warmer temperatures and course-textured coastal plain soils, is more typically associated with fire than Essex County, Forests in Barnstable, Dukes, Plymouth, and Nantucket County are the most flammable in New England and as fire prone as those of southern California. Moving north and inland, elevation and humidity increase and fire frequency decreases substantially. In places like Essex County, fire only occurs with any degree of regularity in areas where steep slopes and shallow soils combine to create physiological drought conditions—conditions typical of the south facing slopes of Weir Hill. However, soils alone cannot explain the presence of a well developed fire influenced community that potentially pre-dates European contact. What is also required is an ignition source. Lightning, which is usually accompanied by rainfall in the northeast, is not a significant cause of fire in Massachusetts. Instead, 98% of Massachusetts wildfires are started by humans.2 Today carelessness and vandalism account for most fire ignitions, However, fire was,until recently, an important tool used to maintain the land and was employed by Native Americans, European Colonists, and in modern agriculture. While there continues to be debate over the extent to which Native Americans used and influenced the Massachusetts landscape with fire, it is clear that certain areas evolved a close relationship with fire due to frequent and repeated burning by native cultures. Weir Hill, which derives its name from the nets used by Native Americans and Colonists to capture the spring alewife runs, has a long history of cultural activity dating back over 6,000 years. The artifact record and area descriptions at contact provide evidence that Weir Hill supported Native Americans over a long period of prehistory, It is likely that the native-people who camped on the shores of Lake Cochichewick set fire to the landscape, and Weir Hill's relationship with fire began with theses cultures' occupation. That relationship was perpetuated by colonists who grazed Weir Hill and likely repeatedly burned the land to stimulate herbaceous growth and clear woody debris, The Essex Railroad which traces the southwest toe of Weir Hill and operated from 1848-1926 was also a likely ignition source as sparks blew from the coal-fired trains. Fire log books from the North Andover Fire Department provide the most detailed account of Weir Hill's recent fire history. These log books describe numerous small- scale brush fires and relatively few large outbreaks. Fires most commonly occurred in the spring, burn for less than two hours, and were caused by children and teenagers playing with incendiary devices. Large fires of note include a 75-acre blaze in April, 1973, a 10-acre fire in May 1973, a 20-acre fire in May 1980, a 13-acre fine in June 1980, a 50-acre burn in 1986, and a 60 acre blaze in May, 1995. Weir Hill has burned repeatedly in the past. It will continue to do so in the future. One of the challenges for this plan is to manage the property in a way that perpetuates the significant ecological features of this fire influenced community while protecting the surrounding suburban community from fire's potential destructiveness; 2 Massachusetts Bureau of Forest Fire Control i Fire Response Frequency at Weir Hill 1963-1983 6 N � ill 0 A a N i11 3 _ — a- O a. 4? M 2 E 3 Z 0 1003 1964 1005 1088 1087 1068 1060 1870 071 1072 1973 1974 1075 1076 1977 1970 1970 1980 1081 1802 1063 Year figure 1--Fire Response Frequency:The graph above illustrates the number of tines per-year that the North Andover Tire Department responded to fire events at Weir Hill between 1963-1983. During this period,the North Andover Tire Department responded to an average of 2 fire events year. Major Fires Frequency at Weir Hill(1870-2007) eo 75 70 60 60 y 50 ` 60 <U 40 -.- 31 aD 20 10 10 0 �0 get, A" O{1 OA,:, 00� g5P �%h �5� �%0 ��^ 00� 00h �� Qy0°� 00�105P O91 00§ Year Figure 2: Fregnency of major fire events between 1970-2007. 1 I A,, Bio0ne COMPLETE Prescribed Fire Effects on Water Quality and Freshwater Ecosystems in Moist-Temperate Eastern North America Authors: George E. Hahn, T. Adam Coates, Roger Earl Latham, and Hamed Majidzadeh Source: Natural Areas Journal, 39(1) : 46-57 Published By: Natural Areas Association URL: https:/Idoi.org/10.3375/043.039.0104 BioOne Complete (complete.BioOne.org) is a full-text database of 200 subscribed and open-access titles in the biological, ecological, and environmental sciences published by nonprofit societies, associations, museums, institutions, and presses. Your use of this PDF, the BioOne Complete website, and all posted and associated content indicates your acceptance of BioOne's Terms of Use, available at www.bioone.orcl/terms-of-use. Usage of BioOne Complete content is strictly limited to personal, educational, and non-commercial use. Commercial inquiries or rights and permissions requests should be directed to the individual publisher as copyright holder, BioOne sees sustainable scholarly publishing as an inherently collaborative enterprise connecting authors, nonprofit publishers, academic institutions, research libraries, and research funders in the common goal of maximizing access to critical research. Downloaded From:https:?Moone.org/journals/Natural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:https://bloone.org/terms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Associallon R E S E A R C.H A R T ICI_ E ABSTRACT:Forests of the eastern United States provide numerous ecosystem services,including water filtration. Forest management activities of eastern forests often include prescribed fire to accomplish a variety of management objectives such as invasive species control, wildlife habitat improvement, • ecosystem restoration,and hazardous fuel reduction.Despite widespread use of prescribed fire in this region and the need to maintain adequate water quality from forests impacted by this practice, there Prescribed is a paucity of knowledge on prescribed fire's impacts on water quality.This article summarizes and consolidates known impacts of prescribed fire on chemical,physical,and biological properties related to water quality and freshwater ecosystems in moist-temperate eastern North America,including impacts Fire Effects on on drinking water treatability.Based upon this synthesis,it appears that most prescribed fires in castenr forests are low intensity and low severity and cause minimal changes to forest soil properties,leading W { to minimal adverse impacts that might exacerbate soil erosion and adversely affect surface waters. ater Q�I a I I ty In some cases,prescribed fire has been shown to enhance water quality in the region.Technological Z. advancements in monitoring fire behavior have the potential to advance our knowledge regarding the and I re h Wale r effects of prescribed fire on water quality in the eastern forest region,particularly for fires of mixed or moderate severity and fires occurring in complex terrain. Ecosystems in. Moisf— Index terms:fire intensity,fire severity,fuel consumption,mesophication,water treatment,water yield Temperate Eastern INTRODUCTION Hamman 2016). North America Forests occupy approximately 31% (4 Long-term fire exclusion has resulted in billion hectares) of Earth's land surface hazardous fuel accumulation in many for- (Bladon et al. 2014). Filtration of water ests throughout the United States (Keifer George E. Hahne is one of the most important ecosystem et al. 2006). Therefore, forest managers 11]epailment of Forest Resources and services these forests provide(Brooks et at, commonly need feasible fuel reduction Envir(itimental Conservation 2013).Nearly two-thirds of municipalities strategies. In some situations, prescribed Virginia Polytechnic Institute and. in the United States and approximately one- fire is a viable tool for reducing hazardous State University: third of the world's largest cities obtain the fuel loads (Waldrop and Goodrick 2012), Blacksburg;VA 24t161 majority of their consumable water from Additionally,prescribed fire may be used forested watersheds (Bladon et al. 2014). to improve wildlife habitat, reduce unde- Globally, natural filtration services have sired species competition,combat invasive 7:Adam Coatese4 been estimated to save approximately 4.1 species, enhance specific environmental trillion dollars annually in water treatment attributes, and prepare a stand for future Roger EaYI Lathamz costs (Bladon et al. 2014). Increasingly, forest management (Brender and Cooper Hamed MaJtdzadeh3 forest management practices and natural 1968; Whelan 1997; Stanturf ct al. 2002; disturbances are monitored for potential Fairchilds and Trettin 2006; Waldrop and 2 ConUnental:.Conservatton impacts on forests and any subsequent im- Goodrick 2012). In 2017, over 2 million Rosa Valley;PA 19t386 pacts on water quality(Brooks et al.2013). hectares were managed with prescribed fire in the eastern United States.The area 3 Baruch Institute of Coastal Ecola The extreme wildfire events that occurred in burned by prescribed fire in this region has y the western United States in 2017 and the grown steadily in recent years (Figure 1; and Foie st Science southern United States in 2016 (National Melvin 2015). Clemson University Interagency Fire Center 2018)provide clear Georgetown; SC 29440 and dramatic examples of the tremendous The scientific literature documents high hazards of wildfires to forest resources, risk posed by wildfires to water quality human property, and lives.Wildfires have and the viability of prescribed fire as a the potential to cause problems in water tool for minimizing wildfire occurrence 4 Corresponding author sheds due to the widespread consumption and impact. Despite the common and acoates4@vt.edw(546)231-5676 of soil organic matter(Neary et al. 2009; widespread implementation of prescribed Pereira et at. 2012; Bladon et al. 2014; fire as a land management tool in the Bixby et at.2015),which exposes mineral eastern United States, little research has Guest editor,Roger Latham soils to erosive precipitation following fire been conducted to understand the potential (Brooks et al. 2013). Wildfires may also impacts of prescribed fire on water quality cause stem mortality, destabilize roots and freshwater ecosystems(Lafayette et at. Natural Areas Journal 39:46-57 (Callaham et al.2012),and favor the spread 2012).In this review we compile evidence and growth of invasive species(Martin and and summarize known effects of prescribed 46 Natural Areas journal Volume 39 (1),2019 Downloaded From:https:lfbioone.orgrjournalslNatural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:https:IJbioone.orgiterms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association it organic matter. Total area burned In wildfires 3 000,0007 Fire severity refers to the ecosystem effects , of fire, for example the degree to which 2 forest soil organic resources are consumed 0- 2,500,000 and vegetation is killed in a given fire even( a) P, ti (Whelan 1997;Keeley 2009).Fire severity C: 2,000,000 is the result of the interaction between fire intensity and the burned environment. M 1,500,000 �k ;1? When intact and decomposed plant litter in V the soil (known variously as soil organic 1,000,000— horizons, duff, and litter) is fully con 500,000— sumed,mineral soil is exposed to heating and subsequent precipitation(Callaharn ct. al. 2012). Following high-severity fires, n, crusting of mineral soil can occur as the ,9 S�l & 03 N� 43 0Q, Q z lz� (Z) R� (Z) z R� 5) result of heating; this condition is known as hydrophobicity (Brooks et al. 2013). Total area burned in prescribed fires Ires Hydrophobic soils reduce infiltration and increase runoff volume and energy,which 3,000,000— can accelerate soil erosion,particularly to]- 2,500,000 Eastern Forests lowing large precipitation events (Brooks ca et al.2013).Fire-induced vegetative mor- 'taGreat Plains tali ty may also contribute to increased soil 2,000,000— Mountain West E erosion due to reduced canopy interception and reduced litter production. High fire 1,500,000— severity typically results in either imme- diate or delayed plant mortality (Goforth 1,000,000 and Minnich 2008), Large quantities of 0 soil may be dislodged and displaced as a 500,000— result of root death, further exacerbating soil erosion(Fairchilds and Trettin 2006). V r Eroded soil materials may be trapped on o°�oN) N�(3Q)Nrb N�' N:' Nq)(3 NA site,but removal of soil organic layers fa- Izi �s Q, lzii �3 Q� (�� vors their transport to streams.Deposition of eroded material in streams, known as Figure 1.11-ends in area burned In wildfires and prescribed fires by ecoregions In the continental United sedimentation,may cause myriad problems States.Data are from National Interagency Fire Center(2018);ecoregions from US Environmental Pro- ranging from increased water temperatures tection Agency(2016).Eastern Forests are 30 states representing Level I ecoregions eastern Temperate Forests,Northern Forests,and Tropical Wet Forests(AL,AR,CT,DF,FL,GA,KY,LA,MA,MID,ME, to a variety of mineralization outcomes MT,NIN,MO,MS,NC,NH,NJ,NY,OH,PA,RI,SC,TN,VA,VT,W1,WV);Grent Plains are 7 states affecting overall water quafity,treatability, representing Level I ecoreglon Great Plains(IA,KS,ND,NE,OK,SD,TX);Mountain West is 11 states and aquatic life(Van Lear and Danielovich representing Level I ecoregions Northwestern Forested Mountains,Marine West Coast Forest,Medi- 1988; Minshall 2003; Grace et at. 2006; terranean California,Temperate Sierras,Southern Semi-arid Highlands,and North American Deserts Malison and Baxter 2010; Clapcott et al. (AZ,CA,CO,ID,MT,NM,NV,OR,UT,NVA,WY). 2012). fire on water resources in the eastern United intensify and fire severil),. While the two Four combinations of fire severity and fire States,identify urgent research needs,and may correlate, they often do not, intensity are possible if the ranges of fire explore implications for policy and land severity and fire intensity are divided into stewardship practice. Fire intensity refers to the total energetic simple categories of "low" and "high" output of a fire (Keeley 2009). A fire of (Figure 2).Within this simplistic construct, How do Prescribed fires Differ from high intensity may or may not be high wildfires can exhibit behavior that falls Wildfires? in severity and vice versa, depending on into low and high intensity and severity local factors such as the type of vegetation while prescribed fires are typically(but not Prescribed fires differ from wildfires in burned—whether dominated by fire-(oler- always)low in both intensity and severity. many ways. The primary differences of- ant or fire-sensitive species, concomitant In general,wildfires consume moreorganic ten center on the distinction between fire fire behavior, and moisture levels in soil matter, induce more vegetative mortality, Volume 39 (1),2019 Natural Areas journal 47 Downloaded From:https:/Ibioone.orgfjournals/Nalural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:htips://bloone.org/terms-of-use Access provided by Naiurat Areas Association have important water chemistry effects (Brooks et al. 2013). Changes in soil pH ' can directly affect the presence of biota (Agren et al.2010),soil chemical transfor- mations and losses,and the water solubility V '� �y?a� iS� � of chemicals and nutrients (Beyers et al. 2005). In a laboratory experiment, Battle and Golloday(2003)examined how burned Intensity longleaf pine(Pines pahistris Mill.)litter, wiregrass (Aristida beyr•ichrana Trin. & %/p X Rupr.), and soil organic matter (SOM) affected water chemistry in Georgia wet- jO��tA ��(� �� 1 nds.The authors found that pH increased in wetlands following fire due to the �r1r ti �Ojr consumption and translocation of SOM during the fire.SOM consumption was also Severity a major driving force behind significant increases in nutrients, such as dissolved organic carbon (DOC), soluble reactive Figure 2.Simplified classification of fires by intensity and severity. phosphorus(SRP),and ammonium(NH4 ). Other water chemistry factors investigat- expose more mineral sail, and thus lead fire event(Keeley 2009)and do not address ed in relation to fire include potentially to more-severe water resource impacts the effects of fires of moderate intensity harmful metals such as mercury.Mercury (Robinne et al. 2018) when compared to or severity. In some cases, prescriptions naturally occurs in aquatic life and bioac- prescribed fires. Prescribed fires typically require moderate,rather than low,fire in- cumulates throughout the food web, but consume little or no soil organic matter, tensity and severity to achieve specific man- high concentrations of mercury can cause induce little overstory mortality, expose agement objectives. They might include infertility in wildlife, among other health little mineral soil, and thus have been enhancement or restoration of fire-adapted effects (Hopkins et al. 2013). Similarly, assumed to be of minor water resource species,reduction of shr•ubland vegetation high mercury concentrations in humans concern (Boerner et al, 2005; Fairchilds to reduce public safety risks (J. Stowe, can lead to poor fetal development and and Trettin 2006). Prescribed fires are pens, comm.), or site preparation burns. death(Liu et al.2012).Riggs et al.(2017) implemented under a prescription or plan Moderate-to high-intensity site preparation found that although yellow perch (Percy that emphasizes safety of life and property, burns are often implemented following a fdavescens[Mitchill,1814])mercury levels thus they are most often low in intensity and timber harvest to create a more conducive increased after a low-severity prescribed severity.For safety concerns and to achieve environment for seed germination. fire and moderate-severity wildfire in specific goals and objectives, prescribed a Minnesota watershed, mercury levels fires are carefully planned to occur under Given This Context, What Do We also increased in an adjacent, unburned specific conditions of wind, temperature, Know about Prescribed Fire and watershed. The authors found no link humidity, and ground moisture that min- Water Resources in the Eastern between low- and moderate-severity fires imize the risk of escape. The likelihood United States? and mercury accumulation in the perch. and magnitude of water impacts are also assumed to be low for many prescribed fire Others have compiled and synthesized Increases in nutrient concentrations,such scenarios in eastern forests because they evidence of the effects of fire on water as nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to disproportionately occur on relatively flat resources in the eastern United States, harmful algal blooms.These blooms may terrain, including the Atlantic and Gulf includingFulton and West 2002 Elliott coastal plains and Midwestern tallgrass ( )� adversely affect aquatic life through a prairies, where gentle topography favors and Vose (2006), and Lafayette et al. reduction of dissolved oxygen due tobacte- slower and lower-volume surface drainage (n a m We have summarized their findings riat decomposition of dead algae,which can into streams, in a model linking water impacts to fire cause fish die-offs, and through shading, behavior(Figure 3).Our review highlights which can reduce aquatic plant biomass and more recent research not included in those diversit Anderson et al.2008•Brooks et The simplistic, four-cell scenario of fire syntheses,briefly summarized in Table 1, y intensity and severity defined above limits al. 2016; Konopacky 2017). Increases in fire intensity and severity to two categories: sediment can also adversely affect water low and high.These categories do not fully Chemical Properties quality.Bedload sediments can fill spaces encompass the heterogeneity of intensity between gravel and rocks where fish and and severity across the landscape in a given Alterations to water acidity or alkalinity other aquatic biota lay eggs and forage for 48 Natural Areas journal Volume 39 (1),2019 Downloaded From:htlps:Ubioone.org/journals/Natural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:https:tlbioone.orglierms-of use Access provided by Natural Areas Association DECREASED LOW AMOUNT HYDROPHILIC OVERLAND OF DUFF LAYER 4 SOILS 4 FLOW OF SEDIMENT FIRE'$ CONSUMED I S NUTRIENTS EFFECT ON SOILS HIGH AMOUNT INCREASED HYDROPHOBIC OVERLAND OF LAYM CONSUMED SOILS FLOW OF SEDIMENT CONSUMED FIRE, � FIRE 8 NUTRIENTS INTENSITY SEVERITY DECREASED TOPKILL INTERCEPTION, OVERLAND FIRE'S 4 STABLEWa. [ITABLE WOFSEDIMENT SURFACE UPTAKE NUTRIENTS EFFECT ON VEGETATION DECREASED INCREASED TOPKtI_L & INTERCEPTION, OVERLAND ROOTKILL DECREASED SUa• 4 FLOW OF SEDIMENT SURFACE UPTAKE &NUTRIENTS E<igurc 3.Tlom,ebsirt depicting fire's effect on venter rivality,based on Keeley(2009).Hach succeeding box is a function of the preceding box. food. Suspended sediment can increase effects(accelerated nutrient mineralization usage at water treatment facilities(Emelko turbidity and thereby decrease the amount following a disturbance creating a pulse of et al. 2011; Smith et it. 2011). Wildfires of light available for aquatic vegetation available nutrients)and minimizing nutri- can increase surface runoff,which results (DeBano et at. 1998;Brooks et at.2013). ent input into local streams, Knoepp and in increased erosion, elevating sediment The majority of research concerning the Swank (1993)conducted a high-intensity (Moody et al. 2008;Emelko ct al. 2011), effects of prescribed fire on nutrient and site preparation burn in western North ions, and metals in streams (Crouch et sediment loads was conducted between 20 Carolina following a clearcut and found at. 2006). Increased sediments, turbidity, and 40 y ago and is synthesized in Lafay- that available nitrogen in soil and water and metals, such as iron and manganese, ette et at. (2012). Because the majority of temporarily increased, but the increases increase chemical treatment needs and can prescribed fires in the eastern United States were within the historically sampled range produce a larger volume of sludge at water are low-intensity, low-severity surface without fire.Similar short-term pulses were treatment facilities (Moody and Martin fires, the effects on sediment and nutrient found by Kolka (2012), and again those 2009; Bladon et al. 2014). The impacts transport into water bodies were either not pulses were within the range of samples on source water quality from a severe significant or were of low magnitude and collected prior to burning.Both high-and wildfire can last from a few years to de- low-severity site preparation burns were returned to baseline or control revels within cedes,whereas impacts from low-intensity 1-3 y post-fire(see also Wendel and Smith prescribed in a mixed hardwood—pine forest prescribed fires are seldom pronounced or 1986; Shumway et al. 2001; Guyette and in upland South Carolina by Robichaud long-lasting. A watershed-scale study al Spetich 2003;Smith and Sutherland 2006). and Waldrop (1994). Sediment yields the Santee Experimental Forest in South were approximately 40 times greater in high-severity burn plots than in low-se- Carolina compared flow and nutrients at Post-harvest, high-intensity, site prepares- verity burn plots. paired first-order watersheds (one burned tion burns to reduce logging slash,reduce and one control). Although prescribed competing vegetation, and prepare the burning initially increased the water yield seedbed for regeneration (Waldrop and Water Treatability by 72%, outflow differences disappeared Goodrick 2012) have produced mixed re- after 2 y(Aniatya et al.2007).Furthermore, sults in terms of water quality impacts.Van Drinking water demand, especially in the no significant differences in nutrient levels Lear and Danielovich (1988) conducted more densely populated coastal areas of were observed between the two watersheds high-intensity site preparation burns fol- the eastern United States, has increased after 2 y. lowing a timber Harvest in western South significantly in recent years (Milesi et at. Carolina,As a result of this practice, they 2003; Bladon et at. 2014),Watershed dis- Severe wildfires can alter the quantity found that soil nutrients increased.Vege- turbances, such as wildfires, can amplify and chemical composition of terrestrial tative regeneration also increased during the challenge of meeting rising demands dissolved organic matter (DOM; Wang the following growing season. Emerging for clean water by altering source water et a1. 2016;Tsai et at. 2017),DOM plays vegetation assimilated the available nu- quality and quantity.Such disturbances can a significant role in the transport of pol- trients, thereby offsetting potential assart subsequently increase costs and chemical lutants and in water treatment processes, Volume 39 (1), 2019 Natural Areas Journal 49 Downloaded From:hilps:tibioone.orgrournals/Natural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:https:ffbfoone.org/terms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association ro0 w? ril O W C 'fable 1.Summary of prescribed fire effects on chemical,physical,and biological properties in freshwater ecosystems of moist-temperate North America.Effects on water treatability also include Z some results from wildfires in semiarid parts of the continent �o Property Measured variables Fire type Study Result Citation 6-6 Z) 00 D duration Positive/Negative/Neutral CD CD e Chemical Sediment yields, Low-intensity,low-severity I year Neutral and Negative Robichaud and Waldrop —. infiltration,runoff surface fire and high- High-intensity and-severity burns 1994 '�b p w_ intensity,high-severity produced 40x more sediment yields 3 24 surface fire (negative impact)than low-severity w m CD z burns(neutral impact). Sediment yields, Low-intensity,Iow-severity 36 years Neutral and Negative Kolka 2012 n infiltration,runoff prescribed fire and high- Insignificant impacts following low- intensity,high-severity severity,low-intensity fires.Negative wildfire impacts following high-severity,high 03 -0m intensity fires. s.' Sediment yields, Low-intensity,low-severity 1 3 years Neutral Lafayette et al.2012 a� infiltration,runoff prescribed fire Insignificant,temporary increases in m nutrients and sediments,which ;n returned to baseline levels within 3 D years. a pH,alkalinity,dissolved Low-intensity,low-severity I year Neutral/Negative Battle and Golladay 0 organic carbon(DOC), prescribed fire Burned soil:increased levels of pH, 2003 NH4+,soluble reactive alkalinity, DOC,NH4+,SRP. phosphorus(SRP), Burned pine needles and wiregrass: dissolved inorganic decreased levels of DOC,DIC. carbon(DIC) Burned wiregrass:increased levels of NH4+,SRP. NW,Nos High-intensity,high- 1.5 years Neutral Knoepp and Swank severity surface fire Increased NH4+,no change in NO3—. 1993 Increased NH4+but within historical range without fire. P,K,Mg,Ca,sediment High-intensity,high- I year Neutral Van Lear and loads severity surface fire Sediment and nutrient loads not Danielovich 1988 significantly increased.Increased c shrub vegetation following fire took up nutrients onsite. rD w Mercury(Hg)levels in Low-intensity,low-severity 100 years Neutral Riggs et al.2017 yellow perch(Perca surface fire and high- Hg levels higher in perch in water avescens) intensity,high-severity adjacent to burned and unburned N surface fire watersheds. �o 0 N� an m CCL m ..T C -n 3 Table 1.(Cont'd) Property Measured variables Fire type Study Result Citation a 0 0 duration Positive/Negative/Neutral 0 �, Physical Evapotranspiration Semi-annual burning before 80 years Positive Elliott et al.2017 ym, 0 1842 and light semi-annual Historical burning regime led to `° burning from 1842 to 1900 dominance by ring-porous species, ro N which used Iess water and led to z increases in water yields. Water yield Low-intensity,low-severity 14 years Neutral Hallema et al.2017 prescribed fire(during Decreased water yield could not be �o drought) attributed to fire alone. m� Water yield Multiple disturbances, 9 years Neutral Buma and Livneh,2017 < including insect outbreaks: No distinction made between a high-intensity,high- disturbance type.Positive correlation severity wildfire;low- between water yield and vegetation , intensity,low-severity percent cover. y prescribed fire;storm d damage w w Water yield Low-intensity,low-severity 40 years Positive Amatya et al.2007 o surface fares Increased water yield up to 2 years post-fire. Dissolved oxygen Unspecified intensity and 2 years Positive Hagerthy et al.2014 severity;81-91%of Increased dissolved oxygen. macrophyte vegetation consumed Biological Genetic diversity, Low-intensity,low-severity 4 months Positive Robertson et al.2017 effective population sizes surface fire and high- Biologically significant increases in of Hyla femoralis. intensity,high-severity genetic diversity and population sizes surface fire in ponds with high frequencies and intensities of burning. Z Small fish and decapod Unspecified intensity and 2 years Positive Hagerthey et al.2014 crustacean responses severity;81-91%of Alterations in C:N:P ratios led to macrophyte vegetation increased abundance of crayfish, consumed small fish,and shrimp. Relative Low-intensity,low-severity 2 months Positive Venne et al.2016 abundance/diversity of surface fire and high- Increased nutrients and light led to Z fish and periphyton intensity,high-severity increased periphyton and fish surface fire populations for 3-4 weeks post-burn. - - ...... ........... _ ... ..... __......_. - especially coagulant dosing (Smith et al. 2011;Chow et al.2013;Majidzadeh et al. 2017).At water treatment facilities,DOM reacts with chlorine or other oxidants form- ing carcinogenic disinfection byproducts (DBPs),such as chloroform(Sharifi et al. o o Co 2013;Writer et al.2014;Wang et al.2015). DBP ingestion or inhalation can have neg- ative impacts on human health,including Z bq bn bladder cancer,rectal cancer, and adverse T birth outcomes (Chow et al. 2009, 2011, V Liu et al. 2012). The Environmental Pro- tection Agency(EPA)regulates maximum contamination levels for two major classes of DBPs: trihalomethanes (THMs: 80 pg A o A A •r, L—t) and haloacetic acids (HAAs: 60 pg d4) .5 A bn L-1).Recent studies have documented that o n o o 42 unregulated nitrogenous (N-)DBPs,such rx $° 0 0 � M as haloacetonitriles (HANs) and N-nitro- ro0 0 0 � 0 0 Q sodimethylamine(NDMA),can have even n. A4 a ,a p more genotoxic effects than regulated car- o 4 o U q 0 to o bonaceous (C-)DBPs,THMs, and HAAs Co 2 (Plewa et al. 2002; Zeng et al. 2016), a°. v� w zin P..� zinw° � Fn1 .� °a, A severe wildfire can result in a significant obj) increase in DOM concentration,especially during storm events, for years after the 71 >,� 9 9 ,, y , too disturbance(Lmellco et al.2011).Besides „ DOM concentration, increases in DOM ra -0 ` v'� ..� y aromaticity (polycondensed aromatic structures such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, indicated by specific UV absorbance at 254 nm)and the abundance of hydrophobic compounds have also been observed after wildfire (Wang et al. 2015).Increases in DOM aromaticity can p, g A increase DOM reactivity in the formation of �g t 0 nitrogenous DBPs(Tsai ct al.2015;Wang 3 0 0 et al.2015).Increases in DOM aromaticity after wildfire may be due to white ash for- 6 U mation during intense wildfires(>510°C) Z whereas black ash,typical of low-intensity prescribed fires(200--500°C),can decrease o a o o DOM aromaticity (Wang et al. 2015). In 46. q Q4 M ft contrast to wildfire, formation of white ash in low-intensity(including prescribed) a, a a fires is often very limited;thus,changes in ADOM export and DBP formation can be minimal. Numerous laboratory and field studies Have shown a significant reduction of C-DBP formation potential following a a prescribed fire (Tsai et al. 2015; Wang U et al. 2015). However, Majidzadeh et al. �I (2015) showed in a laboratory study that post-fire DOM,even after a low-intensity H fire,can favor formation of N-DBPs.Pur- 52 Natural Areas Journal Volume 39 (1),2019 Domloaded From:https:/Ibtoone.orgrournalsiNatural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:https:lfbioone.orgllerms-of-uso Access provided by Natural Areas Association i i ther studies are necessary to quantify the nnacroinvertebrates, is the primary model need for fuel reduction, including the use formation of N-DBPs at field scales after used to quantify biological diversity and of prescribed fire, is expected to increase. prescribed burns. the health of a waterbody (Brooks et al. Furthermore,increasing human population 2013).Although no studies in the eastern increases the need for fuels management Physical Properties United States were identified that directly as more people move into fire-prone areas. related prescribed fire to IBI, some stud- Nowacki and Abrams (2008) concluded Water yield and dissolved oxygen content ics have examined prescribed fire timing that up to a century of fire exclusion in parts are two commonly monitored physical and frequency effects on the presence of of the East has initiated a positive feedback components of freshwater streams(Brooks particular biota.Venne et al.(2016)found cycle whereby microenvironnnental con- e( ,it. 2013). Studies of prescribed fire ef- that prescribed fire treatments in the Flor- ditions have become cooler, damper, and fects oil water yield in the eastern United ida Everglades led to short-term increases more shaded and fuel beds less flammable. States are limited. Elliott et al. (2017) of periphyton, which in turn increased This process,referred to as mesophication, explored 80 y of water flow and vegetation fish populations. Hagerthey et al. (2014) improves conditions for shade-tolerant, records at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory determined (fiat prescribed lire and the mesophytic species and degrades them and found that historically, due in part to application of herbicides have the potential for shade-intolerant, fire-adapted species, prescribed fire, ring-porous species (oaks to assist ineutrophic wet]and rehabilitation. including oaks and pines. One line of ev- and hickories) were dominant and eanse- Both studies attributed temporary changes idence for this process on the landscape is and hictly water yields were dominant nd c ores- in nutrient composition and increased light the widespread decline of oak regeneration ent-day conditions in which fire exclusion as the driving forces that enhanced habitat and the gradual replacement of oak forests has caused a shift in species composition for periphyton. Robertson et al. (2017) with types lacking a historical antecedent; diffuse-porous species concluded that frequent prescribed burning for instance,the switch in upland forests to to dominance by d such as red maple iffus t brrurt L.) and did not limit the genetic diversity or restrain dominance by red maple or yellow-poplar the connectivity between breeding ponds (Van Lear 2000), Some stands affected yellow-poplar(Llriodendron tulipifera L.), of the endemic pine woods tree frog(Hyla by long-term fire exclusion have proven Hallema et al.(2017)studied the effects of fentor-alis Bose, 1800)in Florida. resistant to restoration (Van Lear 2000; repeated prescribed fire on water yield in a South Carolina watershed. They found Kreye et al. 2018) and appear to have water yield decreased by 39%; however, Research Gaps altered decomposition rates, which affect there was no experimental control and soil nutrients{Alexander and Arthur 2014}, the decrease was more likely attributable Counter to the simplified fire intensity and Prescribed fire in the dormant season alone to a decrease a precipitation during the severity matrix in Figure 2, real-world does not necessarily enhance oak regenera- sample period than burning. Buena and prescribed fires in (lie East are complex (ions ufficiently for oaks to outcompete red sample per i 7) examined the influences phenomena(Loudermilk et al.2017;Yedi- maple,yellow-poplar,and other mesophyt- Livneh different disturbances such as insect nak et al.2018).The ecological effects of ic,fire-intolerant species that are replacing of harvesting,and fire(bath fire are dictated by numerous factors whose historically oak-dominated forests in many outbreak,timber wildfire and pre harvesting, ribed fire)on wateryield. combination is unique to each individual parts of the East (Oakman 2018). These The authors suggested that prescribed fire fire, varying greatly from one ecosystem challenges to prescribed fire implementa- can alter streamesteflow in Georgia and re to another and often among patches within tion, difficulties in effectively predicting other sires across the country; however, a single fire (Whelan 1997), and depend fire behavior,and a limited understanding they failed sites to separate country', effe is attributable heavily oil the season and weather condi- of fire effects on water quality and quantity to different disturbances. Hagerthey to lel. tions pre-,during,and post-fire.As topogra- are significant research gaps. Improved (20f different found that nprescribeds. Ha fire in the phy,fuel arrangement and composition,and understanding of burning in stands with Florida Everglades increased dissolved ox- weather interact in a specific location on a altered fuels and flora is needed to support ygen and led to higher diversity of aquatic given day, fire effects are variable across stewardship decision-making. flora and fauna,thereby facilitating a more the landscape(Coates et al.2018).Not all complex food web. eastern prescribed fires are ignited in flat Evidence from Coweeta Hydrologic terrain; they are increasingly being used Laboratory and other locations is consis- in the southern Appalachian Mountains tent with the mesophication hypothesis, Biological Properties (Yaussy and Waldrop 2010), the Ozarks confirming that long-term fire exclusion (Knapp et al.2017),and other steep sites. shifts forest species dynamics to more Biological components are often consid- mesophytic,fire-intolerant species(Elliott ered the most comprehensive and sensitive Climate change and projections of ex- and Vose 2011; Ryan et al. 2013; Elliott indicators of water quality (Plotiknoff tended growing seasons offer potential for et al. 2017). These species channel more and Wiseman 2001; Clapcott et al. 2012; increased fuel loads, increased incidence water into evapotranspiration, resulting Woznicki et al.2015).The Index of Biotic and severity of pests and disease, and in less groundwater and surface water Integrity(IBI),which is used to determine more frequent, longer, and more severe yield at the watershed scale (Caldwell et the presence and quantity of certain benthic droughts(Dale et al.2001).Therefore,the al. 2016). Increased use of prescribed fire Volume 39 (1), 2019 Natural Areas Journal 53 Downloaded From:Mips:llioioone.orgrjournalslNatural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:https:llbioone,orgllorms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association appears to lead to greater water yields in effects will become ever more critical.An ability to measure fire intensity and sever- watersheds in the historic range of oak— expanded understanding of prescribed fire ity and predict fire effects, which should hickory forests,such as at Price Mountain will provide managers and scientists with lead to improved prescriptions designed near Blacksburg, Virginia (Silver et al. more and better opportunities to predict and to produce specific short- and long-term 2013), it) south-central Illinois (Singh et then test the effects of specific practices and fire effects and minimize adverse impacts. ,it, 2017), and in coastal pine—hardwood their outcomes.This will further enhance Given our great dependence upon forests, forests of the southeastern Coastal.Plain prescribed fire professionals' abilities to shrublands, and grasslands for a broad on the Santee Experimental Forest,South protect watersheds and freshwater eco- array of ecosystem services, the potential Carolina(Amatya et al. 2006,2007). system integrity. impacts on water resources of all facets of land stewardship, including prescribed The water quality results on the Santee Ex- CONCLUSIONS fire,warrant greater scrutiny. petimental Forest complement the findings on water yield.After 40 y of comparison Research conducted to date suggests that ACKNOWLEDGMENTS between burned and unburned watersheds, prescribed fires in the eastern United water quality has been either unaffected or States have minimal detrimental effects The authors thank Dr. Mike Aust, Mr. temporarily enhanced immediately post- on the chemical, physical, and biological Johnny Stowe, and three anonymous re- fire by repeated prescribed fires (Richter properties of surface waters. In several viewers for their comments and reviews 1982;Amatya et al. 2007). These results cases, it appears that prescribed fire may of initial versions of this manuscript.Their may be related to the low intensity and low alter forest floor chemistry and overstory comments and feedback greatly enhanced severity of prescribed surface fires at Santee composition in ways that may improve the context and quality of this work. and in many fire-maintained forests of the both water quality and yield in forested eastern United States. Evidence suggests watersheds. Because most prescribed that fires with this prescription minimally fires are implemented under prescriptions Mt:George Hahn leas formerly a field for- alter forest floor chemistry,leaving behind that leave riparian buffer zones unburned, ester with Gelbert,Fulibright&Randolph a mixture of slightly binned or partially overall effects on water are typically either Forestry Consultants, PLLC, in Raleigh, charred material post-fire that minimizes negligible,slightly adverse but short-lived, North Carolina, where he performed water quality effects even if post-fire ero- or slightly beneficial. In almost every in- numerous forest management activities Sion occurs(Coates et al.2017),This pro- stance,prescribed fire effects on water are related to timber sales and reforestation. vides a stark contrast to studies suggesting inconsequential compared to the effects of He is currently a PhD Research Assistant substantial yields of polycyclic aromatic wildfires.Indeed,prescribed fires are often in the Department of Forest Resources and hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are known implemented to reduce fuels and decrease Environmental Conservation at Virginia carcinogens (Abdel-Shafy and Mansour the probability of an uncontrolled wildfire, Tech studying Appalachian fire ecology 2016), following wildfires (Olivella et al, taider the advisement of Dr:Adam Coates. 2005).Similar studies in large watersheds Our review indicates considerable need for are needed to understand the unique dy- additional research regarding the impacts Dr Arrant Coates is the Assistant Professor namics of many landscapes of the eastern of prescribed fire on water quality in the of Forest Fire Ecology and Management in United States where forested areas provide eastern United States, especially for sites the Department of Forest Resources and substantial quantities of water treated for and circumstances where moderate-sever Environmental Conservation at Virginia human use and consumption. ity fire will be applied to complex terrain. Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. hi this role, Additionally, managers need information he teaches and conducts research primarily Currently, prediction of prescribed fire's regarding the use of more intense and focused on fire behavior;fitels,fire effects, ecological effects at specific sites in the severe prescribed burns to achieve cer- an(I fire-adapted ecosystems in the eastern eastern United States is constrained by tain management objectives. Novel fire United States. incomplete information regarding the nu- effects might occur in many situations ances of fire behavior as affected by local where forest stands are burned after long Dr Roger Latham has been a researcher fuel conditions and terrain(Loudermilk et periods of fire exclusion, including high in fire ecology since 1982,while an wider- at, 2017).Enhanced technology is needed levels of duff consumption,immediate and graduate at Snvarthtnore College. In 1990 to parse the subtleties of fire dynamics, delayed mortality, and undesired changes he received a PhD in plant ecology at the such as levels of intensity and severity, in species composition or stand density. University of Pennsylvania's Department by improving our ability to evaluate them New methods and models that define heat of Biology and later spent four years as in the field accurately and at a fine spatial release in the conductive,convective,and a postdoc in biogeochemistry and fire scale; to hone predictive models based on radiative phases are being developed to ecology in Penn's Department of Geology, combinations of key site factors (Bova better define fire behavior and subsequent Since 2000 he has been a consultant ors and Dickinson 2008). With increasingly fire effects resulting from deliberate species recovery and ecosystem resto- greater areas being included in fire pre- burning on the landscape (Yedinak et al. ration, mainly for agencies and NGOs scription plans,better understanding of fire 2018). Such methods could enhance our that steward fire-dependent ecosystems 54 Natural Areas Journal Volume 39 (1), 2019 Downloaded From:https:libioone.orgtjournalsrNatural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Uso:https:flbioone.org/terms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association e i rich in species and ecological communi- wetlands in southwestern Georgia.American M.T.Brooks,J.P.Potyondy,L.Audin,S,L, ties of greatest conservation treed in the Midland Naturalist 150:15-25. Krieger,and C.C.Trettin,eds.,Cumulative mid-Atlantic region. Beyers, J., J. Brown, M, Busse, L. DeBano, Watershed Effects of Fuel Management in W. Elliot, P. Ffolliou, G,R, Jacoby, J.B. the Eastern United States.General Technical Knoepp,J.D.Landsberg,D.G.Neary,et al. Report GTR-SRS-161, US Department of Dy: Hamed Majidzadeh is currently the 2005.W'rldland Fire in Ecosystems:Effects Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Re- Coastal Environmental Qualit), Program of Fire on Soil and Water.General Technical search Station,Asheville,NC, Specialist at the South Carolina Sea Grant Report RMRS-GTR-42,US Department of Chow,A.T.,J. Dai,W.H.Conner,D.R. Hitch- Consortium. He was previously a Post- Agriculture Forest Service,Rocky Mountain cock, and J.-J. Wang. 2013. Dissolved doctoral Scholar at Clemson University, Research Station. organise matter and nutrient dynamics of a coastal freshwater forested wetland in Win- where lie studied impacts pf watershed Bixby, R.J., S.D. Cooper, R.E, Gresswell, Win- yah Bay,South Carolina,Biogeochemistry management (i.e., prescribed fire) and L.E.Brown,C.N. Dahm, and K,A,Dwire• 112;571-587. disturbances i.e., hurricanes on water 2015, Fire effects on aquatic ecosystems; ( An assessment of the current state of the Chow,A.T.,S,-T.Lee,A.T.O'Geen,T.Orozco, quality and export of organic matlen science.Freshwater Science 34:1340-1350, D,Beaudette,D.,P.-K,Wong,RJ, Hernes, K,W.Tate,and R.A.Dahlgren,2009.Litter Bladon, K.D., M.B. Emelko, U. Silins, and contributions to dissolved organic matter LITERATURE CITED M. Stone.2014,Wildfire and the future of and disinfection byproduct precursors in water supply. Environmental Science and California oak woodland watersheds.Journal Abdel-Shafy,H.A.,and M.S.M.Mansour,2016. Technology 48:8936-8943. of Environmental Quality 38:2334-2343, A review on polycyclic aromatic hydrocar- Boerner,R.E.J.,J.A.Brinkman,and A.Smith. Chow,A.T.,A.T. O'Geen,R,A. Dahigren,F.J. bons:Source,environmental impact,effect 2005.Seasonal variations in enzyme activity Dfaz, K.-H.Wong, and P.-K. 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International Journal of Wildland Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, southern Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Fire 18:96-115. California,Forest Ecology and Management Review 44:253-329, Moody, J.A., D.A. Martin, and S.H. Cannon. 256:36-45. 2008. Post-wildfire erosion response in Kreye, J.K., J.M. Varner, G.V. Hamby, and p Grace, J.M, 1H, R.W. Skaggs, and G.M. J.M. Kane. 2018. Mesophytic litter damp- two geologic terrains in the western USA. Chescheir. 2006, Hydrologic and water ens flammability in fire-excluded pyro- Geomorphology 95:103-118. quality effects of thinning loblolly pine, phytie oak-hickory woodlands. Ecosphere National Interagency Fire Center.2018.Histor- American Society of Agricultural and Bi- 9:c02078 ical year-end fire statistics by state.National ological Engineers 49:645-654. Interagency Coordination Center,Boise,ID, Lafayette,R.,M.Brooks,J.Polyondy,L.Audin, Guyette, R.P., and M.A, Spetich. 2003. Fire Accessed 5 June 2018 from<https://www. S.Krieger,and is offTre el ma 1 g2.Cumulative iiifc.gov/firclnfo/fircitifo-statistics,litjnt>, history of oak-pine forests in the Lower watershed effects of fuel management in the g Boston Mountains,Arkansas,USA, Forest eastern United States. General Technical Neary,D.G„G.G.lee,and R.C.Jackson,2009. Ecology and Management 180:463-474, Report SRS-161,US Department of Agri- Linkages between forest soils and water Hagerthey,S,E.,M.I.Cook,R.Mac Kobza,S. culture Forest Service, Southern Research quality and quantity. Forest Ecology and Newman,and B.J.Bellinger.2014,Aquatic Station,Asheville,NC, Management 258:2269-2281. faunal responses to an induced regime shift Liu, G.,Y, Cai, and N. O'Driscoll,2012. En- Nowacki, G.J., and M.D.Abrams, 2008, The in the pliosphorus-impacted Everglades, vironmental Chemistry and Toxicology of demise of fire and"mesophication"of forests Freshwater Biology 59:1389-1405. Mercury.John Wiley&Sons,Hoboken,NJ. in the eastern United States. BioScience Hallema, D.W., G. Sun, P.V. Caldwell, S.P. Loudermilk,E.L.,J.K.Hiers,and J.J.O'Brien. 58:123-138. Norman, E.C. Cohen, Y. Liu, E.J. Ward, 2017. The role of fuels for understanding Oakman, E. 2018. 15 years of fire and fire and S.G. McNulty. 2017, Assessment of fire behavior and fire effects.Pp.107-122 in surrogate treatment effects on understory wildland fire impacts on watershed annual L.K.Kirkman and S.B.Jack,eds.,Ecological vegetation in the Southern Appalachian water yield:Analytical framework and case Restoration and Management of Longleaf Mountains, USA. MS thesis, Clemson studies in the United States.Ecohydrology Pine Forests,CRC Press,Boca Raton,FL. University,Georgetown,SC. 56 Natural Areas Journal Volume 39 (1), 2019 Downloaded From:https:/lbioone.orgrlournaislNatural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:htips:llbloone.org/terms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association 1 a Olivella, M,A„T•G. Ribalta,A•R, de Ferber, an old-growth oak forest in western Mary- Van Lear, D.H., and S.J. Danielovich, 1988. J.M, Mollet, and RX,C, de has Heras, land. Canadian Journal of Forest Research Soil movement after broadcast burning in 2005. Distribution of polycyclic aromatic 31:1437-1443. the southern Appalachians.SouthernJourn11 hydrocarbons in riverine waters after Med- Silver,E.J.,J.H.Speer,M.Kaye,N.J.Reo,L.P. of Applied Forestry 12:49-53. iterrancan Forest fires. Science of the Total Howard,A.K.Anning,S.W.Wood,and H.M. Venne, L.S., J.C.Trexler, and P.C. Frederick. Environment 355:156-166• Wilbur.2013.Fire h i story andage,structure of 2016,Prescribed burn creates pulsed effects Pereira,P.,X,Ubeda, and D.A.Martin.2012• an oakpine forest on Price Mountain,Virgin- on a wetland aquatic community,Hydrobi- Fire severity effects on ash chemical com- ia,USA.Natural A reas Journal 33:440-446. ologia 771:281-295• position and water-extractable elements. Singh, G., J.E. Schoonover, K.S• Monroe, Waldrop, TA., and S.L. Goodrick, 2012. In- Geoderma 191:105-114. K.W. Williard, and C.M. Ruffner. 2017. traductian to Prescribed Fire in Southern Plewa,M,J•,Y.Kargalioglu,D.Vankerk,R.A. Prescribed burning and erosion potential in Ecosystems.US Department of Agriculture Mincar,and E.D.Wagner.2002,Mammalian mixed hardwood Forests of southern Illinois. Forest Service,Asheville,NC. cell cytotoxicity and genotoxicity analysis Forests 8:1-20. Wang, J.J., R.A. Dahlgren, M.S• Er an, T. of drinking water disinfection by-products. Smith,H.G.,G.J.Sheridan,P.N.J.Lane,P.Ny- Karanfil, and A,T• Chow. 2016. Temporal Environmental and Molecular Mutagenesis man,and S.Haydon.2011.Wildfire effects variations of disinfection byproduct pre- 40:134-142• on water quality in forest catcliments: A cursors in wildfire detritus,Water Research Plotnikoff,R.,and W.Wiseman.2001.Benthic review with implications for water supply. 99:66-73. Macroinvertebrate Biological Monitoring Journal of Hydrology 396:170-192• Nang J J R.A. Dahlgren, M,S, Er an, T. Protocols for Rivers and Streams (No.01- Smith, K.T., and E.K. Sutherland. 2006. Re- Karanfil, and A.T. Chow, 2015, Wildfire 3-28). Washington Stale Department of sislance of eastern hardwood stems to fire altering terrestrial precursors ofdisinfeclion Ecology,Olympia, injury and damage. Pp. 210-217 in M.B. byproducts in forest del ritus.Environmental Richter, D. 1982. Prescribed fire: Effects on Dickinson,ed.,Fire in Eastern Oak Forests: Science and Technology 49:5921-5929. water quality and forest nutrient cycling. Delivering Science to Land Managers,Gen- Wendel, G.W., and H,C,Smith. 1986. Effects Science 215:661-663. cral Technical Report NRS-P-1,US Depart- meat of Agriculture Forest Service,Northern of a prescribed fire in a central Appalachian Riggs, C•E., R.K. Kolka, E.A. Nater, E.L. Research Station,Newtown Square,PA. oak-hickory stand. Research Paper NE- Witt, T.R. Wickman, L.G. Woodruff, and 594, US Department of Agriculture Forest Stanturf,J.A.,D.W.Wade,T.A.Waldrop,D.K. Service, Northeastern Forest Experiment J,T. Butcher. 2017. Yellow perch (Percy p flan>escerrs)mercury unaffected by wildland Kennard, and G.L. Aclitemeier. 2002• Pp. Station,Broomall,PA• fires in northern Minnesota.Journal of En- 607-630 in D.M. Wear and J. Greis, eds., Whelan,R.J. 1997,The Ecology of Fire.Cam- vironment Quality46:623-631, Southern Forest Resource Assessment. bridge University Press,New York. Robertson J.M.,S.W.Fitzpatrick,B.B.Rollrer- General Technical Report SRS-53, US p Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Woznicki,S.A.,A.P.Nejadhashemi,D.M.Ross, mel, and L.M. Chan. 2017. Fire does not Southern Research Station,Asheville,NC. Z.Zhang,L.Wang, and A•-H,Esfahaman. strongly affect genetic diversity or structure 2015.Ecohydrological model parameter se- of a common treefrog in the endangered Flor- Tsai, K.-P., M.-F. Rogers,A.T. Chow, and F. lection for stream health evaluation.Science ida scrub.Journal of Heredity 109:243-252. Diaz.2015.Prescribed fire alters dissolved of The Total Environment 511:341-353. organic matter and disinfection by-product Robichaud,P., and T. Waldrop, 1994.A com- precursor in forested watersheds-Part II, Writer,J.H.,A.Hohner,J.Oropeza,A,Schmidt, parisonofsurface runoff and sediment yields A controlled field study.Pp.293-306 in T. K.M. Cawley, and F.L. Rosario Ortiz. from low and high severity site preparation Karanfill, B. Mitch, P. Westerhoff, and Y. 2014. Water treatment implications after burns.American Water Resources Associa- Xie,eds•,Recent Advances in Disinfection the High Park Wildfire, Colorado. Journal tion 30:27-34, By-Products,American Chemical Society, of the American Water Works Association Robiune, F•, K.D. Bladon, C. Miller, M.-A. Washington,DC, 106:E189-E199, Parisien, J. Mathieu, and M.D. Flannigan, Tsai,K.-P.,H.Uzun,T.Karanfil,and.A.T,Chow, Yaussy, D.A., and TA, Waldrop, 2010. De- 2019, A spatial evaluation of global 2017. Dynamic changes of disinfection layed mortality of eastern hardwoods after wildfire water risks to human and natural byproduct precursors following exposures prescribed fire. Pp, 609-612 in J•A. Stan- systems. Science of the Total Environ- of Microcystis aeruginosa to wildfire ash turf, ed., Proceedings of the 14th Biennial ment 6101611:1193-1206. solutions.Environmental Science and't'ech- Southern Silvicultural Research Conference. Ryan,K.C.,E.R.Knapp,and J.M.Varner.2013, nology 51:8272-8282. General Technical Report SRS-121, US Prescribed fire in North American forests US Environmental Protection Agency. 2016. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, and woodlands: History, current practice, Ecoregions of North America. Accessed Southern Research Station,Asheville,NC, and challenges, Frontiers in Ecology and 5 June 2018 from <ht(ps://www.epa.goN,/ Yedinak, K•M•, E.K. Strand, J,K, Hiers, and Environment 11:e15-e24, eco-research/ecoregions-north-america>. J.M. Varner. 2018• Embracing complexity Shari 1i, A., L. Kalin, M,M, Hantush, S, Isik, Van Lear,D.H.2000•Recent advances in the sil- to advance the science of wildland fire and T.E. Jordan, 2013, Carbon dynamics vicultural use ofprescribed fire.Pp.183-189 behavior. Fire 1(2):20, and export from flooded wetlands: A in W.K. Moser and C.F. Moser, eds., Fire Zeng,T., M.J. Plewa, and W.A. Mitch, 2016• modeling approach. Ecological Modeling and Forest Ecology,Innovative Silviculture N-nitrosamines and halogenated disinfection 263:196-210. and Vegetation Management, Tall Timbers byproducts in U.S.full advanced treatment Shumway, D.L., M.D. Abrams, and C.M. Fire Ecology Conference Proceedings,Tall trains for potable reuse. Water Research Ruffner. 2001. 400-year history of fire in Timbers Research Station,Tallahassee,FL. 101:176-186. Volume 39 (1), 2019 Natural Areas journal 57 Downloaded From:https://bJoone.orgljournalsINatural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:htips,lbloone.orglterms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association j y Important Prescribed Fire Facts and Background Information For more info; httpjjwww.thetrustees.org]prescri bed burn sxfrn The Fire Partnership at Weir and Boston Hill • In 2008 The Trustees of Reservations, in partnership with the Town of North Andover and its municipal fire department, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Region 5 Fire Bureau, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service successfully implemented a Fire Management Program at Weir Hill, North Andover.The goal of the program is three fold; 1) improve public and firefighter safety by reducing the amount of leaves, dead wood and plants that can burn (fuel load), 2) provide training opportunities for North Andover Fire Fighters; and 3) promote biodiversity at Weir Hill by restoring fire-dependent landscapes. • In its first year, the partnership used prescribed fire (described below) to restore 13 acres of grassland, woodland and shrubland habitats, and provided valuable training for North Andover and Boxford Firefighters. It is noteworthy that this spring was one of the most fire active seasons in Massachusetts history, with firefighters responding to several hundred wildfires across the state. Many of the firefighters that participated in prescribed fire activities and training at Weir Hill,were called upon to use those skills in suppressing wildfires throughout the region during the latter part of the season. • One of the partnership's hopes is to provide a model for the use of prescribed fire to manage habitat and reduce wildfire threat throughout Essex County. To that end,The Trustees has continued to restore fire-adapted habitats and expand its Fire Management Program to Weir Hill and Ward Reservations in North Andover. • The program continues, and over the course of the growing season with a priority on spring, this partnership will apply prescribed fire (description below) to 20-30 acres at Weir Hill and Ward Reservation (Boston Hill)to improve public and firefighter safety by reducing fuel load, provide training opportunities for firefighters, and protect and promote rare species and wildlife habitat. Fire's Ecological Role and History at Weir and Boston Hill • Fire is an important process in maintaining habitats for many species of plants and animals. While historically lightning may have caused fires, Native Americans regularly burned areas to improve forage, stimulate berry and acorn production, and ease travel routes. Many plants and animals are dependent on periodic fires for their reproduction, growth, and survival. Throughout Massachusetts, the development of towns, roads, and farmlands, combined with effective fire suppression, has stopped fire from moving across the land as it once did. As a result, habitats dependent on fire are in decline, and approximately 30%of the plants and animals listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act benefit from or depend upon 1 '' habitats created and maintained by fire. • Eighty acres of Weir Hill's dry southwest facing slope are prone to fire, and for centuries, and perhaps millennia given [Native American occupancy of the area, the property has burnt on a regular basis. Between 1960 and 1980, the (North Andover Fire Department responded to an average of two wildfires a year; the last large blaze occurred in 1995, burning 60 acres over two days. Since the1995 fire, fuel conditions have grown and are now conducive to a large-scale wildfire. A similar history has occurred on Boston Hill at the Ward Reservation. • This long, uninterrupted history of frequent fire has created some of Essex County's most significant fire-influenced plant communities supporting several rare and uncommon species dependent on fire. Indeed, the properties have become a refuge for several fire-dependent species that are uncommon throughout Massachusetts. Given the significance of this fire dependent landscape,The Trustees has committed to restoring and managing these habitats using strategies such as prescribed fire. Prescribed Fire and Prescription for Weir and Boston Hill • Prescribed fire is a fire intentionally ignited under specific (prescribed) conditions by trained fire professionals to achieve specific management objectives. Prescribed burning restores fires to the landscape in a controlled manner and reduces the threat of wildfire by reducing the buildup of dead wood and other debris (fuel), Prescribed burns are conducted by trained fire professionals who have studied fire behavior and fire control techniques to ensure the safety of the burn crew, nearby residents, and private property. o Prescribed fires at Weir and Boston Hill will be conducted under the leadership of a certi ied rp escribed fire leader and the Massachusetts District Fire Warden utilizing a professionally trained burn crew. • Planning is the key to a safe and effective prescribed burn, Before fire is applied to the land, a rigorous planning process is undertaken to determine the acceptable conditions under which the burn will be conducted.The conditions are written up in a document called a "prescription," which includes expected fire behavior, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and dryness of the vegetation, along with a plan describing how fire will be ignited and contained. By following a prescription, fire managers are able to accomplish the objective of the burn and provide for public safety. o Joel Carlson of Northeast Forest and Fire Management, LLC has written the fire prescription for Weir and Boston Hill and will serve as burn boss and coordinate prescribed fire activity at the properties. These fire plans have received rigorous peer-review by fire professionals from across the country. • Fire breaks, which surround the area to be burned, prevent the fire from moving onto adjacent land. A fire break may be a road or trail, mowed line, a natural feature such as a steam or pond, or a recently burned area. During the burn, fire breaks are patrolled by burn crew members who use specialized fire tools, backpack water pumps, and water-carrying pump tucks to ensure that the fire does not cross the fire break. Crew members wear special fire resistant clothing to protect themselves during the burn. 2 o At Weir Hill, several natural fire breaks have historically contained fire within the 80-acre footprint of Weir Hill's southern slope: the shores of Lake Cochichewick surround the area on three sides, and the cool, moist slope of the drumlin's north face limits the potential for fire to burn down the backside of the hill. In addition, recent clearing associated with habitat restoration has created additional fuel breaks, dividing the area into manageable burn units. o Burn units at Boston Hill are delineated by several trails and natural and manmade fire breaks which have confined fire's influence to the Hill's southwest slope and divide the area into manageable burn units. o Once initial burns are completed and fuel loads reduced, burn units can be maintained with periodic low-intensity fires, sustaining the habitat value of the area while protecting public safety and private property. Once burned, specific areas will not need to be burned for several years, limiting the size and frequency of controlled fire at Weir and Boston Hill. • Controlling where smoke will go is an important part of every prescribed burn. Before each burn, fire manages look carefully at smoke sensitive areas, this information is incorporated into the burn prescription so that the burn will only be conducted when winds will move smoke up and away from populated areas. Periodic prescribed burns prevent heavy brush accumulation, which would send a larger amount of smoke into the air if a wildfire were to occur. o Whereas the 1995 wildfire at Weir Hill burned for two days, prescribed fire will reduce fuel loads under conditions conducive to smoke dispersal and in a controlled fashion- an acre at a time, minimizing the threat to public safety and property from smoke and fire hazards. • Given the hills' extensive fire histories, it is not a question of if, but when fire will return.The partners wish to mitigate the risks associated with wildfire by reducing forest fuels in a controlled manner. Applying prescribed fire allows managers to position equipment and firefighters in advance and select the conditions under which a fire will burn; in turn, manages are able to greatly control fire behavior. Instead of scorching 30-50 acres in a single wildfire, the partners will strategically reduce fuel loads an acre at a time, minimizing the threat to public safety and property from a possibly larger, uncontrolled wildfire, About The Trustees The Trustees preserves and cares for some of Massachusetts'most treasured natural,scenic,and historic sites for public use and enjoyment. Founded in 1891,The Trustees is the first land preservation nonprofit of its kind in the world and the commonwealth's largest conservation and preservation organization.With a passion for protecting the irreplaceable for everyone,forever,The Trustees is focusing its renewed mission an connecting more people of all ages and interests to outdoor recreation,culture,agriculture,and healthy,active living using its 116 diverse properties, community spaces,and over 5,000 annual programs as a powerful and compelling platform.Located within minutes of every resident and visited by 1.75 million people in 2016,Trustees properties span more than 27,000 acres across the state—from working farms,landscaped and urban gardens,and community parks,to barrier beaches,forests, campgrounds, inns and historic sites,many of which are National Historic Landmarks,The Trustees is also a worldwide model and active leader in land conservation,serving as the largest private holder of conservation restrictions of any entity In the state,overseeing the protection of more than 20,000 acres,and working with community's partners to protect additional land,totaling over 25,000 acres to date.Also a leader in the local,sustainable food movement,The Trustees operates five working farms with CSA programs,holds over 2,000 acres of farmland,and is a founding partner of the Boston Public Market,the first all locally-sourced indoor market of its kind in the nation,where it runs all educational programming at the Market's demonstration KITCHEN and is one of 40 on-site vendors. Funded by our nearly 125,000 members and supported by many generous donors, partners, and volunteers,The Trustees invites all to get out,get inspired,and find magic in the moment through a Trustees program or property: www.thetrustees,or_g. 3 EE 1 I E Important Prescribed Fire Facts and Background Information For more info: htCp://www,thetrustees,csrg/prescri bed Eaurns.cfrn i The Fire Partnership at Weir and Boston Hill • In 2008 The Trustees of Reservations, in partnership with the Town of North Andover and its municipal pal fire department, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Region 1 S Fire Bureau, the Massachusetts Natural Heritage and Endangered Species Program, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service successfully implemented a Fire Management Program at Weir Hill, North Andover. The goal of the program is three fold: 1) improve public and firefighter safety by reducing the amount of leaves, dead wood and plants that can burn (fuel load), 2) provide training opportunities for North Andover Fire Fighters; and 3) promote biodiversity at Weir Hill by restoring fire-dependent landscapes. • In its first year, the partnership used prescribed fire (described below) to restore 13 acres of grassland, woodland and shrubland habitats, and provided valuable training for North Andover and Boxford Firefighters. It is noteworthy that this spring was one of the most fire active seasons in Massachusetts history, with firefighters responding to several hundred wildfires across the state. Many of the firefighters that participated in prescribed fire activities and training at Weir Hill, were called upon to use those skills in suppressing wildfires throughout the region during the latter part of the season. • One of the partnership's hopes is to provide a model for the use of prescribed fire to manage habitat and reduce wildfire threat throughout Essex County. To that end, The Trustees has continued to restore fire-adapted habitats and expand its Fire Management Program to Weir Hill and Ward Reservations in North Andover. • The program continues, and over the course of the growing season with a priority on spring, this partnership will apply prescribed fire (description below) to 20-30 acres at Weir Hill and Ward Reservation (Boston Hill) to improve public and firefighter safety by reducing fuel load, provide training opportunities for firefighters, and protect and promote rare species and wildlife habitat. Fire's Ecological Role and History at Weir and Boston Hill • Fire is an important process in maintaining habitats for many species of plants and animals. While historically lightning may have caused fires, Native Americans regularly burned areas to improve forage, stimulate berry and acorn production, and ease travel routes. Many plants and animals are dependent on periodic fires for their reproduction, growth, and survival. Throughout Massachusetts, the development of towns, roads, and farmlands, combined with effective fire suppression, has stopped fire from moving across the land as it once did. As a result, habitats dependent on fire are in decline, and approximately 30% of the plants and animals listed under the Massachusetts Endangered Species Act benefit from or depend upon 1 I habitats created and maintained by fire. • Eighty acres of Weir Hill's dry southwest facing slope are prone to fire, and for centuries, and perhaps millennia given Native American occupancy of the area, the property has burnt on a regular basis. Between 1960 and 1980, the North Andover Fire Department responded to an average of two wildfires a year; the last large blaze occurred in 1995, burning 60 acres over two days. Since the1995 fire, fuel conditions have grown and are now conducive to a large-scale wildfire. A similar history has occurred on Boston Hill at the Ward Reservation. • This long, uninterrupted history of frequent fire has created some of Essex County's most significant fire-influenced plant communities supporting several rare and uncommon species dependent on fire. Indeed, the properties have become a refuge for several fire-dependent species that are uncommon throughout Massachusetts. Given the significance of this fire dependent landscape, The Trustees has committed to restoring and managing these habitats using strategies such as prescribed fire. Prescribed Fire and Prescription for Weir and Boston HiII • Prescribed fire is a fire intentionally ignited under specific (prescribed) conditions by trained fire professionals to achieve specific management objectives. Prescribed burning restores fires to the landscape in a controlled manner and reduces the threat of wildfire by reducing the buildup of dead wood and other debris (fuel). Prescribed burns are conducted by trained fire professionals who have studied fire behavior and fire control techniques to ensure the safety of the burn crew, nearby residents, and private property. o Prescribed fires at Weir and Boston Hill will be conducted under the leadership of a certi ied prescribed_fire leader and the Massachusetts District Fire Warden utilizing a professionally trained burn crew. • Planning is the key to a safe and effective prescribed burn. Before fire is applied to the land, a rigorous planning process is undertaken to determine the acceptable conditions under which the burn will be conducted. The conditions are written up in a document called a "prescription," which includes expected fire behavior, relative humidity, wind speed and direction, air temperature, and dryness of the vegetation, along with a plan describing how fire will be ignited and contained. By following a prescription, fire managers are able to accomplish the objective of the burn and provide for public safety. o Joel Carlson of Northeast Forest and Fire Management, L.L.0 has written the fire prescription for Weir and Boston Hill and will serve as burn boss and coordinate prescribed fire activity at the properties. These fire plans have received rigorous peer-review by fire professionals from across the country. • Fire breaks, which surround the area to be burned, prevent the fire from moving onto adjacent land. A fire break may be a road or trail, mowed line, a natural feature such as a steam or pond, or a recently burned area. During the burn, fire breaks are patrolled by burn crew members who use specialized fire tools, backpack water pumps, and water-carrying pump tucks to ensure that the fire does not cross the fire break. Crew members wear special fire resistant clothing to protect themselves during the burn. 2 i oAt Weir Hill, several natural fire breaks have historically contained fire within the 80-acre footprint of Weir Hill's southern slope: the shores of Lake Cochichewick surround the area on three sides, and the coal, moist slope of the drumlin's north face limits the potential for fire to burn dowry the backside of the hill. In addition, recent clearing associated with habitat restoration has created additional fuel breaks, dividing the area into manageable burn units. o Burn units at Boston Hill are delineated by several trails and natural and manmade fire breaks i which have confined fire's influence to the Hill's southwest slope and divide the area into manageable burn units. o Once initial burns are completed and fuel loads reduced, burn units can be maintained with periodic low-intensity fires, sustaining the habitat value of the area while protecting public safety and private property. Once burned, specific areas will not need to be burned for several years, limiting the size and frequency of controlled fire at Weir and Boston Hill. • Controlling where smoke will go is an important part of every prescribed burn. Before each burn, fire manages look carefully at smoke sensitive areas, this information is incorporated into the burn prescription so that the burn will only be conducted when winds will move smoke up and away from populated areas. Periodic prescribed burns prevent heavy brush accumulation, which would send a larger amount of smoke into the air if a wildfire were to occur. o Whereas the 1995 wildfire at Weir Hill burned for two days, prescribed fire will reduce fuel loads under conditions conducive to smoke dispersal and in a controlled fashion - an acre at a time, minimizing the threat to public safety and property from smoke and fire hazards. • Given the hills' extensive fire histories, it is not a question of if, but when fire will return. The partners wish to mitigate the risks associated with wildfire by reducing forest fuels in a controlled manner. Applying prescribed fire allows managers to position equipment and firefighters in advance and select the conditions under which a fire will burn; in turn, manages are able to greatly control fire behavior. Instead of scorching 30-60 acres in a single wildfire, the partners will strategically reduce fuel loads an acre at a time, minimizing the threat to public safety and property from a possibly larger, uncontrolled wildfire. About The Trustees The Trustees preserves and cares for some of Massachusetts' most treasured natural,scenic,and historic sites for public use and enjoyment. Founded in 1891,The Trustees is the first land preservation nonprofit of its kind in the world and the Commonwealth's largest conservation and preservation organization.with a passion for protecting the irreplaceable for everyone,forever,The Trustees is focusing its renewed mission on connecting more people of all ages and interests to outdoor recreation,culture,agriculture,and healthy, active living using its 116 diverse properties, community spaces, and over 5,000 annual programs as a powerful and compelling platform. located within minutes of Every resident and visited by 1.75 million people In 2016,Trustees properties span more than 27,000 acres across the state—from working farms, landscaped and urban gardens,and community parks,to barrier beaches,forests, campgrounds, inns and historic sites, many of which are National Historic landmarks.The Trustees is also a worldwide model and active leader in land conservation,serving as the largest private holder of conservation restrictions of any entity in the state,overseeing the protection of more than 20,000 acres,and working with community's partners to protect additional land,totaling over 25,000 acres to date.Also a leader in the local,sustainable food movement,The Trustees operates five working farms with CSA programs, holds over 2,000 acres of farmland,and is a founding partner of the Boston Public Market,the first all locally-sourced indoor market of its kind in the nation,where it runs all educational programming at the Market's demonstration KITCHEN and is one of 40 on-site vendors. Funded by our nearly 125,000 members and supported by many generous donors, partners,and volunteers,The Trustees invites all to get out,get inspired,and find magic in the moment through a Trustees program or property:www.thetr_ustees,o_rg. 3