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Home My WebLink About2022-04-05 Application WSP PLANNING DEPARTMENT Community&Economic Development Division Special Permit—Watershed Permit Application Please type or print clearly. 1.Petitioner: The Trustees of Reservation(Jeffrey Denoncour Coastal Ecologist) Petitioner's Address: 290.Argilia Road, Ipswich, MA 01938 Telephone number&email: 978-870-1280,jdenoncour@thetrustees.org 2.Owners of the Land: The Trustees of Reservations Address: 200 High Street 4th Floor. Boston, MA 02110 Number of years of ownership: 54 3.Year lot was created.-, CrIca1900 4. Is the lot currently on septic or sewer? No If on sewer,please provide date the sewer connection was completed., 5. Description of Proposed Project: l3agen"AR4MW age MORI At 1610 11101 prove, ponuthinninQ thataIkWand the barrens habitat footprint from 47 to 60 acres.An Operations and Management Plan for routine habitat management VVI I movy mowing W s needed to li i p No 0.1;.0 I I[all Itain all OV laulkc"' 1111b I OR killu Wthin hp 60 Acres of ne ' d iDyas[ve-S .,=nn alL of flin Infuonrpfi ar(ens. Project Intendedto benefit the conservation value or Weir Hill,Improve blodiversity,habitat for endangered species,habitat I spetM of U-reatest conservation eed and w Will e nia,i ume 6.Description of Premises: conservation Land 7.Address of Property Being Affected, 0 Stevens Street Zoning District: RAgidence 1 U Assessors Map: 036.0-000B-0000.0—Lot M Registry of Deeds: Book#: 1122 -Page#., 57 8.Existing Lot: Lot Area(Sq.Ft): 5,052,960 Building Height: N/A Street Frontage: 742R Side Setbacks: Front Setback: Rear Setback: Floor Area Ratio: Lot Coverage:. 9.Proposed Lot(If applicable)* Lot Area(Sq. Ft): Building Height: Street Frontage: Side Setbacks: Page I of 2 120 Main Street,Planning Dept,, North Andover,Massachusetts 01845 Phone 978.688.9536 Fax 978.688.9542 Web www,northandoverma.gov Front Setback: Rear Setback: Floor Area Ratio: Lot Coverage: 10. Required Lot(as required by Zoning Bylaw): Lot Area(Sq. Ft): Building Height: Street Frontage: Side Setbacks: Front Setback: Rear Setback: Floor Area Ratio Lot Coverage: 11. Existing Building(if applicable): N/A Ground Floor(Sq.Ft.): #of Floors: Total Sq. Ft.: Height: Use: Type of Construction: 12.Proposed Building: NIA Ground Floor(Sq, Ft,): #of Floors: Total Sq.Ft. Height: Use: Type of Construction: 13,Has there been a previous application for a Special Permit from the Planning Board on these premises? Yes If so,when and for what type of construction? 8/15/19 Parking Lot 14. Section of Zoning Bylaw that Special Permit Is Being Requested Watershed Protection District 15. Petitioner and Landowner signature(s): Every application for a Special Permit shall be made on this form, which is the official form of the Planning Board. Every application shall be filed with the Town Clerk's office, It shall be the responsibility of the petitioner to furnish all supporting documentation with this application. The dated copy of this application received by the Town Clerk or Planning Office does not absolve the applicant from this responsibility. The petitioner shall be responsible for all expenses for filing and legal notification, Failure to comply with application requirements, as cited herein and in the Planning Board Rules and Regulations may result in a dismissal by the Planning Board of this application as incom !e Petitioner's Signature: erdwM4 Print or type name here: Je r en ncour Owner's Signature: Print or type name here: Jeff y emt&r 16.Please list title of plans and documents you will be attaching to this application. Welr Hill Barrens Habitat Management Project North Andover,MA„ Weir Hill Barrens Habitat Management Operations and Maintenance Plan Request far a Waiver of Certain Watershed Protection D€strict Special Permit Requirements, rim Simmons Letter Weir Hili 2 i 12D2D, urn an p a e_ eir i amens a i a ana emen 00 We i amens a sept Mmo_ofSuppor# ConseationComission,Proscribed_Burn_Fact_ _ pdated2017,We Hii]Flre History Page 2 of 2 k 120 Main Street,Planning Dept.,North Andover, Massachusetts 01845 Phone 978.688.9535 Fax 978.688,9542 Web www,northandoyerma:.ov 1 Ii Request for a Waiver of Certain Watershed Protection District Special Permit Requirements 7�P Dear Planning Department and Planning Board, As part of The Trustees application for a Watershed Protection District Special Permit for barrens habitat management at Weir Hill,we are requesting you consider waiving the following conditions due to the nature this project. • C. 2. Map at a scale of one inch equals 40 feet prepared by a registered professional engineer or surveyor showing: The Trustees request that you consider waiving maps the one inch equals 40 feet and the requirement that maps be prepared by a registered professional engineer of surveyor. We request that you consider the maps include in the project description that were prepared by Trustees Ecologists using ESRI ArcGIS as an acceptable alternative. • C.6. Evidence that all on-site operations including, but not limited to, construction, wastewater disposal,fertilizer applications and septic systems will not create concentrations of Nitrogen in groundwater, greater than the Federal limit at the down gradient property boundary. • C.7. Projections of downgradient concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus and other relevant chemicals at property boundaries and other locations deemed pertinent by the SPCA. The intended outcome of this project is to improve natural functions and increase vegetative cover that would improve the lands' ability to filter nutrients. Since no direct nutrient inputs(i.e., fertilizer, animal waste),construction (impervious surface) or wastewater generation will be part of the habitat restoration,we are requesting a waiver of the following. Sincerely, * V,,— The Trustees of Reservations Jeffrey Denoncour(Coastal Ecologist) denoneour thetrustees,or office#978-870-1280 1 Weir Hill Barrens Habitat Management Project North Andover, MA r �w ;, ; Purpose Weir Hill is a 194-acre property, owned and managed by The Trustees, and is ecologically diverse for its small size, containing a variety of habitat, including 80 acres of fire influenced barrens habitat which is rare and declining especially in northeastern Massachusetts. The barrens habitat has been a focus of management at Weir Hill because of its regional significance and the wildlife it supports, including state-listed endangered species. Since 2006, The Trustees have restored and improved upon 47 acres of this landscape through canopy thinning, heavy mowing, and prescribed fire. In December of 2021,The Trustees of Reservations (The Trustees) were awarded a MassWildlife Climate Change Resiliency Grant Opportunity(CCRGO) (https://www.mLiss,gov/gttides/i-nasswiIdlife-habitat-miiia i,cment- :rant- ro 7rani-rrtlim ) to conduct an additional 13 acres of canopy thinning that will expand restored barrens habitat from 47 to 60 acres. This grant requires the 13 acres of canopy thinning to be completed by June 30"', 2022. A portion of the grant funded habitat expansion and necessary routine management to sustain barrens habitat is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act,North Andover Wetlands Protection By-Laws, and the Lake Cochichewick Watershed Protection District Buffer Zones. In 2020, The Trustees submitted a Notice of Intent and requested a Waiver Request of the Watershed Protection District Special Permit for restoration activities on 47 acres of barrens habitat, The Trustees are submitting this application to the North Andover Planning and Conservation Departments to request a full Watershed Protection District Special Permit and to amend an Order of Conditions (DEP #242-1779) originally fried for restoration activities, to permit the following: • An additional 13 acres of canopy thinning that will expand the restored barrens footprint fiom 47 to 60 acres. • An Operations and Maintenance Plan(Appendix A) for routine habitat management activities needed to improve and maintain all 80 acres of barrens habitat. This will include light canopy thinning and heavy mowing within the 60 acres of restored barrens, and prescribed fire and invasive species control on all 80 acres of fire influenced barrens. Background Since 2006, The Trustees has focused its restoration efforts on the core of the fire-influenced habitat to increase habitat viability by reducing fragmentation and creating deliberate burn units that integrate into the trail system to reduce burn unit complexity and reduce wildfire risk. Of the 80 acres of fire influenced landscape, The Trustees have restored 47 acres (Figure 1). The additional work funded by the CCRGO grant will restore an additional 13 acres creating 60 acres of high-quality barrens habitat that can be sustainably managed. The remaining 20 acres of barrens are either too close to lake Coehichewick or on slopes too steep to sustainably maintain mechanically but will remain in burn plans and managed with controlled fire as resources allow in the future. The current Order of Conditions and Waiver of Watershed Protection District Special Permit permitted canopy thinning work and routine maintenance(heavy mowing, prescribed fire, invasive species control) within regulated buffer zones in the 47-acre restoration footprint but did not permit the 13-acre expansion covered by this new grant and routine management within the additional acres. Furthermore, The Trustees only applied for a Waiver of the Watershed Special Permit that expired February 4"'of 2022. Thus, The Trustees are applying for a full Watershed Protection District Special Permit and filing for an amendment of Order of Conditions (DEP #242-1779) to permit what will likely be the final barrens restoration footprint. The Trustees will also be submitting a Forest Cutting Plan with the Department of Conservation and Recreation because the canopy thinning exceeded the cord wood threshold of the MA Forest Cutting Practices Act. Tigure 1. 80 Acres of Fire Influenced Landscape, 47 Acres of Restored Habitat, 60 Acre Target Restoration Foot rint I � i Importance of Barrens Habitat at Weir Hill Reservation 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 Cochichewiek---and a 6,000-year legacy of human influence including a well-defined fire history that has resulted in 80 acres of oak and hickory barrens. Since 2006,The Trustees has been committed to a long-term landscape-scale barrens habitat restoration of the 80-acres. Through canopy thinning,routine mowing, and prescribed fire The Trustees has improved upon and maintained this extraordinary habitat to create one of northeastern Massachusetts' better examples of a fire-influenced barrens landscape. Given Weir Hill's long association with fire and substantial habitat restoration starting in 2006, the resulting natural community provides habitat for a number of species that are fire and early successional obligates, including the state-listed, and candidate for federal listing fiosted elfin butterfly (Calloplitys iris) and habitat for a variety of Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN) identified in the Massachusetts Wildlife Action Plan(MASWAP), In addition to SGCN, this project will benefit other species identified in conservation plans (Partners in Flight(PIF) and MA Watch Listed Species) that rely on open habitat, including, violet bush-clover, orange milkweed, whorled milkwort, and gray catbird (Bird Conservation Region 30) or species that are uncommon to northeastern Massachusetts like bird's foot violet(Viola pedata), and likely the largest concentration of scrub oak (Quercus ilicifolia and Q.prinoides) in Essex County. List of Massachusetts Wildlife Action Plan Species of Greatest Conservation Need • Frosted Elfin, Callophrys irus (State Special Concern): breeding • Northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus (State Threatened,PIF-VI): potential resting/feeding habitat during migration. • Chimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica (SWAP): potential breeding in large fire-scarred trees and commonly observed feeding • American Kestrel,Falco tinnunculus (SWAP*): potential breeding/ feeding habitat • Prairie Warbler,Dendroica discolor(SWAP): breeding habitat • Eastern Towhee,Pipilo eiythrophthalnzus (SWAP): breeding habitat • American Woodcock,Scolopax minor(SWAP): breeding habitat • Field Sparrow, Spizella pusilla (SWAP): breeding habitat • Brown Thrasher, Toxostoma ri f um (SWAP): breeding habitat • Blue-winged warbler, Vermivora pines (SWAP): breeding habitat • Whip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferous (State Special Concern): breeding habitat • Scrub Euchlaena,Euchlaena madusaria (State Special Concern): breeding • Yellow Bumble, Bee Bombus fervidus (SWAP) • Purple Needle-grass,Aristida putpurascens (State Threatened): extant population located in proximity to an area where canopy thinning would occur. Canopy thinning will create habitat for population expansion. • Lion's Foot,Nabalus setpentarius (State Endangered): extant (recently discovered at Weir Hill in 2020) Restoration History and Scope All prior restoration efforts, beginning in 2006, including canopy thinning,heavy mowing, prescribed fire, and invasive species control were approved by the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation Service Forestry Program (DCR), and the North Andover Conservation and Planning Departments, Beginning in 2001, The Trustees made a concerted effort to understand and detail the ecology of Weir Hill, This effort began after ecologists recognized the unique barrens habitat signature and restoration potential the landscape held. Since then, 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, Restoration efforts began with canopy thinning which provides the structure required for early successional habitat and releases understory vegetation to 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. Following the initial canopy thinning, heavy mowing and prescribed fine are used to maintain habitat in an early successional state and improve upon biodiversity. Due to the complexity to implement prescribed fire The Trustees have become increasingly more reliant on mowing to maintain the habitat. However, while mowing can achieve many of the same outcomes as fire, fire is still needed to prevent the buildup of organic material that suppresses plant diversity (especially rare species) and allows fuel loads to increase, • Mechanical canopy thinning first occurred in 2006, and was repeated in 2014, and 2020. • In 2017, a prescribed fire top killed sub canopy trees which mimicked the more natural canopy thinning occurring throughout Weir Hills long fire history(Figure 2). • Prescribed fire occurred four times since 2008, burning roughly 5-15 acres per burn. • Roughly 5-20 acres of heavy mowing has occurred on an annual basis. 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. This work will also reduce the future threat from catastrophic wildfire by reducing fire severity that may increase because of climate change 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. F! ur 2. H!&or and Scope A Restoration Efforts at Weir Hill . � \« : , � \\c: / . : � ? : � z . • � } � NO' � y . [ � . Figure 2. History of Wildfire at Weir Hill Fire Response Frequency at Weir Hill 1963-1983 fi 5 N O 4 R. v— 3 O L .Q 2 E Z a 1963 495; 1965 196e 1987 lose 190 folio 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 4976 4977 1078 On 1280 1981 1992 1983 Year Figure 1 —Fire Response Frequency: The graph above illustrntes the 1111luber of tunes per-yens that the North Andover Fire Department responded to fire events at Weir Hill between 1963-1983. During this period, the North Andove2•Fire Departmeiat respollcled to nn average of 2 fire events veer. Major Fires Frequency at Weir Hill (1970-2007) 8 0 75 70 60 60 50 so r, t0 40 in 31 30 jL 20 10 10 0 NOS ,�o,�� ,�,�A`' �o� �0^9 h�o'' ^oo'� 400� NICb-OA N000 moo N°jo� Year Figm-e 2: Fregttency of major fire events behveeit 1970-2007. Photo 1. Example of Desired Habitat Conditions at Weir Hill a n� New Restoration Work (Funded by 2021 CCRGO Grant) Additional restoration work funded by the most recent grant awarded in 2021 will convert 13 acres of dense oak-hickory forest to early successional barrens habitat. This will expand the total restoration footprint from 47 to 60 acres. Of the new 13-acre expansion, where canopy thinning will occur, 3.54 acres will fall within the Watershed Protection District and/or Wetland Buffer Zones. On these 13 acres we plan to thin the tree canopy from roughly 80% cover to approximately 15% cover to promote understory shrub and herbaceous growth and improve habitat structure and growing conditions for host and nectar plants for target species (e,g.,Baptisia trattoria - the host plant for the frosted elfin). Trees to be left uncut will be prioritized based on the largest and healthiest. This treatment will improve habitat connectivity throughout the managed area. Most of the six treatment areas are adjacent to previously restored areas which will provide a good opportunity for seed from restored areas to spread and facilitate the restoration process. Trees removed in this process will not be killed and will be allowed to resprout the following growing season. Canopy thinning will be conducted using tracked forestry equipment; logs will be forwarded and transported off site; treetops and slash will be chipped in multiple locations outside of the restoration area and wetland/watershed buffer zones. Forestry equipment will use existing soil and hard pack roads as a primary means to access cutting areas and transport logs. Forestry equipment will cross an intermittent stream to access southern cutting areas. Approximately, 70 feet of wetland crossing mats will be deployed to reduce resource area impacts. Figure 3 CCRGO Grant Pro'ect Map and New Cano Thinning and Restoration Expansion 3 Q g„ „f Regulatory Compliance The restoration work that is subject to watershed and wetland regulations will consist of habitat management activities including canopy thinning, heavy mowing,prescribed fire, and selective invasive species control using herbicide. Roughly 19 acres of the total 60-acre restoration footprint will fall within the multiple wetland and watershed buffer zones. Approximately 16 acres fall within the Watershed Protection District buffer zones, which includes 2 acres of wetland buffer zones. An additional 3 acres fall within wetland buffers of an intermittent stream with an ephemeral pool, outside of the watershed buffer zones. Five acres fall within multiple buffer zones within the remaining 20 unrestored acres where prescribed Ere and invasive species control would be the only management activities occurring. Since starting this work in 2006, there has been no evidence that restoration/habitat management activities have resulted in . ill resource area impacts or significant erosion that has resulted in morphological land change or sedimentation in Lake Cochichewick that would negatively impact water quality. Rather, habitat management activities have improved the land's resilience to erosion and water filtration capabilities, through the conversion of closed canopy and sparse understory conditions to more robust vegetative cover across the landscape. Work Within Watershed Protection District Buffer Zones 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' Non-Disturbance and 325' Non-Discharge buffer zones. Additionally, a small shrub swainp wetland resource area falls within the Watershed Protection District that creates additional watershed buffer zones including the 100ft Non- Disturbance and 325ft Non-discharge around the swamp. The Trustees are seeking approval for a Watershed Protection District Special Permit, for the additional 13 acres of canopy thinning, of which 3 acres fall within the Watershed Protection District Buffer Zones. 1n addition to, a total of 16 acres of ongoing habitat management activities that fall within the watershed buffer zones within the 60-acre restoration footprint. Three acres fall within the unrestored 20 acres where only prescribed fire or selective invasive plant control would occur. This ongoing maintenance will include selective/light canopy thinning, heavy mowing, prescribed fire, and the limited use of herbicide for invasive species management. See Operations and Maintenance Plan(Appendix A) for more detail. . • f f / / l i �f - a a t .ihiry a"�irrt - 7k� ' g eso a •. a "fir 't e iY 2 S f J� 1 z m. c 15 a m g a $7ge, r Sjc S w' qs ` a - 2 - "NNW la S� �� r E,y � yr `q✓i 1 hANon-Disturbance � � �� w q< bt $� Y N �? ' w ♦ S t r r r R �� ^ r r � i 'irk: e „$,` � '�,� � •r �� yf, .�'� E S-x Ili i Work Within Wetland Buffer Zones A portion of the proposed restoration work is subject to the Wetlands Protection Act (WPA) and Town of North Andover wetland by laws. Wetland resource areas consist of Lake Cochichewick, j a small shrub swamp, and an intermittent stream with an ephemeral pool located at its northern delineation(See figure 5). All work except for prescribe fire and invasive species control will be conducted within buffer zones and not within the resource area.No canopy thinning or heavy snowing will occur within the 25ft No-Disturbance Zone (NDZ). This work will only occur in the 50ft No-Build Zone(NBZ) and 100ft Wetland buffer Zones (WBZ). However, prescribed fire and limited invasive species control will occur in the 25ft NDZ. To implement prescribed fire The Trustees must follow a comprehensive burn plan approved by regulatory agents. Portions of existing trails that function as fire breaks to control fire fall in the 25ft NDZ, and some burn units fall within wetland resource areas (see figure 6). It would detract from the benefits of fire (i.e., fuel/vegetation management) to avoid these areas and increase the difficulty to manage fire. We would like the ability to implement invasive plant control within the resource areas and 25ft NDZ for the protection of both the wetland resource areas and to prevent the spread of invasive plants into the restoration area. Additionally, the primary access road for heavy forestay equipment crosses an intermittent stream identified in Figure 5, equipment must cross this stream to access restoration areas. This activity will be covered under the Forest Cutting Plan. The stream bed is approximately 4 feet wide; the banks are approximately flinches high and gradually slope to the stream center. The stream bed is primarily rocky with organic soils. Wetland approved crossing mats will be deployed to prevent impacts to the intermittent stream bed and buffer zone. Approximately 70ft of wetland crossing mats will be deployed for canopy thinning activities. Mats will be deployed on the stream bed and on either side of the stream. Equipment from previous thinning projects have crossed this stream, which has resulted in little to no impacts to the resource(see Appendix E for photos of former crossing). This crossing will not be needed for heavy mowing using tractors or skid steers, prescribed fire and invasive species control. Unlike heavy forestry equipment, equipment needed to conduct most routine management activities can access the property via Stevens Street or Pleasant Street and can by-pass the stream crossing. An ephemeral pool is located at the northern end of the intermittent stream as delineated in Figure 4. Canopy thinning and heavy mowing will remain outside of the 50ft Non-Disturbance Zone, in accordance with ephemeral pool buffer zones identified in the North Andover wetland regulations. In total, approximately 5 acres of the total 60-acre restoration area fall within a wetland buffer zone that will be subject to habitat management activities. Five acres also fall within the 20 unrestored acres where only prescribed fire and invasive species control will be implemented. Figure 4.MaL of Work Within Wetland Buffer Zones �..V � is S^�✓^'�-:^n � .y arb -$ ,s. @ r� � F e 25ft No-Disturbance 50ft No-Build 900ft Wetland 50ft Na-Build 100ft Wetland 25ft No-Disturbance III ' 50ft No-Build I00ft Wetland tf ` � 1 a e ".t A�h f 1 V � .. On 400 i MEN a Ilk my r " . 7 � a mw r/ w ,av � e gal , Irk � r Written Documentation Per General Requirements for Obtaining a Watershed Special Permit • Encouraging the most appropriate use of land; o Project utilizes natural land to enhance its' ecological value(i.e. biodiversity, rare species protection) See project description for more detail. • Preventing overcrowding of land o Not Applicable, there will be no construction activities as part of this project. Land will remain as forested conservation land. Habitat restoration activities are not expected or are being proposed to increase visitation to Weir Hill. • Conserving the value of land and buildings o Not Applicable • Lessening congestion of traffic; o Not Applicable • Preventing undue concentration of population o Not Applicable • Providing adequate light and air o Not Applicable • Reducing the hazards from fire and other danger o Weir Hill is a fire prone site that will burn again in the future. Implementing, canopy thinning,heavy mowing and prescribed fire helps to manage fuel loads and reduces the risk of catastrophic fire. It also serves as a training opportunity for both the local fire department and the MA Bureau of Fire Control and Forestry, to provide better control if wildfire were to occur at Weir Hill. o During canopy thinning and other habitat management activities that would pose a risk to the public,The Trustees will close portions of the property to prevent pedestrian traffic within proximity to habitat management activities. Closures will be implemented by either staffing, signage, and/or other modes of public messaging to indicate where and when portions of the property are closed. • Assisting in the economical provision of transportation,water, sewerage, schools, parks, and other public facilities; o This project will enhance the conservation value of Weir Hill for those who enjoy viewing wildlife. • Controlling the use of bodies of water, including watercourses; o An existing trail has been maintained that runs along the edge of Lake Cochichewick. No cutting will occur south of this trail or in the 25ft NDZ, leaving a dense canopy and vegetated edge along the lake and the trail. The Trustees have been committed to the protection of this lake edge and in recent years we have installed and maintain split rail fencing, terraced steps, and revegetated areas to reduce erosion impacts to the lake edge and encourage visitors to remain on trail and prevent erosion cause by human and pet traffic. o The Trustees are currently working with the Town of North Andover to limit off trail use and waterfront foot traffic to reduce potentially harmful impacts to Lake Cochichewick. i • Reducing the probability of losses resulting from floods; and o Proposed activities fall outside of FEMA National Flood Hazard areas. Habitat restoration will increase vegetative cover that will help reduce the risk of erosion. • Reserving and increasing the amenities of the Town; o This project will enhance the conservation value and biodiversity on natural land in the Town of North Andover. Specific Requirements to be met for Obtaining a Watershed Special Permit • Written certification by a Registered Professional Engineer, or other scientist educated in and possessing extensive experience in the science of hydrology and hydrogeology, stating that there will not be any significant degradation of the quality or quantity of water in or entering Lake Cochichewick. o See Appendix C. letter from Titre Simmons s Proof that there is no reasonable alternative location outside the Non-Disturbance and/or Non-Discharge Buffer Zones, whichever is applicable, for any discharge, structure, or activity, associated with the proposed use to occur. (1994/38) o The natural landscape of Weir Hill, and historic influences on the land, has defined the 80 acres of fire influenced barrens habitat at Weir Hill. This habitat footprint has influenced where restoration activities have taken place since 2006 and where the proposed expansion has been identified. There are no reasonable alternatives to conduct work identified in the project description and Operations and Maintenance Plan outside the Non-Disturbance and/or Non-Discharge Buffer Zones, Additional land within the 80 acres of fire influenced habitat is either too steep to maintain, falls too close to Lake Cochichewick, or does not exhibit the necessary characteristics to support conservation goals. Furthermore, if management activities within the previously permitted 47-acre restoration area do not occur it will lose its conservation value and its ability to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfire. o There are few options in northeastern Massachusetts where this type of habitat can be restored. • Evidence of approval by the Mass. Dept. of Environmental Protection (DEP) of any industrial wastewater treatment or disposal system or any wastewater treatment of system fifteen thousand (15,000) gallons per day capacity. o Not Applicable • Evidence that all on-site operations including,but not limited to, construction, waste water disposal, fertilizer applications and septic systems will not create concentrations of Nitrogen in groundwater, greater than the Federal limit at the down gradient property boundary. o The Trustees follow best practices identified in Massachusetts Forestry Best Management Practices Manual. These best practices involve leaving filter strips (vegetated areas between cutting activities and waterbodies) that will filter groundwater nutrients. Restoration activities are intended to increase vegetative cover which will help improved the sites' ability to filter nutrients from groundwater, limit surface flow, and reduce the risk of erosion. Furthermore, trees removed during canopy thinning will not be killed in the process and will be allowed to resprout the following growing season. This will preserve their ability to filter nitrogen. The Trustees will not be constructing structures, septic tanks, disposing of wastewater, or applying fertilizer. Plan Submitted By: The Trustees of Reservation 290 Argilla Road Ipswich, MA 01938 Jeffrey Denoncour(Coastal Ecologist) derrot��our��thetr-��stees.oa° 978-870-1280 i r Important Prescribed Fire Facts and ry �7 Background information For more info:htt www,thetrustees.or rescrlbedb rns,cfm 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 Will 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 Nita • 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. oloel Carlson of Northeast Forest and Fire Management, LLChas 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 oAt Weir Hill, several natural firebreaks 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 drumlins 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 30-60 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 tan ier b,000 acres across the state—from working farms,landscaped and urban gardens,and community parks,to barr 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 orted b enerous donors,partners,and volunteers,The Trustees invites all to nearly 125,000 members and supp Y man Y g get out,get inspired,and find magic in the moment through a Trustees program or property: www,thetr�istees.org, 3 1 i Fire's Lon History and Influence at Weir Hill —from the Weir Hill Management Plan, 2006. The Trustees of Reservation, Section 4; leg 5-8 fire-Inflrrerrcecl Community: The 80-acre fire influenced convnunity 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 fire 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 s 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 21-100 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" l; Weir Hill - Vegetation a 3 r. �..m. .[r W . f !r s Vegetation Communities r F Mixed Deciduous rM Oak/Hickory Oak/Hickory with Maple White Pine Red Maple Swamp Intermittent Stream or Forested Seep Communities Upland Field Wet Meadow /\/Trails 0 soo 1,000 Feet Early Successional Il i' Limit of Fire Influenced Communities Wgelafon class"based oil Rerurtby F.Clark,2001 Updated by7rustees'slait 6lapproducedkla+ch2706. 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 ericaceous 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. Fire 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 shrubs 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 fire disturbance becomes dependent on fire to create and maintain the requisite germination and growing conditions. Many of these species exhibit specific adaptation to fire 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 flee 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 nuns,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 Iikely 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 corrmionly 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 I0-acre fire in May 1973, a 20-acre fire in May 1980, a 13-acre fire 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 Appendix A. Routine Management (Operations and Maintenance Plan) and Resource Area 11np3ct Mitigation As described in the project description, following the initial restoration phase of canopy thinning, i l to improving and maintaining the barrens habitat. Routine routine maintenance will be critica management activities in buffer zones will consist of light canopy thinning and heavy mowing (brush hogging) in the 60 acres of restored habitat and prescribed fire and invasive species control within the entire 80 acres of fire influenced barrens habitat. • Since The Trustees began restoration efforts in 2006 there has been no erosion or wetland resource area impacts because of restoration efforts. • The Trustees have a regular presence at Weir Hill, especially during tunes when active management is occurring and will monitor for erosion and resource area impacts. If erosion or resource area impacts are discovered that are a direct result of habitat management activities, The Trustees will notify the Planning Department and Conservation Commission in writing and repair damage. • The Trustees will maintain water bars on trails to prevent trail erosion. • An existing trail has been maintained that runs along the edge of Lake Cochichewick. No cutting will occur south of this trail or in the 25ft NDZ, leaving a dense canopy and vegetated edge along the lake and the trail. The Trustees have been committed to the protection of this lake edge and in recent years we have installed and maintain split rail fencing, terraced steps, and revegetated areas to reduce erosion impacts to the lake edge and encourage visitors to remain on trail and prevent erosion cause by human and pet traffic. Light Canopy Thinning Following the initial canopy thinning to bring the canopy from roughly 80% cover to approximately 15% cover, additional thinning may be needed in the fixture. The need for additional thinning is a result of increased growth of remaining trees in response to added light. Selective removal or pruning of a few canopy trees may be needed to maintain a roughly 15-25% canopy cover, recommended for barrens habitat and associated wildlife. Future canopy thinning will be conducted using hand tools or tracked forestry equipment; Material will be either forwarded off site or dragged or chipped into multiple locations outside of the restoration area and wetland/watershed buffer zones. Forestry equipment will use existing soil and hard pack roads as a primary means st earn andtting areas approximat d 70 feetrt logs off of wetland site. Forestry equipment will cross an intermittent crossing mats will be deployed to reduce resource area impacts. • No canopy thinning will occur within the 25ft No-Disturbance zone from any identified wetland resource area including 25ft within the Watershed Protection District buffer zones. • Canopy Thinning will follow best practices identified in the Forest Cutting Practices Act. 1. • Fueling of equipment will occur outside all Wetland and Watershed Protection District buffer zones • Rutting or mounding caused by forestry equipment greater than 3"deep/high will be repaired to prevent water channeling. • Trees removed during canopy thinning will not be killed and allowed to resprout which will maintain root systems to help prevent erosion and water filtration. • Trees to be left uncut will be prioritized based on the largest and healthiest. • In order to prevent the spread of invasive species, all equipment entering the work site must be thoroughly cleaned of any soil or plant material. Heavy Mowing Heavy mowing is a critical tool for maintaining barrens habitat structure and to promote understory shrub and herbaceous growth to improve growing conditions for host and nectar plants for target species (e.g.,Baptisia tinctoria - the host plant for the frosted elfin). Without routine mowing the habitat will succeed into mature forest. • Heavy mowing will be conducted using forestry mowing decks attached to skid steers, tractors, or other tracked forestry mowers. • To promote biodiversity and the structure needed to support dependent wildlife it's important that not all the restoration area gets mowed annually. Mowing will follow a timeline where roughly 1/3 (20 acres) of the 60-acre restoration area gets mowed on an annual basis. This timeline would allow 3 seasons of re-growth between titres of mowing. Mowing frequency may need to be adjusted in response to vegetation composition, for instance, mowing frequency may need to be increased if tree saplings are out competing shrubs and herbaceous plants, or, mowing frequency may be delayed to allow greater plant establishment in newly restored habitat. • Mowed vegetation is allowed to resprout the following growing season and species that were once outcompeted by shade will increase growth in response to added light. This will maintain root systems and increase vegetative cover to help prevent erosion and water filtration • No mowing will occur within the 25ft No-Disturbance zone of any wetland resource area which will include 25ft within the Watershed Protection District buffer zones. • Whenever possible mowing will occur during periods when conditions are dry, or when the ground is frozen. • Fueling of equipment will occur outside all Wetland and Watershed Protection District buffer zones. • Rutting or mounding caused by mowing equipment greater than 3"deep/high will be repaired to prevent water channeling. • In order to prevent the spread of invasive species, all equipment entering the work site must be thoroughly cleaned of any soil or plant material. Prescribed fire Prescribed fire is an important tool for managing fuel loads, habitat structure, species composition and most importantly burning off the duff layer to allow seeds of target plant species to germinate in mineral soils. Weir Hill is a fire prone site that will burn again in the future and implementing prescribed fire helps to manage fuel loads and reduces the risk of catastrophic fire. it also serves as a training opportunity for both the local fire department and the MA Bureau of Fire Control and Forestry, to provide better control if wildfire were to occur at Weir Hill, Throughout the long history of fire at Weir Hill there has been no evidence of ash entering the watershed via run off. Prescribed fire must strictly follow a comprehensive burn plan developed for Weir Hill that was approved by regulatory agents. The burn plan for Weir Hill has been included in this application. Please see burn plan for details. • Fire will be implemented at a frequency of 5-10 years per burn unit. All units are never burned at once and fires generally range from 5-15 acres in size. • Burn plans, which follow standards developed by the National Wildfire Coordinating Group and approved by regulatory agencies, are updated every 5 years. • The North Andover Fire Department must be notified and approve any prescribed fire. • The MA Bureau of Fire Control and Forestry participates in prescribed fire at Weir Hill • Air quality permits must be secured through the Department of Environmental Protection Figure 6. Map of Burn Units i The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation N F Prescribed Burn Plan Firebreak and Unit Map 2 6Aa. 3A 7' 11 An. 7A AAa. 5`( 2Ao. 38 BAa. 70 6 iB A a. dA 3 Ao. BB 4A 1 yAa. d8 1 Ao. 6 BAo. Legend 0 OA25 0.25 0.5 Miles Trustees Property Boundary Firebreak Type and Access Burn Units Stone Walls Water Sources hie° <,,o ose TurnArounds o�' tad' �' J• .�Q ? Staging Areas " ortl,easl lblYa ha�.ui i>!cy;ar ho-niry de3=ilo¢Fv k�ni:. RuLeal��,}��''� u.e,wy,„•w: P JWPa,k w�cca.Tla ir.+sms.kC ffU,Rr,�I.if 3,C571,IUlur.� a• Tgn-aaNic;lypl:.CS'ir USA Invasive Species Manageinent of invasive species is minimal throughout the restoration area and 80 acres of fire The presence influenced barrens at Weir Hill. However, species including glossy buckthorn,bush honeysuckle, oriental bittersweet, multiflora rose, garlic mustard, and Japanese knotweed are scattered throughout the restoration area in low numbers and are found within wetland resource areas. As capacity allows The Trustees will treat invasives using selective(foliar and cut and paint)herbicide treatment methods. Treatment will be conducted by Massachusetts-licensed pesticide applicators deploying small amounts of herbicide with backpack sprayers or sponge- based application wands (®Buckthorn Blasters) • The Trustees will implement best practices (i.e., applying in appropriate weather) while implementing herbicide treatments to avoid excess herbicide use, non-target impacts and accidental spillage. • Foliar applications will be made using backpack or hand sprayers. Cut stem(cut and paint) application will be implemented by cutting plants with hand tools and applying small amounts of herbicide to cut stumps. • Basal bark treatments will be made in winter months using products made for this type of treatment like© Pathfinder 11, a triclopyr based product. Product will be applied with handheld sprayers, or sponges and applied to the bark of invasive plants. Typical herbicides will consist of non-restricted products, containing herbicides like glyphosate and triclopyr. hly selective and reduce the amount of herbicide Cut stern and basal bark methods are hig used. + In order to prevent the spread of invasive species, all equipment entering the work site must be thoroughly cleaned of any soil or plant material. • Mixing of herbicide will occur outside of all wetland and watershed buffer zones. r TIAe Trustees of Reservations: Weir Hill Barrens Habitat Martagerrrerrt (13-acre restoration exparrsiorr before photos and examples of habitat nranagerrrerrt) Weir Hill Barrens Habitat Management Photo Map (Canopy Thinning Areas (1-6) 2022: 13 Acre Canopy Thinning Habitat Ex ansion Areas a 3 5 4 M qq}t,�_ J yT6, `� 4 ss pi1,4 W, r' I 7 5 ,�� J',"��"y q'�?'z R ( Lsl.y 5F �,�ye`� a±4r�'x�r• s - 5 x w°_ •n - y R� 'F�Y� t n �. ly �`a�r"E1,jf C .1'�'s� s, a no nv JS ..;�::, y t' �''�iwl4,✓,f;{r �yxh 1 �,� J~41 -r f r,'° - ze XWO ��#�k exa.>r � `r�u �� ' *�� t"�}'rr�flE�t a ` ��-1 h}•x Ck F 'C 4•�''y"r>:"4 ` 6,.r V - e :x'1«",',� k A- r,j �1k < T • epTr ai /✓ ^.r„�"�� „�' fi 'vi i �''�' .�'y�' �•t`� ntr s Px e C 1 � e c "T F.-i 4 4 JX +,find` rF I t E �C Y' mk r35 I J �Ib{tl 'd6 � k �( zy ; r 1y4s 15�3t C }F$;I 11 ii 1 17F3t1 s}: h s'1,p 177 �� _ A�J O I� 3 I� i- F}I ( ITiS;'� f -1� Y 1 � x � °�', -: I A'.+], il�kJ,M,'� s�� '�tCf.%`g '1 •''�� it 41 r �i� , `�...✓ y� 47i },! •!Iz S> t{4a7.1�t f� � 1 , I I(b� e -J e ,�r j' f7 '� . 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To:North Andover Conservation and Planning Departments Subject:TTOR's Weir Hill Habitat Management and Water Supply From,Tim Simmons,Simmons Stewardship and Conservation Ecology Date: 21 January 2020 Dear Commissioners; Staff at TTOR asked me to supply comments to your Departments concerning potential impacts fi-om their proposed habitat management activities to North Andover's water supply and Lake Cochicliewick. Prior to partial retirement in 2016 I 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 Fife 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. The potential sources of impacts to water quality are mechanical mowing and logging activities, prescribed free operations and fire management.I am assured that all best management policies for Forest Cutting Practices are followed by TTOR and their contractors so will focus on fire operations and fire effects in this letter. The greatest threat to water quality 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. Wit diand 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 carefitlly.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 from acceptable conditions in the fire 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 previotts leaf fail that is partially decayed. A recent review,Hahn et at,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 quality.For further exploration of these findings and their implications at Weir Hill I 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.Nat.Areas Jour.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.P.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. 1 Mail-Jeff Denoncour-outlook 1/23/2020 «j Reply all '1/ m Delete Junk Block ... Weir Hill Habitat Maanagement © Getting too much email?Unsubscribe Tim Simmons <tsesimmons@comcast.net> <� «j 1. Wed 1/22/2020 8:26 AM i Jeff Denoncour Hahn et a) NAJ 2019 Fire and ... 939 KB ...... ....... . 2 attachments(3 M8) Download all Save all to OneDrive-TTOR E I Jeff, Attached are a letter and an article in response to your request for a description of potential impacts of manageme nt to North Andover's water supply. The habi tats is at Weir Hill are of regional significance due to their rarity and ability to know if l can provide further clarification or support imperiled species. Please let me detail. Tim Simmons Simmons Stewardship and Conservation Ecology 111 hops:florsilook,office.com/maiVdeepllnk?version=2020011305.14&popoutv2=1 TOWN 01§: OR`l"1.:1 AND0VER Fain 1.)elzrrh� tt Cc;ntr-til l�=ir-e F�l.e<rdcl��ar-turs 124 MAIN S`FIUIT''"I` N0101I �'�NDO�'F l�, MASSA( IllSF`I"1'S 01945 William 11, Nlartineatl 1 elepholle(9 78) 688-9593 1 .`. FAX (978) 688-9594 C:, Scott Nussbaum Deplfty Chh.j 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, 1 will personally monitor the activities and report to you as the prescribed burns proceed, 2 tkOR H O I14EU !6 'YO a n 0 CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT Community Development Division MEMORANDUM DATE: February 12, 2009 TO: Mark Rees,Town Manager FROM: Jennifer Hughes,Conservation Administrator SUBJECT: Fire Management at Weil'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 habitats burning can reduce by many spread of non-native and invasive species and maintain the at 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 Phone 97&688.9530 tax 978.688.9542 Web www,towoofnorthandover.tom DIVISION OF �... .._. . FISHERIES & WILDLIFE s � 1 Rabbit Hill Road,Westborough,MA 01581 p:(508)389-6300)(:(508)389-7890 rs i • '` MASS.G0V/MASSWILDLIFE s�xar i, i MASSWILDLIFE December 30,2021 Jeffrey Denoncour The Trustees of Reservations 200 High Street 0 Floor Boston MA 02110 RE: Project Location: Weir Hill Reservation,Andover Project Description: Restore 13 acres of pitch pine barrens 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: 1. In coordination with NHESP Botanical staff and Review Biologist,the Applicant shall avoid impacts to rare plants on-site during all habitat management work. 2. Any timber harvesting that triggers the filing of a Forest Cutting Plan with DCR shall also be submitted to the Division for review. Therefore,the proposed activities are exempt from MESA review pursuant to 321 CMR 10.14 which states: "[tjhe 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.This approvalvalid for five (5)years from the date of issuance. If you have any questions about this letter, please contact Emily Holt, Endangered Species Review Assistant at 508-389-6385 or Emil ,Holt @ mass. ov. MASSWILDLIFE Sincerely, /MaC 16&—V�1-7 Everose SchfUter, Ph.D. Assistant Director MASSWILDLIFE KO 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.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,bioane.or /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:Ilbioone.orgrournals/Natural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of use:hups:11bioone.orglterms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Assoclarson RESEARCH A R T I C I 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 Preseri bed is a paucity of knowledge on prescribed fire's impacts on water quality.This article summarizes and bed consolidates known impacts of prescribed fire on chemical,physical,and biological properties related to water quality and freshwater ecosystems in nraist-temperate eastern North America,including impacts Fire Ef f ec.B on'. on drinking water treatability.Based upon this synthesis,it appears that most prescribed fires in eastern I forests are low intensity and low severity and cause minimal changes to forest soil properties,leading Water. Q u alty to minimal adverse impacts that might exacerbate soil erosion and adversely affect surface waters. In 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 tie and Fresh Wal,er effects of prescribed fire on water quality it)the eastern forest region,particularly for fires of mixed or moderate severity and fires occurring in complex terrain. Ecosystems in Moist Index terms;fire intensity,fire severity,fuel consumption,mesophication,water treatment water yield Temperate Eastern. NorthA INTRODUCTION Harriman 2016). merica 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- George E. Hahn7 (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 'Department of Forest Resources and services these forests provide Environmental'Conservation P (Brooks et al. commonly need feasible fuel reduction 2013).Nearly two-thirds of municipalities strategies. In some situations, prescribed Virginia State nine Institute and in the United States and approximately one- fire is a viable tool for reducing hazardous State UnivA 24Ity 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 unde- Globally, natural filtration services have sired species competition,combat invasive T. Adam Coates1,4 been estimated to save approximately 4.1 species, enhance specific environmental Roger Earl Latham trillion dollars annually in water treatment attributes, and prepare a stand for future Named Ma jidzadeh3 costs (Bladon et al. 2014). Increasingly, forest management (Breeder 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 im- 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 s 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 I; CIemson Univer;sity. 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 • 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 awhor: : sheds due to the widespread consumption and impact. Despite the common and acoates4@vt.edu:(540)231 5676 of soil organic matter(Neary et al, 2009; widespread implementation of prescribed Pereira et aI, 2012; Bladon et al. 2014; fire as a land management tool in the Bixby et al.2015),which exposes mineral eastern United States, Iittle research has Guest editor:Roger Lathan 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 Nnrural Areas Jounial 39.46-57 cause stem mortality, destabilize roots and freshwater ecosystems(Lafayette et al. (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 ofprescribed 46 Natural Areas Journal Volume 39(•!),2019 Downloaded From:htips:/Ibioone.orgfjournalslNataral-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar2019 'terms of Use:httpsxbioone.org/iernis-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association organic matter. Total area burned in wildfires Fire severity refers to the ecosystem effects 3,000,000 of fire, for example the degree to which forest soil organic resources are consumed s 2,500,000 and vegetation is killed in a given fire event (Whelan 1997;Keeley 2009).Fire severity 2,000,000 is the result of the interaction between fire intensity and the burned environment. 1,500,000 When intact and decomposed plant litter in the soil (known variously as soil organic 1,000,000 horizons, duff, and litter) is fully con- sumed, mineral soil is exposed to heating ~ 500,000 and subsequent precipitation(Callallam et a al. 2012). Following high-severity fires, 0 crusting of mineral soil can occur as the �o �o ,yo �O �o �O �O ryo �° Flo �o �O �O �o ryo �O result of heating; this condition is known as hydrophobicity (Brooks et al. 2013), Hydrophobic soils reduce infiltration and Total area burned in prescribed fires 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 2,O0O,00O Mountain West erosion due to reduced canopy interception E and reduced litter production. High Eire 0 s0 severity typically results in either imme- 1,500,000 diate or delayed plant mortality (Goforth 1,000,000 and Minnich 2008). Large quantities of (0 soil may be dislodged and displaced as a result of root death, further exacerbating 500,000 soil erosion(Fairchilds and Trettin 2006). 0 Eroded soil materials may be trapped on '� ti`L +�"� ►�b` tih �� '`� site,but removal of sail organic layers fa- rp ryo 1po ,yo ,tio cpo 10 To ryo T �o �o rp To �o �O vors their transport to streams.Deposition of eroded material in streams, known as Figure 1.Trends in area burned in wildfires find 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'I'emperate to a Variety of mineralization outcomes Forests,Northern Forests,and Tropical AVet Forests(AL,AR,CT,DE,FL,GA,KY,LA,MA,MD,ME, affecting overall water quality,treatability, 11I,NIN,MO,MS,NC,NH,NJ,NY,OH,PA,RI,SC,TN,VA,vr,wI,WV);Great Plains tare 7 states representing Level I ccoregion Great Plains(1A,KS,ND,NE,OK,SD,TX);Mountain West is 11 states and aquatic life(Van Lear and Danielovich representing Level I ecoregions Northwestern Forested Mountahls,Marine West Coast Forest,Medi- 1988; Minshall 2003; Grace et al. 2006; terranean California,Temperate Sierras,Southern Semi-arid Highlands,and North American Deserts Malison and Baxter 2010; Clapeott et al. (AZ,CA,CO,ID,MT,NM,NV,OR,UT,WA,WY), 2012), fire on water resources in the eastern United intensity and fu e 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 fails 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-toter- 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 ten center on the distinction between fare fire behavior, and moisture levels in soil matter, induce more vegetative mortality, Natural Areas Journal 47 Volume 39(1),2019 0o nlload i From llblsorle!orglterrna otrusls Naiaral AreasAJcCue3SaPYovided by Natural Areas Association have important water chemistry effects (Brooks et al. 2013). Changes in soil pH �y �a hy9 can directly affect the presence of biota fl�� (Agren et al.2010),soil chemical transfor- r,\ p.1 21S �� mations and losses,and the water solubility \� ,5 oy hs of chemicals and nutrients (Beyers et al. �p`� c0�• �� 2005). In a laboratory experiment, Battle ' and Golloday(2003)examined how burned Intensity longleaf pine(Pines palustris Mill.)litter, wiregrass (Aristida beyrichiana Trin. & /_ �k c�\ ,\� Rupr.), and soil organic matter (SOM) p�\ affected water chemistry in Georgia wet- ��'�q QfJ lands.The authors found that pH increased L S� 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 Figure 2.Simplified clTssiflcalion of fires by intensity and severity. organic carbon (DOC), soluble reactive phosphorus(SRP),and ammonium M4+). 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 call 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 (Perca that emphasizes safety of life and property, burns are often implemented following a flavescens Mitchill 1814 mercury thus they are most often low in intensityand )) y levels 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 fires are carefully planned to occur under a Minnesota watershed, mercury levels specific conditions of wind, temperature, Given This Context, What Do We also increased in an adjacent, unburned humidity, and ground moisture that min- Know about Prescribed Fire and watershed. The authors found no link Water Resources in the Eastern between low- and moderate-severity tyres imize the risk of escape. The likelihood and magnitude of water impacts are also United States? and mercury accumulation in the perch. assumed to be low for many prescribed fire scenarios in eastern forests because they Others have compiled and synthesized Increases in nutrient concentrations, such disproportionately occur on relatively flat evidence of the effects of fire on water as nitrogen and phosphorus, can lead to terrain, including the Atlantic and Gulf resources in the eastern United States, harmful algal blooms.These blooms may coastal plains and Midwestern tallgrass including Fulton and West (2002),Elliott adversely affect aquatic life through a prairies, where gentle topography favors and Vose (2006), and Lafayette et al. reduction of dissolved oxygen due to bacte- slower and lower-volume surface drainage (2012).We have summarized their findings rial decomposition of dead algae,which can into streams. in a model linking water impacts to fire behavior(Figure 3).Our review highlights cause fish die-offs, and through shading, The simplistic, four-cell scenario of fire more recent research not included in those which can reduce aquatic plant biomass and intensity and severity defined above limits syntheses, briefly summarized in Table 1. diversity(Anderson et al.2008;Brooks et 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 Downloaded From:htlps;/lbioone,orgriournalslNatural-Areas-Journal an 19 Mar 2019 Volume 39 (1),2019 Terms of use:hlfps:/lb@oone.oroorms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association I I DECREASED LOW AMOUNT HYDROPHILIC � OVERLAND OF DUFF LAYER SOILS FLOW OF SEDIMENT FIRE'S CONSUMED &NUTRIENTS EFFECT ON INCREASED SOILS E�=O"U'.-.� N HYDROPHOBIC ` OVERLAND L SOILS + _I1 FLOW OF SEDIMENT CONSUMED I &NUTRIENTS FIRE FIRE INTENSITY SEVERITY DECREASED a TOPKILL INTERCEPTION, STABLE SUB. NT FIRE'S SURFACE UPTAKE EFFECT ON DECREASED INCREASED VEGETATION TOpKILL& INTERCEPTION, OVERLAND ROOTKILL DECREASED SUB FLOW Of SEDIMENT SURFACE UPTAKE &NUTRIENTS i+igure 3.flow chnrt depicting fire's effect on water quality,based on Keeley(2009).Lrnch succeeding box is a function of the preceding box. food. Suspended sediment can increase effects(accelerated nutrient mineralization usage at water treatment facilities(IJmelko turbidity and thereby decrease the amount following a disturbance creating a pulse 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; Enielko 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 cleareut 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, iow-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- returned to baseline or control levels within low-severity site preparation burns were cades,whereas impacts from low-intensity 1-3 y post-fire(see also Wendel and Smith conducted in a mixed hardwood—pine forest prescribed fires are seldom pronounced or 1986; 5humway et al. 2001; Guyette and in upland South Carolina by Robichaud long-lasting. A watershed-scale study at and Waldrop (1444). Sediment yields S etich 2003;Smith and Sutherland 2006). the Santee Experimental Forest in South p were approximately 40 times greater in Carolina compared flow and nutrients at high-severity burn plots than in low-se- paired first-order watersheds (one burned Post-harvest, high-intensity, site prepara- Verity burn plots. and one control). Although prescribed lion bairns to reduce logging slash,reduce burning initially increased the water yield competing vegetation, and prepare the seedbed for regeneration (Waldrop and Water Treatability by 72%, outflow differences disappeared Goodrick 2012)have produced mixed re- after 2 y(Amatya et al.2007).Furthermore, stilts 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, can amplify and chemical composition of terrestrial tative regeneration also increased during the challenge of meeting rising demands dissolved organic matter (DOM; Wang for clean water by altering source water et al.2016;Tsai et al. 2017). DOM plays the following growing season. Emerging 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, Natural Areas Journal 49 Volume 39 (1),2019 Downloaded From,hilpsJlbloone.orgtjournaislNatural-Area lon11 Mar 2019 NaturatAreasAssociatlon Terms of Use:huosalbioone,orglterms-of-use Access provided m� 0 N 0 G7 O.0 0 N a Table 1.Summary oFprescnbed fire effects on chemical,physical,and biological properties in Freshwater ecosystems of moist-temperate North America.Effects on water treatability also include m n Z some results from wildfires in semiarid parts of the continent iz:a W y 8�= m Property Measured variables Fire type Study Result Citation 5. a duration Positive/Neaative/Neutral g Chemical Sediment yields, Law-intensity,low-severity 1 year Neutral and Negative Robichaud and Waldrop infiltration,runoff surface fire and high- High-intensity and-severity burns 1994 60 intensity,high-severity produced 40X more sediment yields w " surface fire (negative impact)than low-severity � burns{neutral impact). Sediment yields, Low-intensity,low-severity 36 years Neutral and Negative Kolka 20I2 infiltration,runoff prescribed fire and high- Insignificant impacts foiIowixlg low- intensity,high-severity severity,low-intensity fires.Negative ID C w� wildfire impacts following high-severity,high v intensity fires. a Sediment yields, Low-intensity,low-severity 1 a years Neutral sK infiltration,runoff prescribed fire Lafayette et al.2012 Insignificant,temporary increases in nutrients and sediments,which a returned to baseline levels within; years. r pH,alkalinity,dissolved Low-intensity,low-severity 1 year Neutral/Negative Battle and Golladay organic carbon(DOC), prescribed fire Burned soil:increased levels ofpK 2003 NHa+,soluble reactive alkalinity, DOC,NH4+,SRP. phosphorus(SRP), Burned pine needles and wiregrass: dissolved inorganic decreased levels ofDOC,DIC. carbon(DIC) Burned wiregrass:increased levels of NH4+,SRP. N114%NO3 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 bear and loads severity surface fire Sediment and nutrient loads not Danielovich 1988 o sgnificantly increased.Increased shrub vegetation following fire took co up nutrients onsite. Mercury(Hg)levels in Low-intensity,low-severity 100 years Neutral yellow perch(Perca surface fire and high- Hg levels huller in perch in water Riggs et al.2017 avescens} intensity,high-severity ty adjacent to burned and unburned � surface fire watersheds. 9 O �a ' N T°91 Ca ro u o T Table 1.(Cont'd) 03 gw Property Measured variables Fire type Study Result Citation m— duration Positive/Negative eutra og m Physical Evapotranspiration semi-annual burning before 80 years Positive Elliott et al.201 ° 0 1842 and light semi-annual Historical burning regime led to `n burning from 1842 to 1900 dominance by ring-porous species, which used less water and led to ro 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 drought) attributed to fire alone. v Water yield Multiple disturbances, 9 years Neutral Buena and Livneh,2017 g; including insect outbreaks; No distinction made between a:- high-intensity,high- disturbance type.Positive correlation t m severity wildfire;low- between water yield and vegetation N m intensity,low-severity percent cover. v prescribed fire;storm ro damage wAmat5 a et al.2007 o Water yield Low-intensity,low-severity 40 years Positive 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 oay;en_ 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 femorahs. intensity,high-severity genetic diversity and population sizes surface fire in ponds with high frequencies and intensities of burning_ ZSmall 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 E, macrophyte vegetation increased abundance of crayfish, > consumed small fish,and shrimp. eD Venne et al.2016 Relative Low-intensity,low-severity 2 months Positive 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-burn. w 1 especially coagulant dosing (Smith et al. 2011;Chow et al.2013;Majidzadeh et al. 2017).At water treatment facilities,DOM ,n reacts with chlorine or other oxidants form- N ing carcinogenic disinfection byproducts ,N (DBPs),such as chloroform(Sharifi et al. kn CD N V 2013;Writer et al.2014;Wang et al.2015). N DBP ingestion or inhalation can have neg- ative impacts on human health, including °J bladder cancer,rectal cancer, and adverse birth outcomes (Chow et al. 2009, 2011; Liu et al, 2012).The Environmental Pro- tection Agency(EPA)regulates maximum Al A. v contamination levels for two major classes A o q q 0 of DBPs: trihalomethanes (THMs: 80 µg C� 0 L) A ` '� L-r) and haloacetic acids (HAAs: 60 µg ,> L-r).Recent studies have documented that 4 o — °!1 0 0 �' �° unregulated nitrogenous (N-) DBPs, such a 0 � - .0 M as haloacetonitriles (HANs) and N-nitro- o w° Z sodimethylamine(NDMA),can have even * a ;� more genotoxic effects than regulated car- 0 <u r. .0 A y '� 0 W 0 bonaceous (C-)DBPs,THMs,and HAAs y '" `, ' ' `4 (Plewa et al. 2002;Zeng et al. 2016). Aw v) t° v) iti w 7 Q0 42 A severe wildfire can result in a significant A.. increase in DOM concentration,especially o -d 0 � r �, 1 0 during storm events, for years after the �. a � � disturbance(Emelko et al. 2011),Besides �~ DOM concentration, increases in DOM "a ti aromaticity (poiycondensed aromatic structures such as polycyclic aromatic N ,�, > hydrocarbons, indicated by specific UV 3 `f absorbance at 254 nm)and the abundance o 0 of hydrophobic compounds have also been observed after wildfire (Wang et al. „ 0 0 ^ 2015),Increases in DOM aromaticity can El increase DOM reactivity in the formation of .3 �, nitrogenous DBPs(Tsai et al.2015;Wang - 3 °a j et al.2015).Increases in DOM aromaticity after wildfire may be due to white ash for- U Z oration during intense wildfires(>510°C) awhereas black ash,typical of low-intensity 49 prescribed fires(200-500°C),can decrease o 0 0 0 DOM aromaticity (Wang et al. 2015). In contrast to wildfire, formation of white 9 w 9 w 42 40 ash in low-intensity(including prescribed) a ri o 0 0 El 0 fires is often very limited;thus,changes in DOM export and DBP formation can be minimal, Numerous laboratory and field studies have shown a significant reduction a of C-DBP formation potential following 0 0 0 prescribed fire (Tsai et aI. 2015, Wang 1 a 3 et at. 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 Downloaded From:https:llbtoone.orgrournals]Natural-Areas.Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:httpK#bloone.org/terms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association ther studies are necessary to quantify the macroinvertebrates, is the primary model need for fuel reduction, including the use to quantify biological diversity and formation of N-DBPs at field scales after used 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 United States were identified that directly as more people move into fire-prone areas. Physical Properties related prescribed fire to 113I, some stud- Nowacki and Abrams (2008) concluded ies have examined prescribed fire timing that up to a century of fire exclusion in parts Water yield and dissolved oxygen content and frequency effects on the presence of of the East has initiated a positive feedback are two commonly monitored physical particular biota.Venne et al. (20l 6)found cycle whereby microenvironmental con- components of freshwater streams(Brooks that prescribed fire treatments in the Flor- ditions have become cooler, damper, and et al.2013). Studies of prescribed fire ef- ida Everglades led to short-term increases more shaded and fuel beds less flammable. fects on water yield in the eastern United of periphyton, which in turn increased This process,referred to as mesophieation, States are limited. Elliott et al. (2017) fish populations. Hagerthey et al. (2014) improves conditions for shade-tolerant, explored 80 y of water flow and vegetation determined that prescribed fire and the mesophytic species and degrades them records at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory application of herbicides have the potential for shade-intolerant, fire-adapted species, and found that historically, due in part to to assist in eutrophic wetland rehabilitation, including oaks and pines. One line of ev- prescribed fire, ring-porous species (oaks Both studies attributed temporary changes idence for this process on the landscape is and hickories) were don>jnant and conse- in nutrient composition and increased light the widespread decline of oak regeneration quently water yields were higher than pres- as the driving forces that enhanced habitat and the gradual replacement of oak forests ent-day conditions in which fire exclusion for periphyton. Robertson et al. (2017) with types lacking a historical antecedent; has caused a shift in species composition concluded that frequent prescribed burning for instance,the switch in upland forests to to dominance by diffuse-porous species did not limit the genetic diversity or restrain dominance by red maple or yellow-poplar such as red maple (Ater r•jrbrjttn L.) and the connectivity between breeding ponds (Van Lear 2000). Some stands affected yellow-poplar(Liriodendron lidipifera L.). of the endemic pine woods tree frog(Hyla by long-term fire exclusion have proven Hallema et al.(2017)studied the effects of femvr-alis Bosc, 1800) in Florida. resistant to restoration (Van Lear 2000; repeated prescribed fire on water yield in Kreye et al. 2018) and appear to have a South Carolina watershed, They found Research Gaps altered decomposition rates, which affect water yield decreased by 39%; however, soil nutrients(Alexander and Arthur 2014). there was no experimental control and Counter to the simplified fire intensity and Prescribed fire in the dormant season alone the decrease was more likely attributable severity matrix in Figure 2, real-world does not necessarily enhance oak regenera- to a decrease in precipitation during the prescribed fires in the East are complex tion sufficiently for oaks to outcompete.red m phenomena(Loudermilk et al.2017;Yedi- p yellow-poplar, sample period than burning. Bua and maple, and other mesophyt- Livneh (2017) examined the influences flak et al.2018).The ecological effects of ic,fire-intolerant species that are replacing of different disturbances such as insect fire are dictated by numerous factors whose historically oak-dominated forests in many outbreak,timber harvesting,and fine(both combination is unique to each individual parts of the East (Oakman 2018). These wildfire and prescribed fire)on water yield, fire varying greatly from one ecosystem challenges to prescribed fire implementa- The authors suggested that prescribed fire to another and often among patches within tion, difficulties in effectively predicting can alter streamflow in Georgia and at a single fire (Whelan 1997), and depend fire behavior,and a limited understanding other sites across the country; however, heavily on the season and weather condi- of fire effects on water quality and quantity they failed to separate effects attributable tions pre-,during,and post-fire.As topogra- arc significant research gaps. Improved to different disturbances. Hagerthey et al. play,fuel arrangement and composition,and understanding of burning in stands with (2014) found that prescribed fire in the weather interact in a specific location on a altered fuels and flora is needed to support Florida Everglades increased dissolved ox- given day, fire effects are variable across stewardship decision-makin& ygen and led to higher diversity,of aquatic the landscape(Coates et al.2018).Not all flora and fauna,thereby facilitating a more eastern prescribed fires are ignited in flat Evidence from Coweeta Hydrologic complex food web. 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 at, 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 Natural Areas Journal 53 Volume 39 (1), 2019 Downloaded From:htips:llbioone.orgjjournals/Natural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:ht(ps;/ibloone.org/terms-of-use Access provided by Naturat 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 at. more and better opportunities topredict 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—liardwood 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 waterquality 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 between burned and unburned watersheds, prescribed fires in the eastern United ACKNOWLEDGMENTS water quality has been either unaffected or States have minimal detrimental effects temporarily enhanced immediately post- on the chemical, physical, and biological The authors thank Dr. Mike Aust, Mr. fire by repeated prescribed fires (Richter properties of surface waters. In several Johnny Stowe, and three anonymous re- 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 alter forest floor chemistry and overstory of initial versions of this manuscript.Their severity of prescribed surface fires at Santee composition in ways that may improve comments and feedback greatly enhanced and in many fire-maintained forests of the both water quality and the context and quality of this work. eastern United States. Evidence suggests . Y Yield in forested gg watersheds, Because most prescribed that fires with this prescription minimally fires are implemented under prescriptions Mt: George Hahn ryas formee ly 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- nunter•ous 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 ConserTation at Virginia carcinogens (Abdel-Shafy and Mansour the probability of an uncontrolled wildfire. Tech steadying Appalachian file ecology 2016), following wildfires (Olivella et al, 2005).Similar studies in large watersheds Our review indicates considerable need for nutter the advisement of Dr.Aclaan Coates. are needed to understand the unique dy- additional research regarding the impacts Dr:Adam Coates is the Assistant Professov 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. In 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;fuels,fire effects, ecological effects at specific sites in the severe prescribed burns to achieve cer- crud 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 antes 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 siri.ce 1982,while an under- al.2017).Enhanced technology is needed levels of duff consumption,immediate and graduate at Swarthmore College. In 1990 to parse tl>e 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 Pen.nsylvania'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 on 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://bioone.org/journals/Natural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:https:/Noone.orgtlerms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association wetlands in southwestern Georgia.American M.T.Brooks,J.P.Potyondy,L,Audin,S.L. rich in species and ecological cornmturi Midland Naturalist 150:15-25. Krieger,and C.C.Trettin,eds.,Cumulative ties of greatest conservation need its the Watershed Effects of Fuel Management in mid-Atlantic region. Beyers, J., J, Brown, M. Busse, L. DeBano, the Eastern United States.General Technical W. Elliot, P. Ffolliott, G.R. Jacoby, J.D. Report GTR-SRS-161, US Department of Knoepp,J.D.Landsberg,D.G.Newry,el al. Agriculture Forest Service, Southern Re- Dr: Named Majidzadeh is currently the 2005.Wildland Fire in Ecosystems:Effects search Station,Asheville,NC. Coastal Environmental Quality Program of Fire on Soil and Water.General Technical Specialist at the South Carolina Sea Grant Report RMRS-GTR-42,US Department of Chow,A.T.,J.Dai,WH,Conner,D.R.Hitch- Corisortittni. He nvas previously a Post- Agriculture Forest Service,Rocky Mountain cock, and J.-J. Wang. 2013. Dissolved Research Station. organic matter and nutrient dynamics of a doctoral Scholar at Clemson Unlversil}, coastal freshwater forested wetland in Win- Where he studied impacts of watershed Bixby, R,J., S.D. Cooper, R.E. Gresswell, 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: Chow,A.T.,S.-T.Lee,A.T.O'Geen,T.Orozco, An assessment of the current state of the D.Beaudette,D.,P.-K,Wong,P.J.Hernes, quality and export of organic matter: science.Freshwater Science 34:1340-1350. K.W.Tale,and R.A.Dahlgrenn,2009.Lister Bladon, K.D., M.B. Emelko, U. Silins, and contributions to dissolved organic matter LITERATURE CITED M, Stone.2014.Wildfnre and the future of and disinfection byproduct precursors in water supply. Environmental Science and California oak woodland watersheds,Journal Technology 48:8936-8943, of Environmental Quality 38:2334-2343. Abdel review n poandM.S.M.aromatic hyr.2016. Boerner,R.E.T.,J.A.Brinkman,and A.Smith. 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Sun. 2006.Hydrology and Watersheds, 4th edition.Wiley-Blackwell, ple probe orientation affects prescribed fire water quality of two first order watersheds Ames,IA. behavior estimation.Journal of Environmen- in coastal South Carolina,ASABE Meeting Brooks,B.W.,J.M.Lazorchak,M.D.A.How- tal Quality 47:170-176. Presentation Paper Number 062182, 2006 ard,M.-V.V.Johnson,S.L.Morton,D.A.K. Coates, T.A., A.T. Chow, D.L. Hagan, G.G. ASABE Annual International Meeting, Perkins,E,D.Reavie,G.I.Scott,S.A.Smith, Wang, W.C. Bridges, and J.H. Dozier, Portland,OR, and J.A.Steevens.2016,Are harmful algal 2017.Frequent prescribed fire as a long-term Amatya,➢.,C.Harrison,and C.Trettin,2007. blooms becoming the greatest inland water practice in longleaf pine forests does not Water quality of two first order forested quality threat to public health and aquatic affect detrital chemical composition.Journal watersheds in coastal South Carolina. 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Minnich. 2008, Station,Asheville,NC. y,J.A.,and D.A.Martin.2009,Synthesis Densification, stand-replacement wildfire, of sediment yields after wildland fire in dif- and extirpation of mixed conifer forest in Konopacky,J.2017.Battling the(algae)bloom: ferent rainfall regimes in the western United Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, southern Watershed policies and plans in Wisconsin, States. International Journal of Wildtand California.Forest Ecology and Management Boston College Environmental Affairs Law Fire 18.96-115. 256:36-45. Review 44:253-329. Moody,J.A., D.A. Martin, and S.H. Cannon. Grace, J.M. 11I, R.W. Skaggs, and G.M. Kreye, J.K., J.M. Varner, G.W. Hamby, and 2008. Post-wildfire erosion response in Chescheir. 2006. Hydrologic and water J.M. Kane. 2018, Mesophytic litter damp- two geologic terrains in the western USA. quality effects of thinning loblolly pine, ens flammability in fire-excluded pyro- Geomorphology 95:103-118. 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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 phosphorus-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 tire 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. 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Volume 39 (1), 2019 Natural Areas Journal 57 Downloaded From:htips:/lbloone.orgfjournalslNalural-Areas-Journal on 11 Mar 2019 Terms of Use:httpsAloone.orgtterms-of-use Access provided by Natural Areas Association 'TOWN OF NORI'll ANDOVER Fine,Department Central Bite Headquarters 124 I AIN N0101-1 ANI)OWR, MASSAC HUSI'lTS 01845 William I' klartineatr �,;i � `l'CICPI1031e(978) 6 8-9593 C'Fie f of De 3ar lrtt�rt1 ITAX (978) 698-9594 C;, Scott Nussbaum DBpuCy Chi(GJ 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 %AORTM O�ItLeo at h, ,"04 +F 2 29 eD� CND!lWISK �� 4 V 40Rhren �S's Ski CONSERVATION DEPARTMENT (ommunity 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. I€you have any additional concerns, please do not hesitate to contact me. 1600 Osgood Street,North Andover,Massachusetts DIB45 Phone 978.688,9530 fax 978.688.9542 web www.townofnorthandover,com Abutter toAbufter{ } HulldingDapt. { } Conservafion ( } Zoning ( ) TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER ABUTTER LIST REQUIREMENT, MGL 40A,Section 11 stales in part"Parties In Interest as used in this chapter shall mean the petitioner, abutters,owners of land directly opposite on any public or pdvele way,and abutters Io abutters within three hundred(300)feet of the property line of the petwoner as they appear on the most recent applicable tax list,not w$Lhslandfng that the lend of any such owner Is located In another city or town,the planning Ag board of the city or town,and the planning board of every abutling*or Iowa:' ?°�1 SUBJECT ID LOCATION OWNER ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP 038,0-0008.0000.0 STEVENS STREET WEIR HILL TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS 200 HIGH STREET ATH FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 PARCELID LOCATION OWNER ADDRESS CITY STATE ZIP 036,DTf003-0000.0 576 OSGOOD STREET EDGEWOOD RETIREMENT COMMUNITY, 675 OSGOOD STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 036,0d3007-OD00.0 STEVENS STREET TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS 200 HIGH STREET,4TH FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 036.0-0009-0000.0 STEVENS STREET TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS 200 HIGH STREET,4TH FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 o38,o-0010-00 o.a STEVENS STREET TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS 200 HIGH STREET,4TH FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 036.0-0011-0o00,0 STEVENS STREET TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS 200 HIGH STREET,4TH FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 038.0 0012-0000,11 120 Sl EVENS STREET MARCHESSEAULT,ANDREW J20 STEVENS STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 01M 036.0-Oa13-0000.0 132 STEVENS STREET RONAYNE,JOHN J 122 STEVENS STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 036,D-0016-0000.0 STEVENS STREET TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS 200 HIGH STREFT,4TH FLOOR BOSTON MA 02110 036,o-0016-D000,0 18 STEVENS STREET VALENCIA,ANTHONY 18 STEVENS STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 0184E 036,0 0023-0000.0 10D STEVENS STREET EASTWOOD,FREDERICK S. 100 STEVENS STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 037.A-0007-0000.0 388 GREAT POND ROAD RAINTREE TRUST 386 GREAT POND ROAD NORTH ANDOVER MA 0184E 03TA-0055-0000.0 GREAT POND ROAD TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER 120 MAIN STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 01846 037.0-0001-DOD0,0 REAR STEVENS POND NATIONAL GRID 40 SLYVAN ROAD WALTHAM MA D2461 037.C-0002-0000.0 PLEASANT STREET TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER 120 MAIN STREET NORTH ANDOVER 01845 437.0 OOQ4-0000.0 622 PLEASANT STREI T TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER 120 MAIN STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 o37,C-00o9-aoo0,0 600 PLEASANT STREET TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER 120 MAIN STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 037.C-0050-0000,0 PLEASANT STREET TOWN OF NORTH ANDOVER 12'0 MAIN STREET NORTH ANDOVER 01845 095.D,0002-0000.0 STEVENS STREET TRUSTEES OF RESERVATIONS 2o0 HIGH STREET',4TH FLOOR BOSTON MA 0211a SEORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 095.0-Oao3-oo0o.a 136 STEVENS STREET THOMAs p.HDL[AND 6 MILLP014DS STREET NORTH ANDOVER MA 01846 095.A-Qaos-DQDo.D 6 MILLPOND CONTRADA 2017 TRUST 7 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 095A-0o07.0000.0 7 MILLPOND IUDICIANI,MARIO D RIVE HAVERHILL MA NINE D N 01832 095.A-OOOa-000D.0 8 MILLPOND SCALERA FAMILY TRUST 21 30 BACK BACKMILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01846 o95.A-0030-0Da0.0 30 MILLPOND KAVANAGH,BERNARD,B, 31 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 0f 045 095.A-0031-0000.0 31 MILLPOND CRAIG,ANDREW,D. 32 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 0104E 095.A-0032-0000,0 32 MILLPOND BOBSE,ANNIA 33 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01645 095.A-0033-000o,0 33 MILLPOND FINN,DFBRA L. 34 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 0184E 095.A_Oo34-0000.0 34 MILLPOND PELFFER,WILLIAM,J. OVER MA 01845 095A-0035-ooa0.a 35 MILLPOND KOLVFK,EDWARD 35 MILLPOND NORTH 35 MILLPOND NORTH ANANDDOVER MA 01846 095.A•0036-0000.0 36 MILLPOND DIFFILY,ERIC J. 40 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01045 095.A-004D-0000.0 40 MILLPOND SHIN,YUAN-CHUN 41 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01M 095.A-0041�0000.0 41 MILLPOND CULLINAN,JOSEPH D. 42 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 096.A 0042 a0ao.a 42 MILLPOND ROBERT sTASDNIs 43 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01846 095.A-0043-O000.0 43 MILLPOND SPENCE,LINDA,D. 44 MILLPOND ROAD NORTH ANDOVER MA 01646 09S.A-0044-0040.0 44 MILLPOND MINICUCCI,JUDITH 45 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 096A-0045-0000.0 46 MILLPOND ESIDORF,CARLO E. LPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 095A-0045-0000.0 46 MILLPOND BEECH CIRCLE REALTYTRUST A7 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 095.A-0047.0000,0 47 MILLPOND RUTTER,DAVID J. 48 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 095.A-0040-0000.0 48 MILLPOND MCGARRY,MATTHEW,H. ANDOVER MA D1a45 095.A-0049-0000,0 49 MILLPOND HARRON,WILLIAM J. 60 MILLPOND 49 MILLPOND NORTH ANNORTHANDODOVER MA 01045 096.A-0050-0000.0 60 MILLPOND GOLDMAN,ADRIENNE C. 095.A-0051-0000,a 61 MILLPOND CAHILL MILL POND TRUST 51 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 096,A-a052-0000,0 62 MILLPOND ZIMMERMAN,LAURIE J. 62 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01846 095,A-0053-0000.0 63 MILLPOND GALVIN,PETER 63 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 01845 096.A-0076-0000.0 75 MILLPOND CORRIGAN,DONNA M. 76 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 0184E W&A•0070-0000,0 76 MILLPOND NFWAZ-RAHMAN,NABILA 78 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 0104E o95.A-0077-0000.0 77 MILLPOND FEDERAL NATIONAL MORTGAGE P.O.BOX 650043 DALLAS TX 7b266-0043 095A-0078-00D0,0 78 MILLPOND WARMING70N,JENNIFER L. 78 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 04845 095.A-0079-0000,Q 79 MILLPOND CHARLOTTE S.MURPHY REVOCABLE TRUST 79 MILLPOND NORTH ANDOVER MA 0184E EP7227 HDUSTON TX 77230b679 095A-Di22-0000.0 122 MILLPOND MILLPOND HOMEOWNERS ASSOCIATIO PO BOX 4579,D LAKE COCHICHEWICK COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS 100 CAMBRIOEGE STREET BOSTON MA 02114 7htS GOrtifies that thO "Mee a"Sarmg Aft records Of the Asse9 of Cert>4�ed by", I PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN Weir Hill Reservation (Units 1-9) 42� �/y ✓raid / , +�r � ,1 "�'y.:� �w� � ,�,�`� , ^ 1 Prepared by Northeast ` Forest and Fire Management LLC April 2020 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Contents ELEMENT 1: SIGNATURE PAGE..r....Y..Rr..... .a..iY3 ........•i..Af Y........Y Ya....,i YY.....R..Y• ELEMENT 2: AUTHORIZATION & GOINO-GO CHECKLIST ....... ..............■...4 ELEMENT 3: FINAL COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS SUMMARY.............• ....6 ELEMENT 4: DESCRIPTION OF PRESCRIBED FIRE AREA...............• ...,NY...i..7 ELEMENT 5: GOALS & OBJECTIVES...ElY.r........... ...aYY8 ELEMENT6: FUNDING ..[tt..YY...t..RY..•.....lYa.a..,aYa•.......Y.•.t..iY..•..•■l Y..l....r Y,....9 ELEMENT 7: PRESCRIPTION.....,fY.a.....RYa.......lY...[ ....,...9 [....Y..•f li,R Yail....YY a......YY. ELEMENT 8: SCHEDULING.lI....Yt[[.....Y.11.Y...NYY.•....,RY..••..a.lY......lYYL....YY.......lY111 ELEMENT 9: PRE-BURN CONSIDERATIONS. ...........•...........aliY.•11 ELEMENT1 0: BRIEFING.Y......R.Y..................Y.l..l..[Y.i......l................................13 ELEMENT 11: ORGANIZATION & EQUIPMENT..........a•.................................14 ELEMENT 12: COMMUNICATIONS......................................... ............14 ELEMENT 1 3: SAFETY & MEDICAL................................................... ...17 ELEMENT 14. TEST FIRE ............l.......................................... .....18 ELEMENT 15: IGNITION PLAN .......................a•.Y...Y..•....RRYY,..t„■Yl i.l....Yai.i...YY.•1 ELEMENT 1 6: HOLDING PLAN t.......rY........Y..•1...............Y...............................19 ELEMENT 1 7: CONTINGENCY PLAN....i.........YY..................................r..........20 ELEMENT 18: WILDFIRE CONVERSION PLAN...............[ •......20 ELEMENT 19: SMOKE & AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT ............................. -.21 ELEMENT 20: MONITORING...[..................•..t....Y.11.. ......23 .l f..••....I YYi•...RYY...t.R.YY. ELEMENT 21: POST-BURN ACTIVITIES.....Y.......R.Y........................................24 APPENDIX A: PHOTOS.............................•....RrY......... ...25 Y.RRr..R■YY,....lf Y................. li..1r Y..■Y. APPENDIXB. MAPS...................................•....RIYl•.i.a Rl YY.•...,.■Y...t..lY.,.....YY......R26 APPENDIX C: FIRE BEHAVIOR & SMOKE MODELING DOCUMENTATION....33 APPENDIX D: COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS........................................................ AO APPENDIX E: JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS.................................. .................52 APPENDIX F: TECHNICAL REVIEWER CHECKLIST..... .l...Rr Y•........58 Page 2 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 FIE SIGNATURE PAGE UNIT: The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation NAME: Weir Hill Reservation (WHR); Units 1-9 ING; Moderate PLAN PREPARER: f 0/7 s GvaruRE DarE I ' Alex Entru PRINTED NAME Northeast Forest & Fire Management, LLC AGENCY Prescribed Burn Boss T e 2 RXB2 QUALIFIcarrONs ev E TECHNICAL. REVIEW: "6- SIGNATURE DATE l Joel R. Carlson PRINTED NAME Northeast Forest & Fire Management, LLC AGENCY Prescribed Burn Boss Type 2 RX62 Q UALWICA T1ON5 APPROVED BY: AGENCY ADMINISTRATOR y 1- --..._"-� C SIGN TUBE DATE Russ Hopping. PRINTED NAW The Trustees AGENCY Lead Ecol list, Coastal E—Infiv POSITION TITLE see NOTE: For inlonna ion O l;oesP orc ibi1 i es Gulde"2014 planversion repaferaf l llpsrl+clNnwr rwcg gov/si esldelaoif/files/prnclraidslpms489.polleragency Prescribed Fire Planning and Imple Page 3 of 58 l E I The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 ELEMENT 2: AUTHORlZAT10N & GOINO-GO CHECKLiI�T A;Agency Administrator Ignition Authorization instr_ uctions;The,Agency Administrator ignition Authorization must be completed before a prescribed fire Carr be implemented.If ignition of the prescribed fire is not initiated prior to the expiration date determined by the agency administrator,a new authorization will be required Prior to signature the agency administrator should discuss the following key items with the fire management officer(FhfO)or burn boss.Any additional optional instructions or discussion documentation will be attached to this document, For information on responsibilities of the Plan Preparer','Technical Reviewer,and'Agency Administrator";see the'Interagoney Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Guide'2014 version,at www.nwog,gov/si(esldafau[Yfiles/products/pms484.pdf. t(e Discussion items A. Has anything changed since the Prescribed Fire Plan was approved or revalidated? Such as drought or other climate indicators ofincreased risk,insect achbity,new subdiwsions/structures,smoke requirements,ComplexityAnafysis Rafirrg R Have compliance requirements and pre-burn considerations been completed? Such as preparation stork,NE PA mitigation requirements,cudural,threatened and endangared spocies,smoke permits,state bum rt permifslauthorations. C, Can all of the elements and conditions specified in Prescribed Fire Plan be met? Such as weather,scheduling,smoke management conditions,suitable prescription window,correct season,staffing and organtzaffon,safely considerations,ele. D. Are processes in place to ensure all internal and external notifications and media releases will be Completed? E. Have key agency staffs been fully briefed about the Implementation of this prescribed fire? F. Are there circumstances that could affect the successful implementation of the plan? Such as preparedness level restrictions,resource availability,other prescribed fire or wildro acfivily, G. Have you communicated your expectations to the Burn Boss and FMo regarding if and when you are to be notified that contingency actions are being taken? H. Have you communicated your expectations to the Burn Boss and FMG regarding decisions to declare the prescribed fire a wildfire? IMPLEMENTATION RECOMMENDED BY: fFM0 0R PRESCR)aED F)RE BQRRN BOSS) SIG TURF DATE Alex Entru PRINTED NAME Senior S ecialisURXB2 P057r0N TITLE I am authorizing ignition of this prescribed fire between the dates of r' Z$ Zr� / i' It i s my expectation that the project will be implemented within this time frame and as discussed and documented and at ached to this plan.If the conditions we discussed change during this time frame,it is my expectation you will brief me on the circumstances and an updated authorization will be negotiated if necessary. Additional Instructions or Discussion Documentation attached(Optional): Yes ❑ No ❑ IGNITION AUTHORIZED BY; (AGENCYADMINISTRATOR) r SIGNATU E DATE RUSs HO rn PRINTED NAME Lead Ecologist. Coastal Ecolo PosrTraN rrrLe -----�y Page 4 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 B: Prescribed Fire Go/No-Go Checklist Prellmina Questions Circle YES or NO X Have conditions in or adjacent to the ignition unit changed,{for example:drought conditions or fuel loadings},which were not considered in the prescription development? YES NO If NO proceed with the GOINO-GO Checklist below,if YES go to item B. B. Has the prescribed fire plan been reviewed and an amendment been approved;or has it been determined that no amendment is necessary? YES NO If YES,proceed with checklist below. if NO,STOP:Implementation is not allowed.An amendment Is needed. G01NO-GO Checklist Circle'YES'or NO Have ALL permits and clearances been obtained? YES NO Have ALL the required notifications been made? YES NO Have ALL the pre-burn considerations and preparation work identified in the prescribed fire YES NO plan been completed ar addressed and checked? Have ALL required current and projected fire weather forecast been obtained and are they YES NO favorable? Are ALL prescription parameters met? YES NO Are ALL smoke management specifications met? YES NO Are ALL planned operations personnel and equipment on-site,available and operational? YES NO Has the availability of contingency resources applicable to today's implementation been YES NO checked and are they available? Have ALL personnel been briefed on the project objectives,their assignment,safety YES NO hazards,escape routes,and safety zones? If all the questions were answered"YES" proceed with a test fire. Document the current conditions,location and results. If any questions were answered"NO", DO NOT proceed with the test fire: implementation is not allowed. Circle YES or NO After evaluating the test fire,in your judgment can the prescribed fire be carried out YES NO according to the prescribed fire plan and will it meet the planned objective? PRESCRIBED FIRE BURN BOSS: DATE SIGNATURE PRINTED NAME AGENCY QUA!rRCA7lDN5 Page 5 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 ELEMENT 3: FINAL COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS SUMMARY PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS-SUMMARY&FINAL COMPLEXITY Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees weir Hill Categor a on-Site Quantity Significance } NCuitlplo Mod u off-Vie Multiple e Mod s Public/Political lnterestFew Mod Element Preliminary Risk Post-Plan Risk Technical Difficulty Calculated Rating safely FireBehavlor Mod Mod Mod.... - Mad.... Resistance to containment Mod Mod Mod IgnlllonProceduresandmelhoos MOd- ...Mad. Presal6ed Flrn Duration Mod.'.;. Mod - Smoke Management Number and Dependence of Activities Mod Mod Mo . Mod. d ,ManagementOrganiration -MOd.. Mod Mod Mod Treatment/Resource Objectives Mod Mod-- Mod Constraints MOd - Mod'.. Mod Mod Project Logisl Its Mod Mad. Mod Mod . Mnd Mod Calculated Summary Prescribed Fire Plan Complexity Irw Low Mod High Determination Final Com lexlty Determination Rationale Overall compresdly is mddeyate,rho orsit overolfls ofenoderafe compferity. the unit lacks onyhigh compfeAity elemenls,Dad moat moderate elements can be miVgoted. The unit is not low mmpreut y because it has the trailul(t ll�.l po forhlgh frre behoylor,impocts to spnsirAespecies,overnighr smorder yareMlol,tYr t.l mufrip!efaef mtlJels,ro4+sticalramp!eriry.aM aa<merous safety cha'renges. inl[YTaIOn on theresp0l,ub:Lrie s of I bt,ptA,preparq',_Nec .fral fter:xaef•,and"A pDro.+ed By iAden[y Admfnstrala}•;see the"ntam;enry preuribpd Tire piannng and impkmemahon praederea informaignun tt.ceomp'e>nyra'glee lhc'presa:ked tore tomp!e.ayp ting Sysrem GWde'1037,foun3 al wn-x.nn[ nede'2017 and for g gav/pubn7atbns. PLANPREPARER; oarsluu rr,;nr �-.� , Entrup Prescribed Fire Burn Boss T e RX02j l Northeast Forest and Fire Management,LLC r:L'AttFICArt 6 ASFhcy ii n TECHNICAERFVIEW; - -- µ i t —�.__� Joel R.Carlson cant"5taomr �— -� Prescribed Fire Burn Boss Type 2(RNB2) rr.vtFo,tty[ ___. r Northeast Forest and Fire Management,UC nua[srrarmtis e AGrh S APPROVED B A Yi(e My Adm hlsilralwI; Ruffs Hopping r,Ar41a^+lonrnr Lead Ecologat rcv:er�nur NOTE. For more information on the'Pfescnbed Fire Comptexily Analysis-PMS 424,'Final Complexily Malysis Summary',and"Agency Administrator" responsibilities,see the`lnloragoncy Prescribed Fire Planning and Implementation Procedures Guide,2008 versiolt,at I hflp.'IJP,",[wrcg 9oVlpms1RxFire1rxirre.h1m. Page 6 of 58 Ij3 f The Trustees - 'Weir Hill Reservation 2020 F ELEMENT 4: DESCRIPTION OF PRESCRIBED FIRE AREA A: PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION 1: LOCATION Administrative Unit: The Trustees Ownership: The Trustees Town: North Andover County: Essex County State: Massachusetts Prescribed Fire Name: Weir Hill Reservation (WHR) Topo Map: Lawrence MA Quadrangle USGS SW Corner Coordinates'. Note:All Coordinates u {Unit 8} re in WGS84 78 Elevation: I I I'to 305'above sea level 2: SIZE UNIT 3 A 5 6 7 `:$ 9 TOTAL ACRES 1 6 15 4 11 18 9 S 14 86 3: TOPOGRAPHY The site is defined by Weir Hill and a smaller hill to the northwest of Weir Hill.Slope varies from relatively flat to hilly.Average slope is—6%and maximum slope is-26%.The unit boundary is adjacent to Lake Cochichewick to the south and east. 4: PROJECT BOUNDARIES a Generally,the project is defined by trails adjacent to the property boundary.The project area encompasses the areas identified as"fire influenced"with some additional forested land to the northwest. B: VEGETATION & FUELS DESCRIPTION Vegetation and fuel descriptions are based on field inspection and are classified using the Massachusetts Natural Heritage& Endangered Species Program Natural Communities Classification System where appropriate.fuel models were assigned to the vegetative communities within subunits using the Scott and Burgan fire behavior prediction fuel model set: Scott,J.H.;Burgan,R.E.2005.Standard fire behavior fuel models:a comprehensive set for use with Rothermel's surface fire spread model,General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-153. 1: ON-SITE Oak-Hickory Woodlands—18 Acres—23%of units [Moderate Load,Humid Climate Timber-Shrub TU21 Oak-hickory woodlands have a canopy roughly 30-60%cover and understory of leaf litter,ericaceous shrubs, oak and hickory regeneration,white pine regeneration,and herbaceous plants.The woodlands often occur on slopes where mechanical treatments have not been implemented.Rates of spread are expected to be moderate and flame lengths low.Units 5,3,4A and 7A contain a significant TU2 component. Oak-Hickory Forest--6 Acres—80%of units [Moderate Load Broadleaf Litter TL61 Oak-hickory forest occurs in the areas between the open shrub habitat and the mixed hardwood forest.Canopy cover is greater than 60%.Fuel are primarily comprised of leaf litter with a minor shrub component.Flame lengths and rates of spread are expected to be low.Unit 2 is the only unit comprised mostly of Tt_6. a Open Shrublands—45 Acres—58%of units [Low Load,Humid Climale Timber-Shrub SH41 A large area of ridgetop and south and east facing slope has been thinned and/or fire maintained.The vegetation is primarily scrub oak,ericaceous shrubs,coppice oak and hickory,and a mix of herbaceous plants. Canopy cover varies between 20%and open.The areas are generally mowed every other year.Flame lengths are expected to be moderate and rates of spread high.Units 6,7,8,and 9 are primarily shrublands. Page 7 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Frates b Swam s and Thickets—4 Acres—5%of units erate Load,humid Climate Shrub SH4] p areas dominated by shrubs and green brier are present in two areas(units 3C and 4B).Fire is expected t carry through the areas unless in very dry conditions.If fuels are available to burn,flame lengths and of spread would be tow. • Broadleaf Forests&Seeps—4 acres--5%of units [Low Load BroadleafLiftor TC2j Outside of the fire influenced areas,the vegetation is primarily mixed northern hardwood forest.Fire would be unlikely to carry through the forest under most prescribed conditions.Flame lengths and rates of spread would be very low.The northern portion of 98 is the only area within the burn area with this fuel type. • Heath Grasslands—7 Acres—9%of units [Moderate toad,Dry Climate Grass-Shrub(Dynamic)GS21 The ridgetop is mowed annually and maintained as an open heathlandlgrassland,The fuels are low ericaceous shrubs mixed with warm season grasses,Flame lengths are expected to be moderate and rates of spread high. This type is found in unit 3 and the adjacent areas near the Stevens Trail. • Cultural Grasslands—1 Acre—I%of units [Low Load, Very Coarse,Humid Climate Grass(Dynamic)GR3] The area around the Stevens St.parking lot is a mowed grassland(unit 1).The vegetation is mostly cool- season grasses and native wildflowers. 2: OFF-SITE The burn area is to a large degree bordered by water,Lake Cochichewick borders the property to the east and south.Stevens Pond borders the units to the west. North: North of the unit is northern hardwood forest(TL2). East East of the unit is oak woodland with mixed pine(TL6)until reaching Lake Cochichewick. South:South of the unit is water. West: West of the unit is open water,Stevens Pond,at the south end.The north end is bordered by oak- hickory forest to the west(TI.6). C: DESCRIPTION OF UNIQUE FEATURES AND RESOURCES • The majority of the site is within NHESP designated Priority Habitat 2050. • Wetlands are present in and near burn units including an intermittent stream. • Stone walls are present within the burn area. ELEMENT 5: GOALS & OBJECTIVES A: GOALS • Reduce hazardous fuel loading and wildfire danger. • Ecological maintenance of a mosaic of grasslands,oak savannas,and oak woodlands(i.e.,rare barrens habitat). • Promote regeneratlon of warm-season grasses. • Improve habitat for the state-listed frosted elfin and sandplain Euchlaena,as well as slate-listed fire-associates and other declining plants species found throughout the fire-influenced community on Weir Hill, • Enhance the overall structure and compositional diversity of the Weir Hill Reservation vegetation through a fire schedule that varies in the season,frequency,and intensity of burns within the fire-influenced plant community. • Reduce undesirable tree,shrub and vine coverlvigor. • Consume project fuels associated with management activities. • Provide wildland fire training through practical application in Wldland fire behavior,fire suppression principles,and prescribed fire techniques. Page 8 of 58 i The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 1. B: OBJECTIVES 1: RESOURCE OBJECTIVES Forest and Woodland Objectives Greater than 50%of the substrate layer burned in low or moderate severity. Greater than 40° of the low-woody vegetation layer burned in low or moderate severity. Greater than 20°/0 of the high woody vegetation layer burned in low or moderate severity. Less than 25%of the leave trees with severe canopy scorch. Grassland and Shrubland Objectives • Greater than 70%of the substrate layer burned in low or moderate severity. • Greater than 50%of the low-woody vegetation layer burne• d in low or moderate sever'siy. Greater than 40%of the high-woody vegetation layer burned in low or moderate severity. • Less than 25%of the leave trees with severe canopy scorch. • No more than 1/3 of total frosted elfin habitat burned in one year. 2: PRESCRIBED FIRE OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES Complete each prescribed fire within one operational period. Have no escapes or injuries. nsitive smoke receptors Have no smoke impacts to se (see pg.22).Prevent smoke impacts to off-site receptors tion Agency standard for"Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups!')and from exceeding 2.5 ppm(Environmental Protec avoid creating prolonged periods of nuisance smoke generation. Complete operations without preventable damage to equipment. Have no impacts on roadways, FUNDING ELEMENT 6. A: SOURCE(S) Funding sources will vary by funding availability,project,and assisting agency.All resources used for the burn will be funded from the participating agencies'budget centers unless otherwise documented in writing. B: COST(S) All resources for planned prescribed fires for this unit will be funded from the participating agencies budget centers. ELEMENT 7: PRESCRIPTION Prescribed burn operations may continue at the discretion of the burn boss if an environmental or fire behavior parameter is outside of prescription limits,if the observed and expected fire behavior is still within and expected to remain within control capabilities of the on-site resources. Adjustments to parameters,resources,and/or tactics must be documented in the burn plan. The changed parameter,resources,and/or tactics cannot result in an increase in the complexity level of the burn. Page 9 of 58 l I' I The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 FA: ENVIRONMENTALMENTAL PRESCRIPTIONth a KBDI greater than 100 or a period without appreciable(>02)precipitation of greater than 5 days;expect deeply and persistently,mop-up to be difficult,a need to conduct mop-up over multiple days,and increased daily unit checks until significant precipitation occurs, No burn should take place when the predicted nighttime ecast to be 7 or higher for the night immediately following the burn or during a period that overnight smoldering expeced. Environmental Parameters. Min. Max. Environmental Parameters Min. Max. Surface Wind Dir.(cardinal): See table beim EPA PM 2.5 Index: 20 Foot Wind Sp,(mph): 0 75 3 22 EPA Ozone index: 0 54 Mid-dame Wind Sp.(mph): 0 8 1 Hour fuel Moisture(%): 6 Mixing Height(it): 12 1,500 None 10 Hour Fuel Moisture Transport Wind Dir, (cardinal): 8 None any 100 Hour Fuel Moisture{%) 10 None Transport Wind Sp.(mph): 8 None Live Herbaceous Fuef Moisture{%): Nona None Keetch-Byram Drought Index(KBDI): None 299' Live Woody Fuel Moisture{%): None None Atmospheric Dispersion Index: 20 None Air Temperature(°F): Low Vis.Occurrence Risk Index(Night): None g ° 35 90. �` Rotative Humidity(/°): 30 75 Subunit 1 Z. 3A 3B 3C 4A&8 5 Allowed Wind Directions 6 '7A&B 8 9A 98 ; Clockwise WNW WNW SW-NW SW-W SW-NW SW-W SW-NW SW SW-W 5W SW S-SW Excluded combinations of parameters: If both of the following environmental conditions are met the weather will be considered out of prescription. • Mid-flame wind speed greater than 6 mph • RH less than 35% "If burning with a KBDI greater than 199 expect spot fires to burn deeply and persistently,mop-up to be difficult,a need to conduct mop-up over multiple days,and increase frequency of daily unit checks until significant precipitation occurs. An additional Type 6 engine or higher is required when the KBDI is greater than 200(see Element 11B). If nighttime LVORI is forecast to be 7 or greater, 100%mop-up must fake place. No Burn will occur if heat index is over 105°F B: FIRE BEHAVIOR PRESCRIPTION Two or more days of drying would be likely be needed to reach objectives. Following frost,two or more hours of drying may be needed before fuels are sufficiently cured. Parameter GR3 GS2 5H3 SH4* TU2# TL2k TL6k Max.Head ROS(chfhr): 121 95 64 151 Min.Head ROS(chlhr); 2 33 2 13 2 2 17 4 0 2 Max.Head FL(feet): 10 11 17 16 Min.Head FL(feet): 1 6 1 4 1 3 g 2 0 1 Max.Backing ROS(ch/hr): 4 3 2 4 Min.Backing ROS(ch/hr): 2 1 1 0 0 2 3 1 0 0 Max.Backing FL(feet): 2 2 4 3 1 Min,Backing FL(feet): 1 1 1 1 3 2 1 1 1 'Behave run slope input at 40% Page 10 of 58 'rho Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 SCHEDULING ELEMENT 8: A: IGNITION TIME FRAME & SEASON(S) Burning during different season will generate different complete vegetative bl black,Summer burns Spring reduce res tend woody encroachment and vigor. grasses and produces more evenly distributed and p likely Fall burns tend to promoteg the first two weeks of May can causre e high oak modality,duce shrub vigor,while dormant s l Burning untreated oak- increase stem density. Woodland burns n hickory forest/woodland prior to May would likely be the best option for minimizing overstory mortality. B: PROJECTED PROJECT DURATION Refer to the MassDEP permit for any acreage limitations on burns by day or during the permit period(30 acreslyear permitted in 2019).As allowed by the permit,it is likely that one subunit to 30 acres could be burned in one operational period.it would likely take between 4 and 10 burns to burn the areas covered in the burn plan, Duration for a single day is expected to be approximately 8 to 10 hours from arrival time to departure. Briefing and setup should be approximately 2 hours,ignition and holding will be approximately 3 to 5 hours,mop-up will be approximately 1 to 2 hours(assuming low KBDI—below 100),and de-briefing and breakdown will be approximately 1 hour, C: CONSTRAINTS • All ignitions must be conducted between the hours of 0900 and 1700,unless otherwise authorized. • No prescribed fires are permitted during periods that ozone AQI is predicted to be greater than 50,PM 2.5 AQl is predicted to be greater than 75. • No more than 30 acres may be burned in one year. f Environmental Protection permit far any changes NOTE:Check most current Department o . PRE-BURN CONSIDERATIONS ELEMENT 9: A: CONSIDERATIONS 1: ON-SITE • Representative for agency will be present during all fire operations.(Agency) • Water resources will be identified and tested prior to fire operations and obtain appropriate permission.(Agency in coordination Burn Boss) Numerous hydrants located near the property,hydrant use should be coordinated through the local fire department or DCR fire warden.The closest hydrant to the Stevens Lot is located at the intersection of Harkaway Rd.and Stevens Road south of the lot.The closest hydrant to the beach lot is at across Pleasant St.from the lot at Fox Hill Rd.(Agency and/or Burn Boss will coordinate with MA DCR1Town Fire Dept.) If using Stevens Pond for drafting,verify that location will be suitable for burn day.(Agency andlor Burn Boss) • portable pump must be set up in a way to ensure no spillage into water(i.e.use of secondary containment,sorbent pads,fuel staged 50 feet from water,etc.). The entire site or target units and adjacent units within will be closed to the public during fire operations (Agency will post signs and will coordinate with Burn Boss) Roads immediately adjacent to the prescribed fire unit will be posted if necessary.(Burn Boss) • The burn plan should be reviewed and adjusted as needed based on changed objectives and conditions,(Burn BosslTechnical Reviewer/Agency Administrator) Confirm staging area for prescribed fire and contingency resources.The town beach lot has limited availability wn.The Stevens Lot is available at all times,The based on seasonal usage and must be coordinated with the to small lot east of the town beach lot is suitable for a small amount of equipment,but not multiple trailers. (Agency in coordination Burn Boss) Verify that on-site research and monitoring equipment(e.g.PVC pipes,animal traps,vegetation plot markers, • etc.)is prepped andlor an adequate protection plan is in place prior to burn.(Agency) Duff and dry fuel bed depth in logging slash,old logging decks and masticated fuels within targeted subunit(s) I (Burn Boss) will be checked prior to ignition to evaluate potential for overnight smoldering. � Page 11 of 58 I I'. 1. The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 • Pre-Burn Line Preparation(All line prep is the responsibility of the Agency)(See Firebreak and Unit Map) • All fire lines traveled by engines for the subunit to be burned must be mowed to at least 12 feet wide and passable by a pickup truck. • All fire lines mapped as UTV lines should be mowed at least 8 feet wide and passable by a UTV. The break identified as UTV w/improvement on the firebreak map would likely need to be widened and improved in order to be easily passable by a UTV. • Dead ends of UTV and Type 6 engine fire lines should have a turn-around installed at the end. • Handlines and trails,mapped as"Foot-Leaf Blown"and"Trail-Firebreak"respectively,to be held with hoseiays or bladder bags should be at brush cut least three feet wide with vegetation cut within 6 inches of the ground.Note:Locations of handlines(Foot-Leaf Blown)shown on maps are approximate and may be moved at the discretion of the agency or burn boss so long they are consistent with the intent expressed in the plan, • All stems and stumps on vehicle firebreaks will be flush cut to allow equipment to pass. • Snags that could fall over a fire line should be cut down, • Fire sensitive infrastructure in target unit(e.g.PVC pipes,animal traps,bird houses,signs,fencing, vegetation plot markers,etc,)will be removed from unit,or sufficiently prepped so that they will not be impacted by fire.Wooden fences are present in 9B downslope.of the firebreak,The fenceposts should be prepped(raked,brush-cut,and/or leaf blown)prior to burning so that they cannot be impacted by fire. • Firebreaks along stone walls should be located on the inside of the wall(e.g.unit 5), • The waterside trail in 9B has been abandoned and would need to be reestablished as a leaf blown line prior to burning. • Optional:Firebreaks and drop points should be identified on the ground prior to burning,Ground paint and/or signs could be used to indicate unit boundaries and breaks that area passable by engines,UTVs,etc.to avoid confusion. 2: OFF-SITE • Coordinate with participating agencies to arrange logistics concerning crew and equipment(Burn Boss) • Confirm local fire departments,other appropriate town agencies,and sensitive receptors are made aware of Planned prescribed fire activities(Burn Boss and Agency) • Submit plan to NHESP for MESA review(Agency) • Obtain permit from MassUEP(Agency) • Obtain permit from conservation commission if operating within jurisdictional wetland buffer.(Agency) B: METHOD FOR OBTAINING WEATHER AND SMOKE MANAGEMENT FORECAST(S) All weather sites and frequencies are recommendations;the burn boss will adjust frequency and source based on availability of forecasts,needs,and conditions. • NWS Fire Weather(Fire Weather&Red Flag Warnings),Point Forecast,and Hourly Weather Graphs are available at htt ://www.weather, ov/box/fire(use MAZO06--Western Essex MA),and will be checked the day prior to the burn and the morning of the burn, • Upper air soundings can be accessed at the NWS web page at hltR, ,sac.noaa oov]exner/ to run model data in bufklt or a similar program upper air soundings can be accessed at sound5 htt ll vw.meteo. su,edu/bufkiVNEUS HRRR Oa,himl(use station KLWM or KBVY),and run in the bufklt program(or similar program)to project winds,dispersion conditions,and other variables. If the NWS Fire Weather page is not operating,running this model can provide missing smoke management information. • HYSPLIT Trajectory and Concentration Models can be accessed at htt lfwww.arl.noaa. ovlHYSPLIT info,olip and can be used for day of burn smoke management considerations. • VSmoke—Web can be accessed at htt //,weather. fc,state, a,USIGoo IeVsrnoke/vsmoke to model smoke dispersion. Good2.html and is designed • A spot weather forecast request may be made on the NWS Fire Weather Page at 49 //wwyr,weather,00v/boxifire. This forecast is not always available if so,note that spot weather forecast was not accessible, Some federal partner organizations require a SPOT forecast to assist. • Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection AQI conditions and forecasts can be accessed at htt ,Ileeaoniine.eea.state,ma.us]de Imassairfwebt#i ollutionlrna IforEcast or the US Environmental Protection Page 12 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Agency's AIRNOW Air Quality Index for PM 2.5 and Ozone can be acquired at htt :lfairnow, o0ridex.cfm?action=a'tr now,showlocal&Clt ED=38. C: NOTIPkCATiONS North Notifications will be coordinated by Burn Boss and AgencyCiommunit Sand Roiling Ridge 11 is issued by ConferenceoCenterver e Department,cads are not required to Brooks School,Edgewood Retirement yphone Number A enc. '&Contact Comments Notify in advance of burn.Fire Office:(978)688-9590 ext.41111 North Andover Fire Department Department can issue some Cell:(978)289-0394 Chief William McCarthy notifications through social media Email:wmcearth northandoverma. ov and can issue a reverse 911, Dis etch: 978 683-1368 North Andover Emer enc Dis etch Dis etch for North Andover Office:(978)688-9530 North Andover Conservation Commission Notify by phone day of the burn Email;ceemalls northandoverma. ov Am Maxner Conservation Administrator By Email;5usan.ruch state.ma.us; MassDEP Northeast Regional Office Prior to ignition but not greater than karen, olden smith state.ma,us Susan Ruch,Karen Gotder-Smith 48 hours prior. See Element 19B. -5660 DCR Forest Fire Control(Dist.5) Prior to ignition,preferably tar in office:(978)887-0620 And Re an,Disf.Warden advance Long-term care facility northeast of Edgewood Retirement Community the burn unit.Less than 1,000 feet Office:(978)725-4100 575 Osgood St.,North Andover,MA 01845 of burn area.Call rior to! nition. Brooks School Private secondary school east of Office:(978)725.6300 Great Pond Rd. Lake Cochichewick North Email: North Andover,MA 01845 Dean of Students Susanna Waters cushin r north cover ublicschoo s.com Lakeside conference center Rolling Ridge Conference Center downwind of unit(NE).May be Office:(978)682-8815 x 2 Executive Director impacted by smoke if not Dr.Rev,Lawrence Jay dis ersin over water. Office:(978)840.4446 x 1927 Trustees Lead Ecologist Cell: 978 390.4218 9 Must approve burn Russ Hopping Emai3:rho in thetrustees,or Smoke sensitive neighbors within 500-foot Trustees will maintain list smoke buffer BRIEFING ELEMENT 10: At the burn boss'discretion the checklist may be adjusted to meet specific needs,however a copy of the completed checklist must be included in the burn file and the basic components of the above checklist must be retained. Briefing Checklist 6.Ignition Plan 1. Burn Organization 7.Holding Plan 2. Burn Objectives 8.Contingency Plan 3. Description of Burn Area g,Wildfire Conversion Plan 4, Expected Weather&Fire Behavior 10.Safety 5. Communications Alternative Briefing Checklist lased? Yes I No BURN BOSS: ! f I INITIALS DATE l: Page 13 of 58 The Trustees � Weir Hill Reservation 2020 FELEMENT7: ORGANIZATION & EQUIPMENT d number of staff are suggested for ease and efficiency of operations.The burn boss may adjust the listed d number of staff depending on site conditions,resources,expected fire behavior,and common crew evels. A minimum crew size of 9 is required. Any adjustment must be of a type that will not affect the complexity of the burn and be documented in the burn plan or burn day log. • 1 Burn Boss 5 Prescribed Burn Crew Prescribed Burn Boss Type 2 • • 2 Holding Bosses Ffrafighter Type 2 Frefighter Type 1 • I Fire Weather/Smoke Observer • I Ignition Boss Fire Effects Monitor.Firefighter Type 2 Firefighter Type 1 B: EQUIPMENT The burn boss may adjust the amount and type of equipment needed based on site conditions,resources,expected fire behavior,crew size,and crew experience. The adjustment must be of a type that will not affect the complexity of the burn and will be documented in the prescribed fire plan.An additional Type 6 engine is required if burning with KBDI greater than 199. • 5 Drip Torches • 2 Prescribed Burn Si ns • 5 Backpack Pumps 0 g 1 Type$Engine{2 if KBDI>199} 8 Hand Tools 9 Radios • 1 Type 7 Engine or UTV • 8 Weather Kit 1 First Aid Kit • Temp trail closure signs • • 1 Set of PPEI Person . 1 portable pump with associated hoses,appliances,and fuel C: SUPPLIES The burn boss may adjust quantities and types of supplies based on season,conditions,and size of crew. The adjustment must be of a type that will not affect the complexity of the burn and will be documented in the prescribed fire plan. • 10 Gallons Drip Torch Fuel . 5 Gallons of Drinking Water NOTE;Drip torch amounts should be doubled(ar growing season bums. NOTE. Drinking wateramounts should be doubled f(ambient air temperature is forecast to be greater than 80,F,if forecast to be groaterthan 85°F 5galfons should be an electrolyte sports drink. ELEMENT 12: A: RADIO FREQUENCIES COMMUNICATIONS Frequencies will be identified,verified,and adjusted as needed prior to ignition and will be based on need and attending agencies. At a minimum,a tactical frequency will be identified for prescribed fire operations. Supervisors and any crew that will be working independently of an immediate supervisor or out of visual and verbal communication distance with an immediate supervisor with a radio or adjacent resources should be issued a radio. COMMAND FRFQUrFNCY S : Receive Transmi# Channel: freq./tone(PL) freq./tone(PL) Notes DCR 16 159.2851- 159.2851 If required{NFFPC} DCR 13 151.235/71.9 151.235/71.9 Alternative command and reserve in the event of contin enc MA DCR Fire Control Page 14 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 TACTICAL FRE UENCY S : Receive Transmit Notes Channel.... .'. freg.ltone.(PL) freq:ltone(iPL) AIR OPERATIONS FRE UENCY S Receive Transmit. Notes Channel freq ltone(PL) freciAone(PL) 151,310f71.9 Air operations to be coordinated through MA OCR Fire DCR 14 151,310171.9 Control B. TELEPHONE NUMBERS Contact&'Camrnents Phnne'Number A enc pfiice:(978)688-9590 ext.41111 Chief William McCarthy Cell:(978)289-0394 North Andover Fire Department Email:wmccarth northandoverma ov North Andover Police Department Office:(978)683-3168 Noah Andover Emergency Dispatch Dispatch for North Andover Dispatch:(978)683-1368 Dispatch for Town of Andover Office:(978)475-0411 Andover Police and Fire Dispatch ont Dispatch for nearby towns to Dispatch:{978)801 4911 North Shore Regional 911 Center the s tas (Middleton, MA State Police Andover Barracks Office:( )97$ 475-3800 Office: 978 MassDEP Northeast Regional Office Karen Golden-Smith f )694-3275 NOAA Taunton Hayden Frank Office:(508)828-2672 Office:(978 District Fire Warden )887-0620 OCR Forest Fire Control(Dist.5 Warden) And Re en Cell: 508 922-5650 Office:(978)620-3400 Lawrence Fire Department Chief Brian Mortaty Email:BMariart cit oflawrence,com Office:(978)475-1281 Andover Fire Department Chief Michael Mansfield Email:mmanslield andaver s.net Office:(978)840-4446 ext.1927 The Trustees Russ Hopping Celt: (978)390-4218 Email:rho in theirustees,or Lawrence General Hospital Nearest Emergency Room Office:(978)683 4000 1 General St.Lawrence,MA 01841 Page 15 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Brigham-Women's Hospital Burn Center 75 Francis S€.,Boston,MA Burn Center Office Office:(617)732-7715 Lawrence Municipal Airport 492 Sutton St., North Andover, MA Contact the tower if smoke Control Tower:(978)683-5510 01845 impacts are expected Office:(978)794-5880 Lakeside conference center Rolling Ridge Conference Center downwind of unit(NE).May 660 Great Pond Rd. be impacted by smoke if not North Andover,MA 01845 dispersing over water. Executive Director: Dr.Rev.Lawrence Ja Office: 978 682-8815 x 2 Brooks School Private secondary school east 1160 Great Pond Rd. or Lake Cochichewick Office:(978)725-6300 North Andover,MA 01845 Mean of Students: Email: Susanna Waters cushinorgnorlhandayoroublicschools.com Kittredge Elementary School Elementary school west of the Office:(978)794-1688 601 Main St.North Andover,MA 01845 burn area. Email: Princi al Richard Cushin cushinarna 430 Osgood Street northandover ubiicschools.com North Andover High School Nigh School northwest of Office:(978)794-1711 burn area. North Andover,MA 01845 Email: Princi al Chester Jackson acksonc northandaver ublioschools,com North Andover Middle School Middle School west of burn Office:(978)794-0231 566 Main St.,North Andover,MA 01845 area. Email: Principal Jorge Goncalves onIqa_Iyesj4Dno1handoVeT ublicschools.corn Atkinson School ice:(978)794-D124 111 Phillips Brooks Rd. School west of burn area. Off North Andover,MA 01845 Principal Erin O'Loughlin Email: Thompson School olou Mine northandover ublicschools.com West of burn area, Office:(978)794-1545 266 Waverly Rd., North Andover,MA Principal Christopher Mark Email: 01845 Ra mond St.Michael Elementary School ra monde northandover ublicschoois.com 80 Maple Avenue,North Andover,MA West of burn area Office:(978)686-1862 01845 Principal Susan Gosselin Email:Susan oasselin(a�saintmichaef.com Annie L Sargent Elementary School Elementaryschool south of 300 Abbott Street,North Andover,MA the burn area. Office:(978)725-3673 01845 Principal Karen Ann Murdoch Email: Lahe murdochlahe I thandover ublicschools.com Prescott House Long-term care facility within 140 Prescott St.,North Andover MA smoke buffer northwest of , Office:(978)685 8086 01845 burn area, Ashland Farm at North Andover Long-term care facility within 700 Chickering Rd, smoke buffer northwest of Office:(978)561 9912 North Andover,MA 01845 burn area. Edgewood Retirement Community tong-term care facility 575 Osgood St.,North Andover,MA northeast of the burn unit, 01845 Less than 1,000 feet of burn Office:(978)725-4100 area. Page 16 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 ELEMENT 13: SAFETY & MEDICAL A: SAFETY HAZARDS Entrapment Ticks and Tick-Borne Diseases • FFatigue,Heat Exhaustion,and Dehydration • Uneven Terrain Holes and Depression Rollover Potential Overhead Dangers(snags) Smoke inhalation • Tripping Hazards Smoke In Roadways (Stumps,Branches,Vegeleyon,Barbed Wire,etc.) B: HAZARD MITIGATION If wind direction makes smoke on roadways likely,burn boss will direct smoke signs to be posted as needed. All crew will be briefed on tick-borne disease prevention and associated safety measures. Supervisors will maintain accountability of crew. Crew experiencing excessive smoke inhalation will have responsibilities rotated to give relief from smoke. Extra drinking water will be made available to crew and crew will be briefed on symptoms and treatment of heat exhaustion,dehydration,and fatigue. Supervisors will be reminded to watch for symptoms of heat exhaustion, dehydration,and fatigue. First AidlCPR,EMT,and Paramedic qualified personnel will be identified during crew briefing in addition to the location and type of medical gear onsite, At a minimum one fire resource,will be First Aid and CPR certified. Crew and equipment will not operate on roadways. Staging should be established on the same side of road as burn unit. Driving of UTV or engines on steep side-slope will be avoided. C: EMERGENCY MEDICAL PROCEDURES Follow Medical Emergency Guidelines and Procedures as outlined in IRPG Victim will be stabilized and moved only if directly under threat that cannot be mitigated. The burn boss will be notified of the situation,location of patient,and assign qualified medical personnel to the patient. The burn boss or designee will activate EMS and if possible put a qualified first responder in direct communications With EMS. Qualified individuals will provide Immediate first aid until EMS personnel arrive and relieve the first responder. After the incident,an accident report will be filled out and a copy provided to the burn boss,property owner{manager, • and the individuals home unit. Name of victim will not be used over radio D: EMERGENCY EVACUATION METHODS The burn boss and identified on-scene medical lead will implement the medical plan to initiate EMS response and transport to the nearest appropriate treatment facility.Call 911 and provided symptoms and location.Stabilize victim in safe,accessible location.EMS dispatch will notify an ambulance and direct them to the patient. In the event that an air evacuation is required for a patient the determination will be made by EMS staff and the ambulance service or fire department will facilitate the evacuation.The grasslands at the top of Weir Hill would likely be the best helispot. E: MEDICAL FACILITIES Mass General Hos M Lawrence General Nos ital 55 Fruit St.,Boston,MA 02114 1 General Street Distance Approximately 30 miles Lawrence.MA 01841 Estimated Travel Time 36 minutes Distance Approximately 3,5 miles (617)726-3712 Estimated Travel Time 8 minutes (978)683-4000 Page 17 of 58 I l FThe Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 W Lawrence ER from Stevens St.Parking Lot vE r,D:tA t)Is,15 r► 7. Keep right to continue on Exits 44-456,follow Take Osgood St to MA•125 N/MA-133 E signs for Marston Street/interstate 495 2 m1q{0.7 S/Merr€mack Street m1) t 1. Mead north on Stevens St toward Osgood St 0_2 m1 ' 8. Keep left at the fork to stay on Exits 44-4513,follow f 2. Continue straight onto Osgood 5t 0.2 ml signs for Marston St and merge onto Marston St 0.51711 9. Slight right toward Prospect St rs 3. Turn right onto MA-125 N/MA-133 E 20sl02 210 r1 t` 10. Continue onto Prospect 5t rn�) o2m1 h 4. Turn left onto Chadwick St Drive to your destination 1 mtn(U MI) 58s(161 ft) Continue on Sutton St.Drive from Exits 44-458 and Marston *1 11• Turn left St to Lawrence se ft '1 12. Turn left 4m'n{2.1 m} '1 5. Slight left onto Sutton St 95 ft h 6. Turn right onto the 1.495 ramp 0,6 ml Lawrence General Hospital:Emergency Room t C ereraE St,La.w nt:�,N1A 0 184 1 e3ml ELEMENT 14: A: PLANNED LOCATION TEST FIRE The test fire will be initiated in the unit on the downwind side unless otherwise determined by the burn boss. The test fire will be in representative fuels,with the burn not continuing beyond the test fire phase until the burn boss has determined that an accurate representation of expected fire behavior has been demonstrated. The burn will not continue unless objectives can be met and the burn can be conducted within prescription limits in a safe manner. B: TEST FIRE DOCUMENTATION Weather conditions during the test fire will be recorded and added to the prescribed fire report package, upon completion of the test fire,an announcement will be made to the crew stating whether the burn will continue or be shut down. This announcement should be documented in the burn day event log or by some other means. ELEMENT 15: All elements in the Ignition Plan may be adjusted by the burn boss to meet given conditions. The adustment must be of PL type AN that will not affect the complexity of the burn and will be documented in the prescribed fire plan. A: IGNITION STAFFING • 1 Ignition Boss 1 Prescribed Burn Crew Firefighter Type I • Firefighter Type 2 B: FIRING DEVICES • Drip Torches Fusees • Launched Flares .• Hand thrown Flares Other Devices as Needed and Directed by the Firing or Burn Boss Page 18 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 C: FIRING METHODS Firing will be executed in a manner that meets bum and resource burn potential,management orching nelareholding lines,and spoil ngldistance, safe holding operations.Firing methods should minimize p Additionally,when using strip head firing,circular firing,and ring firing patterns,care should be taken so as to maximize the e holding in ability of wildlife to escape direct impact from flaming fronts ignitionattane anolthe�rThetamolunk of area actions �tignlited at time resources and the burn boss so that operations do not negatively p should be limited to reduce smoke production and allow for shutdown if smoke impacts occur.Where feasible,ignitors avoid lighting fire that will carry into stone walls.Stone walls can smolder producing smoke into the night. D: FIRING TECHNIQUES . Circular firing for completion of the unit after downwind • Backing and/or flanking fire on holding lines. g portions have been burned out. • Head firing using single or multiple strip or dot fires, E: FIRING SEQUENCES • Establish blackline on the downwind lines. As blackline is extended on the downwind lines,commence interior ignition. • Continue creating blackline on the downwind lines and igniting the interior until the majority of the unit is complete. • Ensure that the upwind line is not ignited until interior ignition crew is out and the downwind holding line is secure. • Continue until the unit is completed. F: FIRING PATTERNS On the downwind lines,establish black that is adequately wide(at least 10 feet)to stop a head fire when used in • combination with the hard breaks(fire breaks devoid of burnable material)or soft breaks(fire breaks that contain burnable material). Ensure that fire intensity near holding lines is sufficient to minimize the potential of re-bum. • Extend fire into the unit from the black using appropriate firing techniques. Extend black along holding lines and continue igniting interior progressively as holding lines are completed. • of the downwind Ensure that! erffectior sn may exagge ate does not pogress fastertwind effects oln fie behaviorBoth windholdand ing slope must be In areas slope k Y considered when igniting. Complete the unit by ringing the final portion. Other techniques or strategies may be used to achieve objectives at the discretion of the burn bass or firing boss HOLDING PLAN ELEMENT 16. All elements in the Holding Plan may be adjusted by the burn boss to meet given conditions. The adjustment must be of a type that will not affect the complexity rating of the burn and will be documented in the prescribed fire plan. A: HOLDING STAFFING 4 or more Prescribed Burn Crew 2 Holding Bosses Firefighter Type 2 Firefighter Type 1 B: HOLDING EQUIPMENT &WATER RESOURCES Water sources will be identified on the day of the prescribed burn. At a minimum,the nearest operational water source and the travel time and route will be identified in the crew briefing. Type Engine 1 Drip TorchlHolding Team • 1 Type 7 Engine tlTVlHolding Team 2 Backpack Pumps/Holding Team • Miscellaneous Hand Tools/Holding Team • 1 Portable Pump(Available to be Set-up) C: HOLDING PROCEDURES The development of the downwind balding line will be the basis for the speed of the operation. Holding teams will coordinate with each other and the ignition team to avoid negative impact on adjacent resources. Spot fires and slop-overs will be suppressed using direct attack. The downwind holding line crew will be responsible for establishing black to improve the line. Page 19 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 FD: CRITICAL holding line crew will only ignite on their line when it will not negatively impact the other holding team or the .Careful coordination with the ignition team will be executed whenever igniEing. OLDING POINTS &ACTIONS patrol for possible spot fires is required, g on soft breaks(fire breaks that contain burnable material),care should be given to ensure that fire on the fine does not rekindle or creep across the line. • Holding against the buffer strip surrounding the burn unit.Fire behavior may be greater in the buffer than in the unit. • Periodic smoke patrols must be present. If smoke is heavily impacting roadways or neighborhoods,tactics must be adjusted or fire shut down. • Fire should be excluded from stone waifs where feasible.Fire in stone walls can smolder producing smoke into the night. ELEMENT 17; CONTINGENCY PLAN Trigger Point Action Needed Multiple Spot Fires Adjust ignition and increase downwind patrolling or shutdown. Slop-over Suppress slop-over and shutdown burn if necessary. Minor injury Assign first aid first responder to victim,identify source of in'ury,and shutdown burn if re aired. Significant Injury Assign first aid first responder to victim,identify source of injury,activate EMS,and shutdown burn. Report of Critical Smoke Sensitive Area Being Impacted Adjust ignition and monitor results;shut down burn if re iufred. Smoke Impacting Roadway Smoke signs will be deployed. Ignition patterns adjusted or burn will be shut down. Law enforcement contacted if needed. Wind Shift Determine if the bum should continue or be shut down. If the burn continues gust hold in and ignition tactics as needed, Objectives Not Being Met Adjust ignition or shut down burn. Unit is No Longer Within Prescription Prescribed fire operations will cease and the dire will be $u 1ressed or managed to reduce and/or mitigate hazards. Escape Fire Notify the fire department,shutdown the prescribed burn, and su ress the escape, ELEMENT 18: WILDFIRE CONVERSION PLAN A: WILDFIRE CRITERIA The burn boss will consider the prescribed fire an escape when fire leaves the unit and one or both of the following conditions exist: • The fire has exceeded or is expected to exceed on-site initial attack capabilities. • The fire has exceeded the property boundaries or is expected to exceed those boundaries. B: ESCAPED FIRE INCIDENT COMMAND The senior Fire Department officer,or DCR Fire Control officer,or other mutual aid designee will serve as the Incident Commander(IC)in the event of an escape unless otherwise pre-arranged,if no Fire Department is present,the burn boss will serve as the IC until relieved.Upon the Fire Department assuming command the burn boss will immediately n transitio all command authority to the IC,provide as much pertinent information as possible,confirm accountability of all prescribed fire Page 20 of 58 i The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 resources,and announce the transition to the prescribed burn crew.The burn boss will assign a liaison from the burn crew to the IC and designate a supervisor in charge of the prescribed burn crew to direct suppression actions by the prescribed burn crew incoordination and under the direction of the lC.The burn bass can serve in any one of these two capacities or may perform the tasks of both positions—as directed by the IC, C: NOTIFICATION5 Emergency:911 Emergency 911 Cell:(978)289-0394 North Andover Fire Chief William McCarthy cell:(508)922 5654 DCR Forest Fire Ctrl,Dist,5 Andy Regen D: INITIAL ATTACK CONTINGENCY LINES Fire behavior outside the unit is generally expected to be lower than inside the unit.If the fire poses a risk of leaving the property,direct attack should be used if possible. If the fire is in a neighboring subunit and indirect attack may be used if deemed the best option by the burn boss,Water is the contingency line for much of the area. forth:Fuels are low north of the unit(TL2).Trails may be used as holding lines. East:Fuels are low east of the unit(TL2).Trails may be used as holding lines or the lake beyond. South:The lake to the south is the contingency line. West:Stevens Pond is the contingency area to the west.Stevens St.and the residential areas east of Stevens St.are the contingency breaks to the west. E: EXTENDED ATTACK ACTIONS The Incident Commander will be in charge of all extended attack activities. The prescribed burn crew will assist and report to the IC through the chain of command established during the incident. If possible,a staffed staging area should be established. The following are general tactical recommendations that should be considered in the event of an escape: North:Extended attack to the north is Edgewood Drive and the areas around the Edgewood LifeCare community. East:If fire spotted over the lake,it would be engaged with direct attack.Access would be south on Stevens St.,left onto Pleasant St.and stay left onto Great Pond Rd.Structure protection would be priority. South: If fire spotted over the take,it would be engaged with direct attack.Access would be south on Stevens St.,left onto Pleasant St,and stay left onto Great Pond Rd.Structure protection would be priority. West:West of the property are neighborhoods and a Trustees owned field.Fire in the field should be kept off of properties on Harkaway Rd.and contained within the open areas. ELEMENT 19: SMOKE & AIR QUALITY MANAGEMENT A: COMPLIANCE Neighbors shall be notified of the prescribed burn activities by stgnage,and mass communication to members. •• Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection(DEP)notification of intent to bum prior to ignition. • Email notification to DEP is to take place prior to ignition but not greater than 48 hours prior to ignition. The notification shall be emailed to Susan Ruch and Karen Golden Smith at susan,rurh anstaie.ma.us and karen. olden smlth((_r state^ma-uS. No burning if ozone AU is predicted to be greater than 50,PM 2.5 AQI is predicted to be greater than 75,and/or a Red Flag Warning has been posted. en the hours of 9:D0 am through 5:00 pm with all burns being in burn down mode All ignitions will be conducted betwe between 5:00 pm and 9:00 am,unless otherwise authorized. • The DEP permit is renewed every year. The current permit should be reviewed for additional criteria andlor any changes to criteria from the time of the preparation of this prescribed burn plan. Page 21 of 58 l The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 FPermit h Andover Fire Department(see notifications for contact information)etts Department of Environmental Protection(DEP)Northeast Regional Office—Air Quality Permit st be approved by MassWildlife Natural Heritage&Endangered Species Program. ithin the wetland buffer,North Andover Conservation Commission must approve activities. • Permission to burn from North Andover Fire Department. C: SMOKE SENSITIVE AREAS Smoke management methods from'Managing Smoke at the Wildland—Urban Interface"were used to identify the following Smoke Sensitive Areas, When using this method,the maximum burn size is 50 acres at any one time. The 500'and three%4 distance buffers of the 0.75, 1.0, 1.5-mile buffers are used for daytime burning and the three(0,75, 1 A and 1.5-mile)full distance buffers are used to identify potential low visibility impact if the unit smolders during nighttime conditions. For 20-foot winds less than 5 mph,Smoke Sensitive Areas were identified with projections from the extreme edges of the unit in all directions because all wind directions are allowed,Additional smoke sensitive receptors were identified based on VSmoke- Web smoke dispersion modeling. Daytime Sensitive Areas 500'Buffer �^ Smoke Sensitive Areas fall within the 500'initial buffer. • Stevens St.to the west • Pleasant St.to the southwest of 0,75-Mile Buffer Smoke Sensitive Areas fall within the%of 1.0-mile buffer for the 61 to 70 Dispersion Index buffer. • See 500-foot daytime buffer list • Apartments on Harkaway Rd.to the west • Osgood St.to the west • Meadows Health Center to the north • Great Pond Rd.(Hwy 133)to the southeast %4 of 1.0-Mile Buffer Smoke Sensitive Areas fall within the of 1.5-mile buffer for the 51 to 60 Dispersion Index buffer. • See%of 0,75-mile daytime buffer fist • North Andover High School to the northwest • Housing developments south of Great Pond Rd. '/4 of 1.5-Mile Buffer Smoke Sensitive Areas fall within the%of 2.0-mile buffer for the 41 to 50 Dispersion Index buffer. • See'/4 of I.0-mife daytime buffer list Nighttime Sensitive Areas 500'Buffer Smoke Sensitive Areas fall within the 500'Initial buffer. • Stevens St.to the west • Pleasant St.to the southwest 0.75-Mile Buffer Smoke Sensitive Areas fall within the 500-feet buffer. See 500-foot nighttime buffer list • Prescott House care facility to the northwest • Ashland Farms at North Andover care facility to the northwest • Meadows Health Center to the north • North Andover Middle School to the west • Kittredge School to the west • Atkinson School to the west • Great Pond Rd.(Hwy 133) • Rolling Ridge Conference Center to the northeast 1-Mile Buffer Smoke Sensitive Areas fall within the 0.75-mile buffer for the 61 to 70 Dispersion Index buffer. • See 0.75-mile nighttime buffer list Page 22 of 58 1 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Smoke Sensitive Areas fall within the 1.0-mile buffer for the 51 to 60 Dispersion Index buffer. 1,5-Mlle Buffer . See 1-mile nighttime buffer list • Thomson School to the west . St.Michael Elementary School to the west . Franklin School to the south • Annie L Sargent School to the south . Lawrence Municipal Airport to the north . Brooks School to the northeast Other Smoke Sensitive Receptors L15 Interstate 495 to the west D: SMOKE MANAGEMENT &MITIGATION General mitigation practices: • A general area-wide notification should be made via a radio,print announcement,telephone calls,or press release in local paper. • All neighbors within 500-foot smoke buffer will be individually contacted using phone call,letter,in person visit,or door hanger.(see Appendix A:Daytime Smoke Buffers) • Occasional smoke patrols will be in place for downwind roadways and residential areas, • Maintain communications with fire departments in expected smoke shed. • Burn with conditions favorable to lift and dispersion. • Create a strong convective column to lift smoke above surrounding receptors, • Dilute smoke by burning only a portion of the unit it lift and dispersion are not favorable for the entire unit. • Dispatch smoke patrols in areas that could be impacted and if impacted evaluate need to shutdown burn. • Minimize overnight smoldering to avoid possible fog associated with burning near the coast. • Do not burn if the predicted nighttime Low Visibility Occurrence Risk Index is 7 or greater unless 100%mop-up is possible. If residual smoke is present at dusk,monitor throughout the night all Smoke Sensitive Areas and be prepared to mitigate impacts. Do not burn under an Air Quality Action Alert day, hould be checked for dry fuel depth and residual smoldering If KBDI is over 100,project fuels and debris plies s potential prior to burn. MONITORING ELEMENT 20! All monitoring outlined may be adjusted by the burn boss to meet given conditions. The adjustment must be of a type that will not affect the complexity rating of the burn and will be documented in the prescribed fire plan. A Fire Weather Observer or Fire Effects Monitor assigned to the burn will use a prescribed burn eventlweather form will be used to document fuels,weather,fire behavior,smoke dispersal,and burn severity information for the prescribed fire. A: FUELS INFORMATION At a minimum,fine dead fuel moisture will be calculated. Downed dead fuel moistures for 1, 10,and 100-hour fuels may be measured using a ad fuel m st(if available)periodically during the burn. The KBDI for the previous day will be calculated il and May foliar moisture content for pitch pine for the previous day prior to ignition.Additionally,for the period of late Apr should be calculated if burning in a pitch pine unit. g: WEATHER MONITORING Weather will be recorded prior to the test fire. Fire weather will be recorded every 60 minutes or as directed by the burn boss. Before the test fire is ignited,probability of ignition should be calculated and should be re calculated periodically through the burn,if conditions change. Page 23 of 58 l: I; The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 FIRE BEHAVIOR MONITORING Flame length,rate of spread,and residence time should be estimated hourly and recorded by fuel type. photos of fire behavior should be taken periodically with the approximate location and direction recorded. Representative before and after photos should be taken. D: C:FMEASURING OBJECTIVES A burn summary will be completed by the burn boss using information compiled from burn day records. Burn severity index will be completed by designated crew members for interpretation and incorporation in the summary prepared by the burn boss. The summary will evaluate the success of each prescribed burn objective as related to prescribed fire operations. E: SMOKE DISPERSAL Communication should be maintained with the local fire departments to ascertain if receptors are being impacted by smoke, If concerns of negative smoke impacts arise,a smoke monitor will be dispatched to check potential problem areas and inform the burn boss and the fire effects monitor of conditions. ELEMENT 9,1. POST-BURN ACTIVITIES All post-burn activities may be adjusted by the burn boss to meet given conditions. The adjustment must be of a type that will not affect the complexity of the burn and will be documented in the prescribed fire plan. • An After Action Review should be conducted with the crew. • The unit needs to be checked every day between 1100 and 1400 by a fire-trained person until an appreciable rain event and/or the burn boss declares the unit is 100%out. If KBI)l exceeds 200 or dry conditions occur immediately following the burn,the frequency of checks should be increased. • The burn day summary(Fire Summary Report)should be completed within 30 days by the Bum Boss. • The burn file should be assembled and filed by Trustees Page 24 of 58 ll ,• A2 dy1 e N 1,CC,111ACV�S a 3)IRECTSON '�Q7 1RA�a"37 DAiI Wesel 1IYiac,,•''27R model o71:t��74.H.., ..., :. "DATU4A'43 J 1 \ 4�S14e91!^ �f �tC RI Jt 4` 51-1 rl f 4 � , l � f a r '✓' Y r ,� - _ 7 Pr �S ' e '� }x _s 1•f.:Y �u '.{ ` �„�.� d s 3 1 � � ✓ a. y r.kl.q'i '•, .. J'.,... 2.,20-03-20 Weir Hill 32:57:2D R.k&P deir Hill 1 1 • • 69J AbRECIIGI�' 92 f+9 N ACCURACY DAT[Rl 3M5 I ss DIRECTIQN '42 G9S3G°17` ACCURA.CY S m 37 deg p7l 333U3 .. e1 262'deg(T) 07f.10742`7n DATUfk-6lG5R4 n % �yl� AJ ;Ht4�'V �' a" '�i ✓ a Z I N I S 4 A Y (a^n,+ "� Orr + 441 a +r! l F R � Y r✓a f,-k: ,a� ,ar ��s �� z, 5� t �.�� • ��y�"m�'a.r �yy', ^+., �''1 ��x �' i�aY Ry, � .Y r�n� , A'elr Hill "M N CC WA 1� 11:2i:3G-C:d:03 • • OI HECI CP3 A2 6899E°N - `1411GR efCarY 1C0Tri;. . _AZ AWN,, j' DATIR�iRi M0 W'ACCV r 071 010t"h DA,�TlII,VIGS94IPA ! \ tk �;•Q rP� `}J�122 '� `55dcg'(T' �•:� It - Y )��' t►` ;�a��4ba' 1% ll {¢ 1 � 7� ,IYr' ,»p.. l ' #:yea y , 9 'r •ll! rr r !.ltl E: + { t n4 1 s,� iLyi, tt Y 1 ,� t; r r 2 f.y t � r _�? a1� 'r�'" `i r.;b'`,i � a k�.�-.r � 55�•r�, Z �wIF - - - 2f:24 01 20 wif Hill 11:12.21-41A:0 Wei. Hill ]0:d&:19-3NU0 r • The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 APPENDIX B: MAPS The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation N 5F Prescribed Burn Plan Firebreak and Unit Map tAc. 2 6 Ac. y y� 6 7:Ao. 7f Ac. 7A Lr 2Ao. 30 6Ao. 7B 6Ao. 6 1 Aa. dq 3 A°. 90 dp 4B 1 Aa, 8 Legend 0 0,125 0.25 0.5 Miles Trustees Property Boundary Firebreak type and Access r 4. Burn Units O00Op Stone Watfs Water sources `�� ga�� lq ` F , TurnArounds �p�'� � �" c�1'� � i s+ C) staging Areas �C�' -,,,A PP >ecnr.0 Wry "I.—rapk'-N ;�;iVBr#iledsf pirp�vY. �<=s�r,+�s,Hcrrµ y,z,us.[sat ,�,.,�.,.,,« us<s t�,.Y_usGs a,p sic uarNa[sA LCV.; Page 26 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 r,r '~ 3 E The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation -a Prescribed Burn Plan k Topographic Map r I x Yy � � y �k r t a { a ;< r t � � r TB gz s sv � r ft i x y� �r a a y Legend 0 0,125 0.25 0.5 Mites Trustees Property Boundary ryhy 4�r`ottheas! CD Burn Units 3bkn6au��epl or{u.ndryddrriorc,Fa pb*siry psp�ar�' 3cu,cec Tlru TMris s,NE FFIA.AIxvGi3.C57(Hatui3Cs��g'��r,LIRF+9 k��q.ltYh b�ga,�ic flay ra F+Qk t]OAapa Page 27 of 58 i The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 f The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation Prescribed Burn Plan Fuel Model Map ER woo kYJk 4 : o 7H ^ 7 Y7 'v EW HERE 6ermb>� r '` �* "`telfinel G a hio;Esr ?,. N?AA.y HERE; ye ; °ME71. CAN, EBCO, �. .-lSOAA,NQemenlPG �. � .v�- Legend 0 0,125 0.25 o.s nriirss Trustees Property Boundary Fuel Models Burn Units ;< ." Northeast Page gior bo:ndrydUnt'o+es Fa ghmiig P+A�vi�. 5w.<c€71v 7uskns.11E rtAl�lirsGl�,E54Lt1aG�+3 flu p+atleai far_" _.•�•�f�_•r:T.�+_i.+ Jvyfk.119'�.5 liV F'1'.1/".,ti3 Tgp$a�iC I iPA Y3 C$31 U^.a!{Tq;w Page 28 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation N Prescribed Burn Plan y Area Map 1�� l�L�y� S�rA �� `r �€ '�tlsls��✓�',�,��' �� q. � �� r " # �„ �,; ti a��,�.r.Z�WT�i� _ ��.. ¢ - ^" S ,�� fir'- ��1✓ ,.j,�.a v'�� '" / �"��+ H91 � s ✓ '�' r ''' e �' Wyk d y, ��'�i � .-�,�, ii' I � :� .1 � � .,,y 'e �y.�?"��'��'�,�r":"" i x r `4 r.^J > r�yY'-^s�..✓ /'' �� 'y. / v $^ �< �� ' rI1tO1f G .� �zk, �, �,�� ,��, ✓,a-,v '�� H� x�^ �"'� �� =3�"� ;� s y d d s y ,,� ,#Y .r r, ::,��s r.,.�'� 1",r-`a ,�.�z'n'` �✓`5�„ ��'y�:yr' "a .�-;.' ? r r��"`331 '-� a^ A w" ""� - i > ✓s a J'` z �� .r^'{, ,,,tea ° - .,��' y� tr.� �" a pds r ,y✓/'' SP✓ ',.� rases "- r� '� 1,1fellEe�IC+1 7 s 'a,wr cc��Fz �3�� 2.5 5 111 Miles Legend Trustees Property Boundary Burn Units Page1bib 6a��11zkg[urlan3ryddr�iurd.fw NSmn�N+D�=�'1! ^uwcus.Tra T�.+skas.11E ffli.klza4l9.ESAI.11a[m36aag'asf�c.ll�✓+'� 1*�A=1'.O�'S Rgoga�c Ua��=a LS�I UGhTap, Page 29 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation N Prescribed Burn Plan Daytime Smoke Buffers .. t f. tr J 4 i s Far, r z (# r� �rrn n Jv� l�tirl� TWO J r tiS I ' / ,�.3al(In 5€ Esr HERE,6ermh,iW b trns_ - F�$� _ mnGibura5 rdelimaf G re ar htc, r� Gmim HERE ONEP w hiC C1$GS rJASA E5A MET€:rrRCJ;Fr;GGE9Co.......- R �' \ .NQlui, emenr P Cp 'Jx. � 0 0 25 0.5 1 Miles Legend Smoke m2risgenient meiods fro El Trustees Property Boundary Smoke sensitive Receptors 'Managing Smoke at heOWi dlandm Urban interface, Daytime Smoke Buffers ® Hospitals were used to identifythe following Smoke p Sensitive Areas.Mart using this method, IRS Bum Units �,�� Community Health Centers the maximum burn size is 50 acres at anyone time. S00 Foo#Buffer The 500'and three%distance buffers of he Longterm Care Facilities 0.75, 1.0 and 1.5 mile buffers are used for daytime burning and the three(0,75. 1.0 and 1.5 mile) 1/4 Of 0.75-Mlie Buffer A Schools full distance buffers are used to identif " 114 of i,4-Mile Buffer low visibility impact if the unit smolders y potential Colleges during nighttime conditions. 1/4 of 1.5-M Ile Buffer Airports ti�i*Northeast Ft+l Ya ha�;ai Ja'cgior r+a:ndryd{niures.ry pL:rlii9R Pax mY. 9 cex Fro 7usaas,HE ifµ lfasGIS,ES.;Illafv,y Gc Prnf�red©r: ..E,i. _.-..1'r..:.r•..^uf, TW.V V.Pr.ES11 Wrnom .— Page 30 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation N S Prescribed Burn Plan Nighttime Smoke Buffers z aim Feu9 cg( Ao IM a IeY I, ra4rj ' r r �� :x ` 1��F�"sU, rip�poutr�tars Tda"t€o,n�Geaersphl�Esri, Germ3n,F! 'il EI?'irirCM �33 6A NAsA riAr:Tl rrRGAPE L3Eac0 �i a 11tlAA jn' 4 �r r L�€spe z dsnlP+GsfF � 0 0 5 1 2 Miles Legend Smoke management methods from ED Trustees Property Boundary Smoke SertsitiVe Receptors 'Managing Smoke at the Witdland—Urban Interface' Hospitals were used to identifythe following Smoke Nighttime Smoke Buffers ® P ilals Sensitive Areas.When using this method, :. � Community Health Centers the maximum burn size is 50 acres at any one time. Burn Units .i The 500'and three%distance buffers of the 544 Foot Butter Longterm Care Facilities burn, and mile buffers are used for daytime L burningg and the three(burn,1.4 and 1.5 mile) 0.75-Mlle Butter ,u Schools full distance buffers are used to identify potential Colleges low visibility impact if the unit smolders 1.4-Mile Buffer g during nighttime can ditiGns. 1.5-Mile Buffer Alrports ,;fit Northexs! y„ ri,lblw ur.�l:r:a�uv lvridTVduFniores.is p5mi�g p+p sos4' �+crc:Trw 7,s+sta a.tlC rr11.41mG19,E571.H�Lm3Gcg1�3s,�.1lrG3 hsg:ry.V��'r:8�r�ic Al�p�v C5AI 11�� Page 31 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 The Trustees Weir Hill Reservation N r Prescribed Burn Plan VSmoke-Web Projections ��'0 tj @ r 1 ter z� 0 ti • E a0d �t 4 �, ` Esri,HERE,C3'ermn ZI MVP _ Id QRErtSFreelAlap mntr icrs rtattrnel GeagrEiplt(c Earl`: l ,, -6ermin Hi:kE,UNEP•YJCIiC U565,ftASA.ESA rfEii,HitCAff,pEBCO ttOPA.erderrieniPCcrp;`,' Legend 0 0.25 0.5 1 Mites Trustees Property Boundary Smoke Sensitive Receptors Burn Units Hospitals Potential Health Impacts(AQI Value) 1 Community Health Centers Moderate-51 to 100 [49 Longterm Care Fac]litfes Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups-101 to 150 A Schools VSmoke-Web used for smoke impact projections. _-;_;_...I Unhealthy-151 to 200 Colleges Inputs:15 acres;6 hours;3 tonsfacre; Very U nhealthy-201 to 300 70%consumed; 1,500 it mixing freight; Airports 10 mph transport winds; ffm Hazardous-301 to500 Stability Class--Moderately Unstable ?bib b.-W w'W Wbr re`: toriireast �yd�fnt'ores ro flb'nnBprPa-'c5 of . R�L[el©i. '7,r, i.,sr.u,.,�n,aric � Sa+^ez Tln Turccs,NE rrA(II.mGl7,C.S,7l'1a[vr3 Gaalv�c.N4^n9 kvg:y.E1�9 Tcpoga�'c Flapra CS31 r��;cr Page 32 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 APPENDIX C: FIRE BEHAVIOR & SMOKE MODELING DOCUMENTATION 1: FIRE BEHAVIOR(ROS & FL) Fire Behavior, L0wLoad. Very Coarse, Humid Climate Grass'DJ GR3[143/ Held Constant ON Fuels at 10%, 700H FueIS at 1245,3056 Live Fuel Molsrure/Herbaceous& WoodyJ and Oita Slope[Run in BEHAVEPLUS V.505] Flame Len h'#t Head Fire Surface Rate of`S read ch hr -sHead Fire Mldrl�mendspeed jmphJ Midflame wind Speed m7phJ 1 hr T-hr Moisture o 1 2 3 4 5 G 7 8 9 10 11 12 Moisture o FTF2 3 4 5 G 7 8 9 JD 11 12 4 3 14 Z9 46 64 83 T03 124 745 167 189 21z 23S 4 Z 4 6 7 8 9 ID 1T 12 IZ 7-774 15 5 3 13 z7 4Z 54 76 94 113 732 152 172 193 2T4 5 2 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 77 Iz IZ T4 13 6 2 i 12 25 39 54 7D Sb 103 1Z'I`. 139 158 177 I96 6 2 4 5 6 7 $ 9 4 1D 11 J2 12 13 7 Z 1 1 23 36 50 f 4 8D ,i 96. 11 Z 129 146 163 181 7 2 3 5 6 7 7 8 9 1 D 10 11 11 12 104 IZO 136 I52 169 8 2 3" "4 5 , ;b 8 9 IO !O 11 1I 9 Z."' 1 D 20 31 44 5b 7D $4 98 113 128 743 159 9 1 3 4 5 b 7 8 8 9 9 10 !0 I I JO Z' ..9.: 79 30 41 53 bS :. 79 9.3 107 721 136 14B 10 1 3 4; 5 b 7 7 g 9 9 10 lO 11 11 Z 9 !1$ Z$ 39 51 63 7b g9 102 1I6 129 138 f1 7 3 4` 5 "i6 S : 7 $ $ 9 9 10 TO 27 38 49 50 : 73 85 98 111 124 J31 i2 1 3. 4 5 b b 7 7 . $ `- 9 9 J3 2 8 17 26 36 47 58 70 82 94 107 !19 124 13 I 3 4 5 5 6 7 7 8 8 9 9 10 14 2 8 16 ZS 35 45 56 67 79 9I /03 115 JT9 14 I 3 4 5 6 7 7 5 8 8 9 9 9 - Rate of;S read ch` hr -Backin Fife Surface Flame 1119 th. ft -Backin Fire 1 hr Midflame>�nd Speed fmphJ J4rr Midflame w1ndSpeed jmphJ Moisture o J 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 fo if 12 Moisture o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 f0 J 1 12 4 3 4 4 5 5 5 5 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Z Z 5 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 3 5 Z Z 2 Z 2 Z Z 2 2 2 2 z Z z 2 4 3 3 3 6 2 2 Z Z Z Z � r2 "" 2"- Z Z 7 Z' 3 3 2" Z 8 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 9 Z Z 2 2 z 2 Z 2 2 2 3 2 2 2 2 2 Z Z 2i 2 2 Z 2 13 Z Z 2 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 2 Z 2 13 1 1 Z 2 2 Z 2 2 2 2 2 Z Z f4 Z 2 2 3 3 3 Z Z 2 2 Z 2 2 14 1 1 2 Z 2 Z 2 2 2 Z 2 z 1 Page 33 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Fire Be OH ViOr,-Moderate Load Dry Climate Grass Shrub JDJ GS211221 Held Constant 1 Fuels at 10% IOOHFuels at 120 3f1%Jive FuelMoisture lHe�aceous& L�/aodyJ and 04b SJape[Run in BEH.9 I/EPLUS v 5.0.4J Surface Rate of S read ch hr -Head Fire rMMe°Len Length ft -Head Fire 7�r Midflame�ndSpeed/mphJ Moisture 0 1 2 3 4 5 f Midflame MrndSpeed[mphj G 7 8 9 f0 7 f 12 Nlaiststure 0 1 2 3 4 S' 6 7 8 9 1D 11 72 4 3 8 lb Z7 40 54 70 8b 104 123 744 165 186 4 z 3 5 6 7 8 9 10 II Iz I3 74 15 5 z 7 15 z6 38 5I 66 SZ 99 178 137 157 178 5 2 3 5 6 7 8 9 !0 71 12 13 13 74 G Z' 7 75 "25 36 49 G4 79" 95 113 13! I51 171 6 7 2+ 7 I4 Z4; 35 47 61 ' 76" 92 I09 IZ6 145- 164 8 6 T 7 2 3 4' 6 7 8' 4 9 t0'I JI Iz l3 13 2' 4 23''. 34" 46 59 73 :' 104 12I 139 158 8 9 2 3 4 5 ' 6 7 8 9 70, II Iz Iz 13 2 4 7 3 22 f 32 43 S6 70 84 99 I16 132 150 9 2 3 4' 5 b 7'' 8 9 IO ' 10 1 1 IZ 12 1D 2 6 I2 20 30 41 53 65 7.9? 93 108 I24 14I /D II 12 12 7 7 72 86 100 114 I29 77 2" 11 2' S T 0 25 '34 43 S4_: .65! 77 89 102 116 12 .:! 13 I 4 9 14 ZI z9 37 46 55 66 76 87 99 13 J 6 7 8 8 9 9 10 14 0 1 2 3 5 5 5 5 5 5 S 5 5 14 O 2 1 ; 5 6 6 Surface Rate of Spread ch hr Baci n `fire 1 hr FJame'.Len h ft -Backin Fire Midflame l�ndSpeed/mphJ 1-hr Moisture 0 1 ,Z 3 4 5 6 7 g Midflame�ndSpeedJmph! 4 3 2 3 9 7D 77 72 Moisture 0 7 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Z 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 2 Z Z 2 Z 2 2 z 2 2 2 z Z 5 z 2 z 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 5 2 2 2 2 2 z 2 2 2 z Z 2 2 G 2 ' 2 2 2 3 3 3 s3 3i 3 3 3 3 d 7 2 Z 2 2 s 3 3 3 3 3i' 3 3 3 3 7 2 Z 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 Z Z Z 2 8 2 2 2 Z 2 3 3 3 3:: 3 3 3 3 8 z J Z " 2 2 2 2 Z Z...' 2 2 2 z 9 Z Z 2 2 2 2 2 3 3 3 3 Z Z Z Z Z 71 2 I 2 2 2 2' 2 t 2 2 z 2 2 Z 1 f 2 7 2 ''. 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 z z 2 .2;' . 2 2 2 Z 12 7 T 7 T 2" 2 2" z 2 Z 2 13 1 1 I -77 : 2 2 2 Z Z 2 2.2 2 14 0 0 0 O z 13 0 1 0 0 O 0 0 0 O O 14 0 0 0 0 O 0 0 0 0 0 O O D Page 34 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Fire Behauior�Moderate Load Humid Climate Shrub /SJ SH3 f143J Held Constant 1014 Fuels at JOio 100HFuels at 1235 3046 Live Fuel Moisture Her & I%ody/and DYo Slope[Run in LEHfi i/EPLUS v 50.41 Flame Len th ft -;Head;Fire Surface R ite of S read Ch hr -Head Fire Midflame fXrinc7Speed fmphJ T hr hlidflame lend Speed fmphJ 147r Moisture 0 1 2 3 4 S 6 7 8 9 10 71 12 Moisture 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 1 T 72 4 Z 7 14 21 Z9 38 47 56 66 76 86 97 108 4 4 6 8 !0 12 13 15 16 17 18 T9 Z0 71 5 2 7 13 Z1 29 37 46 55 651 75 85 45 1D6 5 4 6 8 10 IZ 13 14 16 17 18 19 20 21 G 2 ± 7 13 ZD Z8 36' 45 `;:54 b4 73 83 94 104 6 4 5 8 : 1D 11 13 14 i5' 17 IS 19 ZD ZI 7 2 ° 7._,. 1:3" 20 2S 3G 44 53 b3 72 82 9Z 1D2 7 g g ; 1 p j 7 13 14 15 1i 17 19 ZO 21 8 2 'r' 7 13 ZD 27 ,3S 43. s52 b]. ' 77 80 90 100 8 3 6 8 90. !1 12 14' .S 16 77 18 l9 ZO 9 2 6 IZ 19 Z7 34 43 '51 b0 69 79 88 98 4 3 b $ 9 11 12' 1 15 ...16.1. 1, 18 19 ZO 10 2. 6 . jZ 19. '26 34 4Z 5D 59 b8 77 86 96 I0 3 b 8 9 11 12 13 4 15 17 18 !8 19 1T 2 b 2 18 Z5 33 41 ;49 58 66 75 85 94 11 3 5 7 9 iD 12 13 14 15 Id I7 18 19 18.'. 2�.. 33 41. 49 57 66 75 84 94 12 3 5 7; 9 1 D- 12 13... 14 15 16 17 78 19 13 2 b IZ IS ZS 33 40 49 57 66 75 84 93 13 3 5 7 9 10 72 73 14 IS 16 17 IS 19 1. 14 Z 6 12 18 Z5 37 4n 48 57 66 74 84 93 14 3 5 7 9 70 12 13 14 15 Ib 17 18 19 FlameLen h ft Backin Fire Surface Rate of Spread: ch,hr ki -Bacn Fire M;df/ame�rrndSpeed fmphJ Midflame�ndSpeed fmphJ 1-hr 1 hr MOJsture 0 1 2 3 4 S G 7 8 9 TO 17 12 Moisture 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 1 8 9 10 11 12 4 Z 3 3 2 2 Z 2 Z Z Z 2 Z Z 2 2 4 4 3 3 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 S 2 Z 2 2 Z 7 2 Z Z Z 2 Z Z 5 4 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 2 2 7 2 Z 2 2 8 Z Z 2 2` Z... ;Z Z. Z �` 2 2 2 2 8 3 3 3 3 . 3 . . 3 3 9 2 Z Z 2 Z 2. Z-. 2 2 Z 2 Z 2 9 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 10 Z Z'r Z" Z 2 ' Z ' 2. 2 2 Z Z 10 3, 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 11 Z 2 2 2-; 2 2 2'` Z: 2: 2 2 2 2 11 3. 3 3 3 3 3 3. 3, 3 3 3 3 12 Z; Z 2 2: 2,4Z..: Z. 2 : Z l Z 2 2 12 3, 8 13 2 Z 2 Z 2 Z Z Z Z 2 2 Z Z 13 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 14 Z 2 Z Z Z 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 14 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Page 35 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Fire Behavior,-L0wLoad Humid Climate Timber-Shrub JSJ SH41144J Held Consran0 IOHFueIs at 109b IOOHFue/sac 1296 304'o Live Fue/Moisture fHerbaceous& LCroodyJ and 5 0%5lope[Run in BEHR vEpl v.5.0.4J Surface Rate of S read ch hr ;-Head Fire 1-hr Flame Len th ft -Head Fire Midflame f�ndSpeed jmphf 1-Irr Moisture p 1 2 3 4 5 Midflame�ndSpeed jmphf 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Moisture 0 1 2 3 4 S G I Z 3 4 5 G 7 8 9 10 11 17 7 $ 9 10 17 12 4 20 ZB 4O 55 72 9J I11 133 JS5 J80 205 731 258 3 6 8 9 10 11 13 14 IS 16 Ig JS 20 21 5 20 27 39 53 7D 88 IQ8 I29 `I51 175 199 274 251 G b 7 9 T,D; 11 12 1:4r 15 i16 I7 18 19 70 G T9 26 . 38 52 68 86, 105 !25" 147 770 194 219 244 7 6` 7 - 8. -1 U.; T 1 12 i 3:? I 5 .16' 17 18 19 ZO 7 i 9 26. 37 51 bfi .84 102 T22 44 166 789 213 238 14" f5` IG 17 18 8 7:8 ZS" 36 5D 65 :82 !DO I2p 14D= 162 785 209 233 19 g 9 18 25 35 49 fi4 :80 98`. 7T7 :f37 159 1B1 2O4 72B 10 6 7 8 9' !i i2 "i3 14 "1i5ti I6 I7 18 19 10 18 24 r 35 4$ 62 79; 9b !15 T35s 156 178 200 224 11 11 .77 Z4 :34 47 b1 77 94r I T3 132. 153 774 197 220 12 12 17 23 34 46 60 76 93 111 130 151 17Z 194 216 13 6 7 8 9 13 10 JI 12 73 J4 IS 16 17 18 17 23 33 45 59 75 92 109 128 148 169 191 2I3 14 6 6 8 4 10 11 I2 13 74 75 IG 17 18 Surface Rate of? read:(Ch.. r Baclun :Fire 1 hr Midflame Wind Flame':Len h: ft =Bcldn Fire Speed(mphj a Moisture 0 1-�hr 1 2 3 ¢ 5 G 7 Midflame�ndSpeed jmp `1 3 hi 8 9 10 11 12 Moisture 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 4 4 4 S 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 ¢ 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 G 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 S 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 6 4 3 3 3 "3 3. 3 3 3 3 8 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 ' 4 4 4 4 3 3 3 3 9 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 ? 4 3 4 4 4 3 9 3 3 3 3 10 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 ' 4 3 3 3 11 3 3 3 10 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3' 13 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 13 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 14 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 14 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 Page 36 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Fire Behavior.,Moderate Load, Humid Climate Timber Shrub TU2 1162J Held Constant. IOH Fuels at 104'a IOOH Fuels at 1246 30%live Fuel Moisture fHerbaceour� Flamf a Len Seth;ope`ft -Head pFl re 505] Surface Rate of-S readi ch' hr -Head Fire Midf/ame t nd Speed(mph/ Midflame Wind Speed(mphf 1 hr T-,frr Moisture Q 1 Z 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Moisture Q 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1Q T 1 63 4 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 d 6 7 7 8 8 4 6 7 10 14 78 22 27 32 38 44 50 56 63 S 5 7 9 13 16 21 25 30 35 41 47 53 59 S 3 3 3 4 4 5 5 6 6 b 7 7 8 i 56 6 6 b 2. t 5 19" .Z4 28 33 39 44 50 7 27 32 37 42 47 53 7 2 5"" 5 5 6 6 6 7 6 6 6 7 24 29 ' 33 38 43 48 9 Z„ ,Z 3 3 4 10 4 5 10" Y3 Th: 20 24 5 6 6" 28.: 32 36 41 46 10 2 2 3 3 11 4:::. "23 Z7 44 11 2 Z 3 3 3 4 ' 4 , 5 5 6 3 � 13 4 5 7 9 12 15 18 21 25 29 33 37 42 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 b 14 14 4 5 6 9 1I 14 17 21 24 28 3Z 38 47 2 2 3 3 3 lame len th f# Bacicin Fire F Surface Rate of;5 read ch hr -Baclvn F11'e Midflame L1ndSpeed(mpl7f Midflame 1ndSpeed(mph/ 1 fir 1 hr Moisture Q 1 Z 3 4 S 6 7 8 9 7107 T 1 12 Moisture Q 1 2 3 4 5 b 7 8 9 10 T 1 12 4 T 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 T T J 1 I 4 1 1 1 1 1 1 I I 7 1 1 1 r 5 1 1 1 I I 1 I 1 I 1 1 1 I 6 T> 1 7 9 1 ] ] i 10 �0 73 J 1 7 1 1 12 1 1 I 1 14 T 1 1 I 1 1 1 7 1 7 1 J I 1 1 1 T4 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 1 1 Page 37 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Fire Behavior,-L0wLoad Broad/eafLitter/SJ TLZ 1182J Held Constant IOH Fuels at!0% 100HFuelsat rZ%.3096 Live FuelMoisture(Herbaceous Surfacete o€S readch & Woody/and 4Ooo Slope Run in BEHAVEPLUS v 5.0.5j Ra hr Head Fire 7 hr Midf/ame WindSpeed(mphJ F�aflle Len th �# -Head:Fire Moisture D 7 2 3 4 7�hir Midf/ame 1ndSpeed/mphJ 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Moisture p 7 2 3 4 S 6 7 4 I I I I 2 Z 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 a 9 70 rr 12 5 1 1 1 1 Z Z Z Z 2 Z Z Z Z 5 I J 1 I I 1 1 I I ! I I I 7 1 7 `2 Z Z ,Z Z 7 1"^ 8 1; 1 i Z . .A 70 0 I 9 i. ' . I i 1 70 i 1 1' 12 0: 13 0 '1 J I l I I 7 1 73 O I 1 1 74 D ! 7 ! 1 I r ! J ! ! I ! ! ! ! ! I J 1 ! I 14 O 7 1 1 1 1 I I 1 I 1 1 1 Surface Rate of S read; ch hr I aJ7 i ;'Fire 1�r F1ai i e LenBacki Fire Midf/ame�ndSpeed/mphJ n Moisture O 7 2 3 4 5 1-hr Midf/ame f�ndSpeed jnnphj G 7' 8 9 10 17 12 Moisture `7 D O O D 0 O 0 O O D O O D O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 7Q 77 72 0 O 0 O O O D 0 4 ! 7 1 1 I 1 1 I I I I ! I O O O O 5 1 I 7 1 J I 1 1 I 1 7 1 1 G 7 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0: D 0 0 0 7 T 4.. 1 I J 1 1 J 8 0 0 0 0 : 0 0`:.': D O D D B i T 10 0 11 0 10 i 1 1 I I A. I <T T I 1 I r 0 12 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 Q 0'' 0 O O 0 T T 1 1 I I O O O 0 0 O 0 0 I 1 14 0 0 0 O O 0 13 ! J I I J 1 1 ! I 1 ! D O O O D O 0 14 J I 1 1 I I I 1 I 7 r 1 1 Page 38 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Fire Behalrio��Moderate Load Broadleaf Litter TL6 186J Held Constant'IOH Fuels at logy IOOH Fuels at 1296,3096 live Fuel Moisture(Herbaceous& iX/oodyJ and 4o%Elope[Run in BEHAVEPLUS v 5 0.51 Flame'Len th ft -Head Fire Surface Rate of Spread ch hr -Head Fire > Midflame W1ndspeed fmphJ Midflame wind Speed[mphJ 1 f1r 1-hr Moisture D 1 .Z 3 4 5 6 7 S 9 10 1 T 12 Moisture D 1 Z 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1 D 1 T 12 2 Z 2 3 3 3 4 ¢ 4 5 fi 5 6 4 3 3 4 6 7 9 11 13 16 IS ZI Z4 27 4 5 Z 3 4 5 7 8 10 IZ 74 17 19 21 24 5 Z 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 17 ZO 22 6 Z 2 Z 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 S 16 18 21 3 4 ."` 5 . 0 1„. 13 15 77 79 13 14 I6 T8 9 2- 2 10 2 . 2 3 4 5 & 7 9. i 0 ; IZ 14 4 4 4 11 2 ` 2 3 4 S 6 7 8 tb 11 13 4 6 7 8 7 U 17 14 IB 13 I Z 2 Z 2 Z 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 13 Z Z 3 3 4 1 5 17 8 9 14 Z 2 2 3 4 5 6 B 9 10 12 13 I5 14 I 1 2 Z 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 ;flame Len' h ft Baskin Fire Surface Rate of S read ch' hr -Backlrl :FjT. Midflame Wj-na5peC49(mphJ Midflame end Speed(mph/ l�hr 1-hr Moisture D r 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 T2 Moisture D T 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 1D 17 1Z 4 1 1 1 ] 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 I 1 4 O 0 O 0 n 0 0 O 0 0 0 0 0 5 1 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 I 1 1 1 1 6 7 0: D 0 fl 0 0 G. O s 0 g p. D 10 0 .0 0 0; Q. i T 1 1 I 11 0 Q D Q`. 0 ";0 0" D D ' 0 0 0 0 11 7 1 i 1 t 1 t'. 12 0 0 :' 0 . Q 0 fl 0 fl 0 0 0 0 0 13 1 1 1 1 1 1.3 a o o a a a o 0 o a a a o 14 0 o a o 0 0 0 0 0 o a o 0 14 7 1 1 1 I T 1 I 1 1 1 1 Page 39 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 Fboxes COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS xes in"Risk Rating Descriptors"are examples provided by NWCG of conditions that would meet the assigned risk level.They y descriptive of the site and should only be used as a reference to determine if the appropriate rating was assigned.Some n incomplete bullets because not all examples from the worksheet are listed in the prescribed burn plan. PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS-VALUES Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Category Quantity Significance Description On-Site The unit contains wetlands,critical habitat,and threatened species. V S4 Y�}�1Rg\`�yi j�CS3�f Mod t1 �d> e z Off-Site ` Roadways,schools,extended pre facilities are present within smoke buffers. Mod F i b £ } A The property is visited by public but will be temporarily closed and posted during Public/political Interest could impact the prescribed fire programs in the region.Impacts to threatened species ecies could mit future management optionsmmunity. Few Mod Page 40 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- PRELIMINARY RISK Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Preliminary Risk Rating Descriptors Element Risk • detailed briefings,with certain hazards requiring special caution. Safety issues are pronounced and require Safety •A small organization with a single branch results in modest exposure of personnel to hazards. •Adverse impacts to public health any are possible. d safety •At least one activity is low frequency/high risk. •Fatigue and extended exposure to hazards are anticipated. Mod •The unit contains considerable slope which could impactfre behavior and vehicletravel. •rcks present in the area. •Some areas have rollover porerntial. •Fuels vary within the unit,both in loading and arrangement. •Fire behavior may present control challenges that are easily mitigated. Fire Behavior -Medium.fuel loadings with some high concentrations are present. •Variable terrain features may significantly affect fire behavior and present moderate ignition and control problems_ •Local winds and burning conditions may vary enough to cause shifts in fire be that briefly exceed modeled fire behavior and threaten :Mod •Excessive frre behavior could cause spot fires. •Torching pitch pine can cause long range spotting. Project debris can smolder. •Fast moving foe in grasslands_ •scrub oak and coppice oaks could cause spotting. reeping each comprising small areas that are •Ranges from no potential to a likelihood of few mechanisms such as spot fires,stopovers or fire c Resistance to readily detected,accessed,and controlled by holding resources available on the prescribed fire. •No ladder fuels or concentrations are near critical holding points. Containment -Ignition procedures do not create intense fire behavior. •Probability of ignition in fuels outside the unit is low. •Crown fire potential is fairly low. •Fuels outside the unit are generally less flammable than inside the unit_ •Good breaks are present around much of the area. Page 41 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS - PRELIMINARY RISK Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Element Preliminary Risk Risk Rating Descriptors •Multiple firing sequences patterns and timing must be coordinated to meet project objectives and reduce the risk of an unexpected or adverse event. •Specific fire intensities or ROS are somewhat critical for meeting resource objectives but are readily attained by placing local skill sets in firing boss positions. Ignition Procedures and Methods •Building black can be difficult in numerous of the fuel models present. •Small unit size should facilitate internal ignitions. i1110d •Thick understory can cause travel difficulty in some areas. •Ignition operations should be accomplished within one operational period. Prescribed Fire Duration •Burn unit is small in size and residual burning is not expected after primary burn out of the unit. •Decrease in seasonal severity is expected. •Short time frame does not require special logistical support. •MOP-up is minimal or none is anticipated/planned. •All fire operations shauld be accomplished within one operating period. •Unit size is small. •Smoldering should be limited if burning under preferred conditions. •Conspicuous smoke will be produced creating significant public concern. Smoke Management •The possibility of health and safety issues due to smoke exposure exists_ •Strong,widespread social/political concern about smoke is common in the affected area. •High possibility for a NAAQS exceedance violation, •Smoke impacts affect several prescribed fire plan elements. •Some smoke sensitive receptors are in all directions. Unit size should be kept small to limit smoke production. •Ignition methods should be trailered to limit smoke production. •Smoke patrols will be needed. Page 42 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FiRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- PRELIMINARY RiSK Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill preliminary Risk Rating Descriptors Element Risk •Several activities depend on achievement of previous or concurrent actions. •Several activities are interactive. Number and •Communication is routine for coordination of activities and project success. The project involves another land management agency,ownership or jurisdiction but project completion is not dependent on coordinated Dependence of implementation. Activities Mod •When burning multiple subunits,moderate coordination is required. •Communication with nearby suppression resources is required. •Considerable line prep is required prior to ignition. •Refilling water may require coordination if a render is not readily available •Two levels of supervision are needed(i.e.Burn Boss,Ignition Specialist,and/ Holding Specialist,plus lighters and holders). Management 'Special skills or supervision required for one function(RXB2 is suggested). Organization Mod -Multiple agencies are usually required farfire operations. •Two or more levels of supervision are needed. •issues are present that hamper or may prevent meeting treatment resource objectives. -Failure to meet objectives could have short-term adverse impacts. Treatment/Resource Associated resources could be damaged if the prescribed fire did not meet resource objectives. Objectives •Few critical holding points. Mod •Mowed areas and logged areas can be difficult to carry and may smolder. •Unit size must be limited to prevent burning too much frosted elfrn habitat. Page 43 of 59 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- PRELIMINARY RISK Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Element Preliminary Risk Risk Rating Descriptors •Constraints exist with some constraints imposing limits an implementing the prescribed fire or achieving objectives. Constraints Mod •Limits on fire implementation are primarily related weather prescription. •Smoke considerations limit size and timing for implementation. •Burn size is limited to 113 of frosted elfin habitat Some phases of the prescribed fire may require logistical support in order to safely meet project objectives. Project Logistics •limited amount of special equipment or communication equipment requiring more intensive logistical support maybe needed to complete the project. Mod -Numerous notifications and resource requests are required. •Line prep is required. Page 44 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- POST-PLAN RISK Prescribed Fire Plans Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Elements/Actions in RX Fire Preliminary Post-Plan Plan Addressing Risk Risk Risk Element Risk Rating Descriptors Mitigation •Multiple firing sequences patterns and timing must be coordinated to meet project Unit size limited and ignition objectives and reduce the risk of an unexpected or adverse event. methods should limit smoke Ignition Procedures and .specific fire intensities or RQS are somewhat critical for meeting resource objectives but production. Methods are readily attained by placing local skill sets in firing boss positions. ...Mod Mod 'No additions or modifications. •Ignition operations should be accomplished within one operational period. •Burn unit is small in size and residual burning is not expected after primary burn out of the Prescribed Fire Duration unit. •Decrease in seasonal severity is expected. •Short time frame does not require special logistical support. +No additions or modifications. •Noticeable smoke w'sll be produced creating at least some public concern. •Smoke patrols will be used on •Short-term health or safety concerns related to smoke exposure may occur if actual d monitoring LVOR1 and potential for Smoke Management weather deviates from forecasted. •Nearby communities are highly conscious of smoke from wildland fire. smolder. •Same possibility for a NAAQS exceedance violation. •Checking duff and projectfue! moisture. Mod •No additions or modfcations. •Unit size is limited. •Wind directions are limited. Page 45 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hit! Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- POST-PLAN RISK Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Element Preliminary Post-Plan Elements/Actions in RX]FFire Risk Risk Risk Rating Descriptors Plan Addressing Risk •Several activities depend on achievement of previous or concurrent actions. Mitigation Number and •Several activities are interactive. Dependence of •communication is routine for coordination of activities and project success. •The project involves another land management agency,ownership or jurisdiction but Activities project completion is not dependent on coordinated implementation. Mod i Mod. 'No additions or modifications. Management •Two levels of supervision are needed(i.e.Burn Boss,Ignition Specialist,and/or Holding Specialist,plus lighters and holders). Organization •Special skills or supervision required for one function{RX62 is suggested}. Mod Mad •No additions or modifications. Treatment/Resource Issues are present that hamper or may prevent meeting treatment resource objectives. Objectives •Failure to meet objectives could have short-term adverse impacts. J •coordination with NNESPand •Associated resources could be damaged if the prescribed fire did not meet resource Trustees biologists to minimize objectives. Few critical holding points, impacts to threatened species. • Mod Mod •No additions or modifications. Page 46 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- POST-PLAN RISK Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Elements/Actions in RX Fire Preiiminary Post-Plan Plan Addressing Risk Risk Risk Element Risk Rating Descriptors Mitigation •Constraints exist with some constraints impaling limits on implementing the prescribed fire or achieving objectives. Constraints Mod Mod +Multiple permits required. •Some phases of the prescribed fire may require logistical support in order to safely meet .Coordination with localre project objectives. departments and DCR is required. Project Logistics .Limited amount of special equipment or communication equipment requiring more intensive logistical support may be needed to complete the project. Mod Mod +No additions or modifications. Page 47 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- POST-PLAN TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Element Post-Plan Technical Risk Difficulty Rating Descriptors ~ '— Safety •Potential serious accidents/injuries or multiple accidents/injuries to personae!or public are m itigated by standard safety briefings and identified in existing risk assessments/JHA. •Special emphasis is needed for some elements of LCES.Some standard preparation work and/or project design features are required, Mod Mod •Detailed briefings help mitigate safety concerns. •Escape routes need to be well established in grasslands. Fire Behavior 'Some special provisions for safety are needed to protect personnel_ •Fire behavior variations are minimal and do not require multiple fuel models to account for the fire behavior. •At least one barrier or containment opportunity exists. •Fire behavior is such that holding resources may need to use indirect tactics to control some spot fires and stopovers. •Occasional on-site fire behavior assessments or calculations may be needed and can be performed as a collateral duty. Mod Mod -Ignition strategies should mitigate fire behavior concerns. •Pitch pine can cause spotting and high fire behavior. •Nigh rates of spread are expected in tall grass Page 48 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS-POST-PLAN TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill post-plan Technical Rating Descriptors Element Risk Difficulty •Minimal holding resources are involved in the holding operation. •The burn unit and project area is easily accessible to the holding resources identified in the plan. Resistance to •Minimal line width required to contain expected fire spread_ Containment •Minimal site prep is required. •critical holding areas will be accessible by engine. •Good contingencies. •The need for multiple firing devices,sequences,techniques,or patterns has been identified. •Firing procedures are somewhat complex in at least some portions of the project area and a single Firing Boss(FIRE)is used. Ignition Procedures and .Two different types of ignition devices are planned. ro ect ob ectives and manage safety concerns. Methods The ignition pattern requires direct control of the lighters to achieve p j 1 S •Communications may require the use of a command(repeater)and at least two tactical frequencies will be used. Mod Mod •Ignitors will maintain communication. •ignition and mop-up operations are usually completed in 1 to 2 operational periods. Prescribed Fire Duration •Mop-up and patrol is typical with minimal resource and equipment needs. •Standard press release is sufficient for public notification. •overnight fire should be avoided. •Moderate smolder is acceptable. Page 49 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- POST-PLAN TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Element post-Plan Technical Risk Difficulty Rating Descriptors Smoke Management •ERTs and SMTs require skilled application of the prescribed fire prescription, •Some considerations are needed in the prescription or ignition portions of the plan to employ ERTs,and SMTs. -Wind parameters are constrained but easy to achieve. •Sensitive receptors exist. •Burn window/opportunities are reduced by the required weather/dispersion conditions. Mod Mod Numerous smoke sensitive receptors. •Wind directions are severely limited. •Mixing heights must be 1,500 feer. Smoke patrols must be used. Number and •Holding and lighting require close coordination and are dependent on each other to prevent spots or stopovers. Dependence of •Continuous communication is necessary for successful project completion, •Some pre-burn considerations are required before ignition. Activities Mod: Mod •Radio communication is necessary. •Close coordination between ignition and holding required. •At least one primary team member may need to come from outside of the local unit and may not be familiar with local factors, Management •The numbers of qualified person nei available on the local unit are limited. Organization •Special skills or supervision required for one function(RXB2 suggested). •Some pre-burn preparation work may require special organizational planning and/or coordination. •Protection of resource values Mod Mod requires extra considerations when developing certain elements of the prescribed fire plan. •Prescribed fires usually require multiple agencies with suppression responsibilities. Page 50 of 5s The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN COMPLEXITY ANALYSIS- POST-PLAN TECHNICAL DIFFICULTY Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Post-Plan Technical Rating Descriptors Element Risk Difficulty •There are several resource objectives to meet. +Measures to achieve the objectives are either 1)easy to complete but there are restrictions on the techniques or 2)moderately Treatment/Resource difficult to complete and there are few or no restrictions on techniques. Objectives •Additional monitoring of fire behavior and weather is needed to determine if prescribed fire objectives are being met. •Other opportunities to meet objectives are very limited in a given year. MOd Mod •There are multiple objectives(i.e.species of concern and restoration goofs). •Some constraints are not easily accommodated and increase the difficulty of completing the project or achieving objectives. Constraints •Some prescribed fire parameters are dependent upon marginal environmental conditions_ •The length of time to complete the project and the size of the organization may need to be increased. Mod Mod •No additions or modifications. •Project implementation requires a small logistical support operation. Project Logistics •Logistical support may be combined with other functions. *Obtaining same personnel may require additional contacts and advanced scheduling. •Additional support may be needed for out-of-area personnel. •Projeddct duration may require a resupply to ensure successful remote prescribed fire implementation. Mod MOd •No aitions or modifications. Page 51 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 APPENDIX E; JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Initial Risk: Residual Activity(s)and Potential Hazard ...Rating.. Hazard Corr#cols and Assignments Risk Residual Risk •Travel to Burn Project Site Rating Tolerance •Travel to Home Unit/Residence ,o The Burn Boss and project/site manager will communicate motor vehicle accident controls a y c m to agency contacts/chief of parties/supervisors and drivers_ ACCEPTABLE: Negtogible Motor Vehicle Accident m R . t,, a x Adequate rest before travel o m giuen common safe job (Other Vehicles,Hazardous Road Conditions, o g `•Practice defensive driving v, a. x procedures:are applied. Poor Visibility,and Fatigue/Sleepiness) i a `• Obey posted speed limits o m 3 Cantrnuai vigilance necessary 0 to maintain assurance that H•Bunt Setup risk remains at this level. {'�� •Burn Operations •Mop-Up —� a The Burn Boss,Holding Specialist(s),Ignition Specialist will communicate motor vehicle a ACCEPTABLE: Negligible `N° accident controls to agency contacts/chief of arties supervisors and drivers. m •Burn Breakdown m o M g cY p / � � �+ a x •Defensive driving O N given common safe job Vehicle o o � `<•Obey posted speed lim its procedures are applied. Motor Accident y y, {Other Vehicles •Use backup spotters R 3 Continual vigilance necessary,Hazardous Road Conditions, rn �a x to maintain assurance necessary. risk Poor Visibility,and Fatigue/Sleepiness) w r •Use chock blocks and/or emergency brakes when parked j remains at this level •Burn Setup _a •Burn Operations M The Burn Boss,Holding Specialist(s),Ignition Specialist will communicate general accident-Up �. .T •Mop (aH controls to supervisors and crew. te a ACCEPTABLE: Negligible •Burn Breakdown QJ Q •Appropriate PPE(gloves,eye protections,and foot protection) o given commori.safe lob Genera! 2Z a'Practice appropriate lifting techniques s procedures are applied.: Accidents 16 0 $ L •Location of first aid kits known to supervisors and Crew 3 Continual vigilance necessary (cuts,abrasions,back/lifting injury,hearing a m o � ° to maintain assurance that risk damage,&eye injuries) g <n remains at this)evil. Page 52 of 58 .............. The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Residual Initial Residual Risk Risk Rating Tolerance Activity(s)and Potential Hazard Rating ;Hazard Controls and Assignments } •Burn Setup s a ACCEPTABLE : [Negligible 'a The Burn Boss,Holding Specialists},ignition Specialist will communicate fuel mixing and :o given common safeiob •Burn operations R m o refueling controls to supervisors and crew. W a procedures are applie •Mop Up d.; •Burn Breakdown ve a = •Eye protection and gloves �; � 3 ConEinual vigilance necessary ; °1 4. •Fill with funnels and secondary containment `� -°� ° to maintain assur�snce that s Fuel Mixing and Refueling Use appropriate fuel mixes o vs rfskfemainsa#this level. �f . mark all containers using tags with mix,date,and mixers initials See UTV-ATV Assessment •Burn Operations •Mo�yU y 8 The Burn Boss,Holding 5pecialist(s),Ignition Specialist will communicate motor vehicle :a 0 T p N a accident controls to drivers. UTV Accident d 0 _ •Drivers will be familiar with safe operation of UTV T •Driver and passenger will wear seat belts when UTV is in motion m (Uneven Terrain/Rolling,Excessive Speed,& will be Unfamiliarity With UTV Operation) •F€rel€ne PPE will be warn and freline helmets will be worn with chinstrap—goggles 6 Ln worn in the absence of a windshield usly when on slopes •UTV will be operated off-highway only,at safe speeds,and cautio •Backup spotters will be used •Chock blocks and/or emergency brakes will be used when parked •Burn Operations Ignition S ecialist will communicate motor vehicle See UTV-ATV Assessment a -The Burn Boss,Holding Specialist(s), g p •Mop-up „ accident controls to drivers, iv i+ s m •Drivers will be familiar with safe operation of ATV will be y :a m ATV Accident C .Fireline PPE will be worn and fireline helmets will be wom with chinstrap—goggles �w a (Uneven Terrain/Rolling,Excessive Speed,& o worn Unfamiliarity With ATV Operation) m o s •UTV will be operated off-highway only,at safe speeds,and cautiously when on slopes a n`� Emergency • g brakes will be used when parked p o_ Page 53 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Initial Risk Residual Activity(s)and Potential Hazard Risk Residual Risk Rating Hazard Controls and Assignments •Burn Operations Rating Tolerance Mop-Up The Burn Boss,Holding specialist(s),and Ignition Specialist will communicate hazards of y = walking or driving near or on busy roads to all crew.The following will help mitigate ]' ACCEPTABLE::Negligible Qperating near busy roads o potential accidents, y = given common safe jab (Burr)personnel and other vehicles on main o c •Defensive driving . s procedures are applied roads,smoke on read,Poor visibility) Lei a ;•Ilse of emergency lights and headlights a Continual vigilance necessary. •j -Evaluate need of traffic detail to slow/direct traffc on main roads o } to maintain assurance that r-Post"Smoke Ahead"and"Prescribed Burn"signs as needed s o risk remains at this feYel 4 •Crossing of road only to be at direction of supervisor •Burn Operations The Burn Boss,Holding Specialist(s),ignition Specialist will communicate extreme Fire Extreme Fire Behavior w behavior controls to supervisors and crew. y } o N •Escape routes and safety zones ACCEPTABLE: Negligible m given common safe jab vi a M •Crew will wear full wildland fire PPE,to include fire shelters m o procedures are applied. m 'n a S Continual vigilance necessary 0 ,' = o to inaintain..assurance that risk remains.'at this level.m •Burn Operations � y •Mop-Up The Burn Boss,Holding Specialist(s),Ignition Specialist will communicate power line hazard a y m g m controls to supervisors and crew. a ACCEPTABLE; Negligible Power Line Hazard a = •Avoid working under power lines a T 1:• ear power lines m n given.Common safe job Do not spray water on or n m ; it x proceduresare:applied.. 9,0'Minimize heat,direct flame contact,and heavy smoke impacts on power lines � z c Continual vigilance necessary a;� r —� to maintain assurance that risk m remains at this;level. v 't, Page 54 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS Prescribed Fire Plan Name: The Trustees Weir Hill Residual Initial Risk esidual Risk R Risk Rating Tolerance Actiity(s)and Potentllal.liazard Rating Hazard controls an Asslgnsnents $ ��+ s t+ CCEPTABLE: Negligible •Burn operations — The Burn Boss,Holding specialist(s),ignition Specialist will communicate Chain Saw A •Mop-Up = controls to supervisors and crew. geven common:safe jab teed. x procedures are app' m •PPE should be worn(eye protection,ear protection,hard hat,Chaps,boots,and � � Chain Saw Operation v °7 7 3 Continual vigilance necessary i appropriate clothing} Y o o •Only qualified saw operators will be authorized to operate chain saws o ._ to rna�ntain assurance that R risk remasn5 at th�5level •Spotters will be provided for sawyers o a •Make location of first aid kits known to supervisors and crew 7 } ACCEPTABLE: Negligible •Burn operations = and i nition specialist will communicate environmental s cs w — The Burn Boss,Holding Specialist(s) g P R givtn common safe Job. •Mop-Up — hazards controls to supervisors and crew. d. y = procedures are apol.... Sees, `� •Identify First Aid CPR trained crew and first aid kit locations y Caritenual vigilance necessary Environmental Hazards(Burns,Poison Ivy, c'i y m m ;•Tick-Borne Disease prevention to maRntain assurance that Lyme Disease,Illness,Tripping/Falling,Snags, a ` Importance of proper hydration °7 risk'remains atthislevel Smoke/CO Exposure,Dehydration, Heat Injury, a o ary• and Cold injury) o a Other Environmental/Environment Hazards based on potential exposure • ACCEPTABLE. Burn Operations r r - Neghg�ble 7 R given common safe job s � The Burn Boss,Holding Specialist(s),ignition Specialist will communicate ignition controls m � � proceduresare applied EO Ignition � n to supervisors and crew. v°7i i X •Wear appropriate PPE{gloves,eye protection,boots,and Armid clothing with sleeves m Continual vigilance necessary to inarntain:assurance that R ice'.down) s risk remains at this level \•Use proper fuel mix o page 55 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE: PLAN JOB HAZARD ANALYSIS Prescribed Fire Plan Name; The Trustees Weir Hill Initial Risk` Residual Activity(s)and Potential Hazard Rating Hazard Controls and Assignments Risk Residual Risk •Bum operations Y g •Mop-Up Ratin Tolerance.. The Burn Boss,Holding specialist(s),Ignition Specialist will communicate tool use controls ACCEPTABLE: Negligible Tool Use to supervisors and crewEn fl- . } c H given common safe job: y y _c,: •Appropriate PPE(gloves,boots,clothing,and eye protection) y = procedures:are applied. m g '•Proper spacing should be maintained H c ? Continual vigilance necessary oy r > a° _or Proper tool use and foot should be used Y ° to maintain assurance that •Burn operations M risk.remains:at this.level. a •Mop-Up ., The Burn Boss,Holding Specialist(s),Ignition Specialist will communicate pump operation o H controls to supervisors and crew. ACCEPTABLE:; Negligible Pump Operation it •Wear eye and ear protection w st H given common safe job procedures are applied: `a •Pressurized water operations wear eye protection and gloves CantI. ual vigilance necessary w o 4n y .. ma.....a$surance that risk remains:.atthis level. Page 56 of 58 The Trustees -Weir Hill Reservation) 2020 PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN UN/AN RISK ASSESSMENT Prescribed Fire Plan Name: ITrustees weir Hill OHV List-A--ATV/UTV Make/Model/Configuration Covered •UTV Type 7 Engine Rating Description Rating Rating Category Under 1Q mph 1 Speed of Operation Moderate >26%&c 75%of mf is maximum 20 Maximum slope in Any Direction Soil 9 Surface Type Firm 1 Surface Condition T 1 Configuration Ruts Bum Irre ulari0mr c 6 Surface Con " >75%&<1003sofmf r'sRecommendedMax_ 16 Load Weight Ligvid in a Baffled Container 4 Load Type Generally Accessible ..4 Accessibility of Use Area for Emergency Response z 4 Hour&z 8 Hours 9 Time operating Vehicle by Same Rider in a Single Workday Moderate Ristractions 4 Distraction of other Tasks While Operating Vehicle TOTAL RATING LIST-A: 69 FINAL RISK ASSESSMENT RATING LIST-A: MODERATE HAZARD Page 57 of 58 The Trustees - Weir Hill Reservation 2020 APPENDIX F: TECHNICAL REVIEWER CHECKLIST PRESCRIBED FIRE PLAN ELEMENTS SIt1 COMMENTS 1. Signature Page S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 2, Go/No-Go Checklists S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 3. Complexity Analysis Summa S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 4. Description of Prescribed Fire Area S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 5. Goals and Objectives S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 6. Funding S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 7, Prescription S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 8, Scheduling S Alf comments were addresses during The review of the plan. 9, Pre-Burn Considerations S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 10. Briefing S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 11. Organization and Equipment S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 12, Communications S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 13. Safety and Medical S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 14. Test Fire S Alt comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 15, Ignition Plan S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 16.Holding Plan S All comments were addresses during tiie review of the plan. 17.Contingency Plan S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 18.Wildfire Conversion S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan, 19.Smoke and Air Quality Mana ement S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 20.Monitoring S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. 21.PoSt-burn Aclivities S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. Appendix A: Maps S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. Appendix B:Fire Behavior Modelin S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. Appendix C:Complexity Analysis S Air comments were addresses during the review of the plan. Appendix D:Job Hazard Analysis S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan, Appendix E: Technical Reviewer Checklist S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. Other S All comments were addresses during the review of the plan. S W Satisfactory, tJ W Unsatisfactory Recommended for Approval: X Not Recommended for Approval: TECHNICAL REVII=W: X- SIGNATURE DATE ( ,lael R. Carison PRINTED NAME Northeast Forest& Fire Management, LLC AGENCY Prescribed Burn Boss Type 2 RXB2 QUALIFICATIONS Page S8 of 58 �i - , •":fit sly - :a.'L�+, �,'�+ .t 'sue E vl + ie F; y;- V! ycwt _ In � T ns H.abltata. n.dManRe... ment . .HLI Barre .. Application for .Watershed Protection District Special Permit Jeffrey Denoncour (Coastal Ecologist) The Trustees of Reservations 13 Acre Habitat Expansion and Routine Management • Masswildlife Climate Change y� �3 Y( rMl '6Txki� i1 c Resilienc ,G rant to expand - Z.. restored h _ �,habitat � «f tat b T 1 3 y acres �� creating a 60 acre early successional barrens footprint `' ' g - • Routine management moving forwa rd • Light canoe thinning and heavy 4� I Y g y � - mowing on 60 acres of restored - habitat • Prescribed fire and invasive z species control on all 80 acres of fire influence landscape Work Within Watershed Buffer Zone-s - Lake Cochichewick and Small Shrub Swamp _ z"�` ;��z�, �� ""'�am " • Total of 19 acres of habitat fall within Watershed Protection District Buffer ZonesS • Heavy mowing within 60-acre restoration area 2 (excluded from resource area, 25ft wetland NDZ) • Canopy thinning within 60-acre restoration area d (excluded from resource area, 25ft , and a 50ft filter strip of Lake Cochichewick) • Prescribed fire and invasive species control in all 80 acres of fire influenced landscape and within buffer zones and resource areas. To benefit habitat and manage fuel to reduce risk of 325ft Non-Discharge catastrophic wildfire. - • Impact mitigation methods detailed in Operations and Maintenance Plan 1ooft Non-Disturbance t 325ft Non Dlischarg+ 250ft Nan-Disturbance 4i Background for Planning Boa rd .................... s Weir Hill ........... • 194-acre reservation Al Ecologically diverse with uncommon plant species for this area. • Long history human influence and ,r E� wildfire. Burned an average of 2x per year 1960-1980. " x • 80 acres of fire influenced landscape. ' • Home to state endangered wildlife frosted elfin butterfly) and Species _ of Greatest Conservation Concern _ x (Prairie Warbler). 53 r� �Z` y�u��-1;vi`� 1�'�� "';.M„t}� � rtx �y '��^ t f ., �' �'4' >f`� , - '�''�.�� 'k �' •• • r � �� -'� � '��.3` <,•rr �¢ 1'�b�`� ..yao-..� u y r�,,r xi5.,. .,y, �,7+��,�+ �u �,1++ u;� �}�. �- �+q K `�".,� j.y,r,ry>"�•'G��r 1 "`lCc� '� �� y,h >' � ,'�, �gr —91 tjb �r � yly rfa r M / o7a r �/ r r i r/ �rF ,} lid". - _ y '� '�". 1r $ c • ` • • ` rarl � i` �; r A`�'��t f' y r e • 9-7 MT ':a� �,+Y$�91�/ P�l�r y � '� � �.,�r�� p� � tiC � � �Vk �� ,•� __ r, - _ � +''� �+''.��.�ri/ �• ` F�J�:'�` �'b�'Y� Y £^�S/p�s�� 1�`" p� }fEv'°� • w � � • � • � 4714 Ab k> 'a . s v . M w w p • w • w w ._ 4. Ah 4 Y r � a r4 d ........ • , r w w w w w n F # Habitat Succession K `1 � � M l� f Image credit: modified from Forest succession by Lucas Martin Frey, CC BY 3.0 Restoration Histor • Mechanical can thinning first and was occurred in 2006, repeated in 2014, and 2020. ti24 • Prescribed fire occurred four times Ill, MIDI since 2008, 5--15 acres per burn. !I I Slim Thinned canopy in 2017. • Roughly 5-20 acres of heavy plowing has occurred on an annual basis. d as of 2022 47 Total acres restore l ka Ilk fl 1'`f r y'Ix' i if "nr �li i.'.. �,t�� h rr 1 � � 'rt ' + r ' tr� ✓ " r r ti�i SwF Yk 4 �t� f 3 , r i 1r�S sF..t+ R � <'S Lr��:'�.it s �`� 1'i lot °Ilk - y�,}�' �.. �' t ! �> <� -r �� M - + �� •�jr�+i r' �1 � r [ :,,-t�l, ,/� � 1 R. �� fh ;}� li�� ; 4" r s" '�OWN ? 1 '§'ti [ • �1't to r� F h te et" ' �r..hh� �\ 4 t f. 1 yy��/,r + �`9i1 r•ic .�.,, f.r n " F r }� IVfxl� IBM "All ■ rF �1 9 1 y{y"1{� � d'"� , yyp ^t ,F_;Ls1L�(Sy+. t'5• �'�� ,'� r'�� '!1��e�Y� f- � A,' ` {..f -i r iije T ""��5,*. � 1 i'��r 1 �yf f•�'�,Y�' t�i fryf f� '�, fi 4 I ��.i: {c"n�}�r{/1 i.? 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'4F"<, t �' 7111 ��.a�15� -,.�.YS1wR�" tiY' r. ,,.,'�t �F.t' `�?St•,'::�� a�4 r,.r� � I °3 '�' P r a�@ � � �F1�5� `F f t4 y�♦ r4^r�dy��eA�Wi �{ � _ yr�iyt ")' 21 7''�u ..11�'r'Fi" >•'�. -- n f 07 V I I�}raj ::� �r�' ��..I� �. r�, �_ 3tf i'•' y" ?';� �'� � �� rr>..,jv ��S 7i��°��i Nis �z ��` rail iI�>� f 1 u r6 yy q 'fit { x may._ . s i 'y E'A p .`A .� �� } 1 1 7S 4 .T 'T4'• F�F�� j jT an i 1 rkk ¢� ikf"J { % � , r�k; N R4 e{ �73kr'd4at�a rY1 G.Iw " as a�.. tl J $ �: ¢ n;_-' 1rt�i r• }rt 5I / ' ' a 4M -, j �f- /n� �1 1 140 MJ ma` r ti A y" i ! :r lWw..a. z , r ac , 1 A< to " 1]'. .AN ism, TP a 1st I ,.1 �O /_ l•C' .i b� t It� cr AA l/] ..� + r A ,, °1 ,rr a< s. li' .•��x P 1 1 r i_,iM` / ' k]] ky '2D A � ^�6 `r� � � •'C3 '' � ��+ r�.�,1-, ��/+ �+ j�y�1°�tfi ' � .✓��v r f11"�i�11I lv (D �(p QI,Q '/ SFr '+i, .��' 7 Q WX 1--!•' RR,y fir.. �. .r ��", yr r� � 'Y.. ! r.• '�A � �° r�451�� _ f —I r or) i d4 D C 01 3 N E) a M w � i l 7n cr IN a;Y ' 1 f R d tz � } ly q Est o Massachusetts MIdI e Action Plan Species of Greatest onservation Need ,rosted Elfin, Callophrys irus (State Special Concern):breeding northern Harrier, Circus cyaneus(State Threatened,PIF-VI): )tential resting/feeding habitat during migration_ - lhimney Swift, Chaetura pelagica(SWAP):potential breeding in rge fire-scarred trees and commonly observed feeding ` American Kestrel,Falco tinnunculus(SWAP*):potential breeding/ F :edin.g habitat 'rairie Warbler,Dendroica discolor(SWAP): breeding habitat :astern Towhee,Pipilo erythrophthalmus(SWAP): breeding habitat \,merican Woodcock,Scolopax minor(SWAP): breeding habitat �� aF Meld Sparrow,Spizella pusilla(SWAP): breeding habitat AmericanWoodcock 3rown Thrasher, Toxostoma rufrum (SWAP): breeding habitat ' 3lue-winged warbler, Vermivora pinus(SWAP).breeding habitat Vhip-poor-will, Caprimulgus vociferous(State Special Concern): -eeding habitat " scrub Euchlaena,Euchlaena madusaria(State Special Concern.): -eeding fellow Bumble,Bee Bombus fervidus(SWAP) 'urple Needle-grass,Aristida purpurascens (State Threatened): aant population located in proximity to an area where canopy ,.inning would occur. Canopy thbmin.g will create habitat for 1, �pulation expansion. ,qZ ,ion's Foot,NaBalus serpentarius(State Endangered): extant ecently discovered at Weir Hill in 2020) b ® Purple Needlegrass 1 � rosted Elfin r s WN � a M1 � ,�• s per' � r- 4� ,�'"�-•-,:2r ?' �4 � f }� „��> a�ti� s* •t - .,�"t, d' _.; t - - E �rY_ _ i�4 '� r"�� 4 r df �vt. `a: ,. ✓ - `®? gyp. tiT1�Y :. Fs 1�#k a y. •m; " y '"*�. art I �� s �� , � � �Q. � �t�ti �� - •.�� -� ";' � :� Scrub Euchlaena Moth Or i i � t v < s�"Ag t 5r ' AAAA � / Lion'sfoot Rattlesnake-ro+ �rj ,, OW W—CM1 47, 5f mums go S yd r/ p , ,r wi df" E 7.1 Koo s M N' fs � ;x "tea+s r h �- I+Y' f'p MR-MI..'". r Y Not MOM AQ� Aj s M • �� n�� jq jo .. . +' 'b M, y-- Te' 4r,1 ij, 'life �'.� 4 0. +�C' ' � } 3 33 A o \ i i ;r '� 1 s-S � , 'f"r\f3�t� '�J�� S` e p�Y ir'+��kTK' >.;U �J��1Vk41� �-�rr'•1 h��Ali t�r t-'`J. 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