September 1996

Quincy Library Group

Background

The QLG proposal is a grass roots effort among numerous community members to agree on how selected local national forest level) resources should be managed.

The key features of the initial QLG proposal included:

1. extensive focus on forest fuels management;
2. community economic stability through increased timber production combined with establishment of a sustained yield unit to limit competition;
3. protection of significant old-growth reserves;
4. a high degree of riparian area protection by implementing the SAT recommendations;
5. emphasis on watershed restoration; and
6. uneven age silvicultural prescriptions single tree or small group selection.

The Library Group has produced a map for the "QLG area" (Plumas NF, Lassen NF, and the Sierraville District of the Tahoe NF) displaying land areas they believe should be open to management and areas off-base to management activities. The Forests have expressed support for grass roots efforts to address fuels and forest health issues, and community stability.

Current Status

The Forests are currently involved with QLG in several areas:

• Amendments to Forest Plans
  QLG advocates amending forest plans to implement their proposal. The Forests are awaiting the release of the California spotted owl decision, which will amend forest plans, before making any determination.
  
  
• Barkley Fire Salvage Sale
  The Lassen National Forest is proceeding with the Barkley Fire Salvage sale, advertising March 19 and selling it April 3. The Library Group strongly opposes the sale because it is located in an area they classify as off-base to management activity, and have accused the Forest of proceeding with the sale to "drive a wedge" in the group's coalition. The sale encompasses 176 acres in a former roadless area, and will produce 2.5 million board feet of timber. Objectives for the sale include realizing the commercial value of the damaged timber and fuel reduction.
  
  
• Ethanol production from wood chips feasibility study
  The QLG initiated a meeting with community members, including the Forest Service, with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and TSS Associates regarding the potential of producing ethanol from wood chips. The wood chips would come from biomass operations on National Forest System lands, which in turn would help address forest health concerns. The Plumas County Economic Development Corporation will be looking at feasibility study funding over the next several weeks. One possible source of funding is through Forest Service Rural Community Grants.
  
  
• Forest projects in off-base areas
  In addition to the Barkley sale, the QLG is concerned that the Lassen National Forest is planning other projects in areas they have classified as off-base. In fact, the Forest does not have scheduled FY 1996 projects within analysis areas in off-base locations. However, in 1995 extensive windthrow occurred in thirteen identified locations on the Forest. Four of these locations fell within off-base areas. The Forest will be involving the public in the analysis of these four areas.
  
  
• Forest Health Pilot
  Discussions between the QLG and the Forests led to changes in projects proposed for funding through the $4.7 million redirected to the Forest Health Pilot. Initially QLG expressed concern that the volume coming from fuel reduction proposed projects, was too low. They suggested that fuel reduction goals could be met and more volume produced, by moving project locations. Thirty-six projects are proposed with the majority of the work to be accomplished through contracting. Fuel reduction, watershed restoration, monitoring, and land management planning projects are included in the FHP.
  
  
• Forest Health Pilot Funding.
  To fund the FHP $4.7 million, monies were redirected at the National level.

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