KittitasCountyCWPP_September2022_Amendment_Only (2)

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Upper Swauk Landscape Evaluation Summary (2020) | Page 2 Figure 3. Current (left) and future (right) moisture stress levels based on water balance deficit. Low levels are associated with moist and cold forest types, high with dry forest types, and very high with woodland or shrub-steppe. Future climate is based on a business as usual greenhouse gas emissions scenario (RCP 8.5). Overarching Goals Reduce wildfire risk and protect communities Fire risk is high to extreme in northern and western por- tions of the planning area due to high fuel loads and burn probability (Fig. 2). The western portion represents some of the highest fire risk in eastern WA. Fuels treatments are needed to break up the large patches of dense forest to reduce the likelihood of large crown fire. Relatively lower fire risk in the southeastern portion is due in part to recent treatments on USFS and private land, as well as the 2012 Table Mountain Fire. However, fire risk is still high to ex- treme in some areas around Liberty and Highway 97, in- cluding private parcels with homes. The planned Swauk Pine treatments will reduce the risk of wildfire and insect outbreaks. Additional treatments in dense forest in north- ern and western portions will further mitigate these risks. Increase resilience and prepare for climate change Projected warming will increase moisture stress and risk of wildfire and insect outbreaks, which are already gener- ally high in currently dry and moist forest types. By mid- century, 41% of the planning area is projected to have moisture stress levels currently associated with woodland and shrub-steppe, indicating that these locations may no longer support forest (Fig. 3). Treatments to reduce den- sity and favor drought-tolerant species on projected fu- ture high and very high deficit sites will support forest persistence into the future. Sustain wildlife habitat Habitat for dry forest, large tree, open canopy species (e.g. White Headed Woodpecker) is well represented in central portions of the planning area, primarily in loca- tions with recent thinning treatments. Habitat for species that depend on moist, closed canopy forest with large trees (e.g. Northern Spotted Owl) is in the middle or up- per end of desired ranges, though it is overly abundant in large patches in western portions. In high fire risk lo- cations, reducing tree density and canopy cover will re- duce crown fire potential and drought vulnerability, help maintain habitat in the most sustainable locations (Fig. 7), and broaden the spatial distribution of open canopy habitat. When consistent with the Northwest Forest Plan, lighter, variable density thinning in mid-sized stands can accelerate habitat development. Habitat for cold forest, large-tree, closed canopy species (e.g. American Marten) is a relatively minor component of this planning area. Enhance rural economic development Reducing fire risk will help sustain recreation and tourism while reducing the potential of smoke affecting nearby communities. Warming trends may make it difficult to sustain timber production on south-facing slopes in the planning area (Fig. 3). In the remainder, long-term timber production will likely be possible if proactive strategies to shift species composition and manage for lower tree den- sity are adopted over time.