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HomeMy WebLinkAboutForest Pest Management Report 1990laa, United States @ <r Forest Pest Forest Service ne Management Report Region BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION R10-90-3 SPRUCE BARK BEETLE HOMER ELECTRIC ASSOC. AND ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY ROW CLEARING PROGRAM OCTOBER 1990 3430 BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION R10-90-3 SPRUCE BARK BEETLE HOMER ELECTRIC ASSOC. AND ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY ROW CLEARING PROGRAM OCTOBER 1990 PREPARED Ef BY: EDWARD H. HOLSTEN, FOREST ENTOMOLOGIST FOREST PEST MANAGEMENT STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY REGION 10, ALASKA APPROVED Finn AS BY: GENE LESSARD, GROUP LEADER FOREST PEST MANAGEMENT STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY REGION 10, ALASKA —— pe pe AUL FORWARD, DIRE CTOR STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY REGION 10, ALASKA FOREST PEST MANAGEMENT STATE AND PRIVATE FORESTRY ALASKA REGION USDA FOREST SERVICE 201 E. 9TH AVE., SUITE 201 ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99501 INTRODUCTION The spruce beetle, Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby), is the most significant natural mortality agent of mature spruce stands in Alaska. The spruce beetle has infested approximately 2 million acres of Alaska’s spruce stands. The majority of the impacted areas are located in south-central Alaska (Holsten 1990). The spruce beetle infests white, Sitka and Lutz spruce; black spruce is rarely attacked. Spruce beetles kill trees by boring through the bark and feeding and breeding in the phloem tissue. Phloem tissue is vital to a tree as it transports food manufactured in the needles down to the roots. When phloem tissue is consumed, the tree will die. A description of the spruce bark beetle life history is presented in Appendix A. Forest Pest Management (FPM) 1989 aerial detection surveys detected active spruce beetle infestations on approximately 200,000 acres throughout Alaska. White, Lutz and Sitka spruce mortality was detected on 11,000 acres of the Chugach National Forest, a decrease over prior years. Spruce beetle infestations are extremely high and damaging in the Cooper Landing area where more than 90% of all spruce greater than 5 inches in diameter have been killed. A reflection of the extremely high beetle pressure is the occurance of black spruce mortality; trees as small as 3 inches in diameter have been successfully attacked and killed. Black spruce is rarely attacked by spruce beetles, but when preferred hosts (White and Lutz spruce) have been previously killed, beetles have little choice but to attack black spruce. Spruce beetle activity was scattered on the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge where approximately 10,000 acres were infested; the majority of the infested forested lands occurred southwest of Tustumena Lake. Across Kachemak Bay from Homer, spruce beetle populations were increasing in 1989 in the Sitka spruce stands; approximately 10,000 acres were lightly infested. 1990 aerial detection surveys have recently been completed. Although final data is not complete it appears that spruce beetle populations have increased dramatically throughout Alaska. This is a reflection of favorable spring and summer 1989-90 temperatures which allowed spruce beetle populations to mature in one year instead of the normal two years. Spruce bark beetle infestations on the Chugach National Forest increased to 23,000 acres; the majority of the increase occurred in the upper Russian Lakes area. Further south on the Kenai Peninsula, spruce beetle infestations on Kenai National Wildlife Refuge and State and Private lands increasd to 46,000 acres. The most notable increase occurred east of Clam Gulch and west of Tustumena Lake (Fig. 1). The Kachemak Bay infestation has not expanded over the 1989 infested area although the infestation has increased in intensity in the Bear Cove area (Fig. 2,3). Small populations of spruce beetles are always present in spruce forests. However, when conditions are “right* spruce beetles may "suddenly" increase to epidemic numbers. These right conditions include abun- dant breeding material and dry summers. Spruce beetles normally attack and breed in fresh windthrown trees, felled trees, and logging slash. When the spruce beetle populations outgrow the supply of down material, they can move into nearby living trees, particularly mature stands of spruce which are over-mature and slowly growing. Almost all past spruce beetle outbreaks have been associated with some sort of forest disturbance such as timber harvest, land clearing related to road, seismic line, pipeline, powerline, or building construction; and windthrown trees (Werner 1978). However, windthrown trees in forest shade are the most productive breed- ing sites for spruce beetles (Dyer and Taylor 1971, Schmid 1977). It should be kept in mind that spruce beetles are normally found in downed spruce throughout the State. Their presence does not necessarily constitute a hazard. Even if large populations are found building up in the down material, economics, surrounding forest composition, access, etc. may preclude the use of suppression techniques. Spruce Bark Beetle Activity a S ithe i Spruce Bark Beetle Activity FIG. 2. SPRUCE BARK BEETLE ACTIVITY, KACHEMAK BAY AREA, JULY 1990 Fig. 3. On-going spruce beetle infestation, Bear Cove In the early 1970's a large spruce beetle outbreak was detected on the westside of Cook Inlet where more than 70,000 acres of spruce mortality occurred near Trading Bay and Tyonek. By 1974, more than 250,000 acres were impacted (Holsten 1990). The cause of the outbreak was not definitely known but was believed to be associated with seismic line clearing debris from 1965-68 and the severe drought of 1968-69. As aresult of the Tyonek outbreak and a better understanding of spruce beetle biology and attack dynamics, land management agencies became more concerned with the proper disposal/treatment of right-of-way (ROW) clearing debris. Region 10 Forest Pest Management (FPM) staff was requested early in the summer of 1980 by Copper Valley Electric Association to undertake an evaluation of potential spruce bark beetle build-up in downed right-of-way material. FPM evaluated the right-of-way debris for three years and supplied Copper Valley Electric with treatment recommendations (Holsten 1980, 1981, 1982). Right-of-way clearing for electric transmission line construction significantly increased on the lower Kenai Peninisula in the mid-1980’s. Both the Homer Electric Association (HEA) and Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) began ROW clearing. HEA initiated clearing on a 100 foot wide transmission ROW from Soldotna to the Fritz Creek sub-station in 1985. The clearing progressed from Soldotna to Fritz Creek and was completed in 1990 (Fig. 4). To prevent an outbreak of spruce bark beetles, spruce logs greater than 4" in diameter which were not removed, were to be disposed of by using one of three alternatives: burn, hydroaxe, or logs were to be cut in 24" length sections. Sections were to be scattered in open areas of the ROW to permit rapid drying to retard spruce bark beetle population build-up. FPM was requested by HEA in 1987 to undertake an evaluation of possible spruce beetle build-up in the down ROW material. Additional evaluations were undertaken by FPM in 1988 and in 1989 by the State of Alaska, Division of Forestry personnel. Copies of these evaluations are presented in Appendix B. Large diameter (>6") right-of-way clearing debris remains attractive as breeding material to bark beetles for two years only. As of 1989 forests adjacent to the HEA ROW clearing project had not been impacted by spruce bark beetles which are currently breeding in the slash. Scattered spruce bark beetle activity was aerially detected in 1988 on 41,000 acres south-west of Tustumena Lake. This light infestation has been on-going for the last few years and surrounds portions of the cleared HEA ROW. However, this infestation was not a result of beetles breeding in and emerging from the power-line clearing debris as most of the Spruce Bark Beetle Activity co Location MAP - ND AEA FIG. 4. LOCATION OF HEA SPRUCE BEETLE EVALUATION STOPS (1 5) A STOPS (A-D), JULY 1990 12] standing spruce mortality occurred before the ROW clearing. However, it was thought (D. Orr letter 9/1/89) that this would not be the case in 1990 and 1991 when spruce beetle emerge from the slash especially in the more recently cleared sections of the ROW and begin attacking live trees bordering the right-of-way. Alaska Energy Authority (AEA) initiated in 1987 clearing of the Bradley Lake 300-400 foot wide transmission ROW. The ROW begins near the mouth of the Bradley River and ties into the HEA transmission line approximately 20 miles away (Fig. 4). All spruce logs greater than 4" in diameter which were not removed were treated by limbing, bucking into 24" lengths, and scattering. Spruce bolts on the ROW clearing along the south side of Kachemak Bay were also burned in some areas to reduce spruce bark beetle build-up. Other clearing measures included: (1) felling, piling, and burning, and (2) a "slash-buster* was used to de-bark the down spruce rendering it unsuitable as spruce beetle brood material. State of Alaska, Division of Forestry personnel were requested in 1988 and in 1989 by AEA to undertake an evaluation of the power transmission line clearing project. R-10 FPM personnel were also requested in 1989 to undertake an overview of AEA’s efforts regarding control of the spruce bark beetle along the recently cleared transmission line ROW. Copies of these evaluations are enclosed in Appendix C. As of December 19839, little recent spruce beetle activity was noted in the spruce stands bordering the ROW. The cambium of much of the unburned down material that wasn’t burned appeared to be rapidly “souring". Much of the felled material was thought not to be suitable for spruce beetle attack in 1990. The 1989 burning was more than adequate in destroying any spruce beetle brood developing in the logs/bolts. It has been 3-4 years since HEA and AEA power-line ROW clearings were initiated. Most clearing efforts have been completed by 1990. R-10 Forest Pest Management was once again requested by both HEA and AEA to undertake an evaluation of spruce beetle build-up in the downed right-of-way material. The following report summarizes the findings of the July 1990 FPM evaluation of both right-of-way clearing projects. This report will serve as a final report; no further ground evaluations are anticipated. MATERIALS AND METHODS FPM personnel undertook an evaluation of spruce bark beetle build-up in felled spruce and in standing trees along the HEA and AEA ROW on July 23 & 24, 1990. A Bell 206 Jet Ranger Helicopter was used for the aerial survey portion of the right-of-ways as well as for transportation to and from the ground checks (STOPS). Both Dave Bear of HEA and Dave Trudgen of AEA participated in the evaluations. Their assistance was greatly appreciated. Both right-of-ways were aerially surveyed: the occurrence of standing infested spruce was marked on 1:250,000 or 1:63,360 scale USGS quadrangle topographic maps. Nine areas (STOPS) were chosen for ground checks either due to the amount of large diameter spruce felled for the ROW or evidence of standing spruce beetle infested trees bordering the ROW. Five STOPS were evaluated along HEA ROW and four STOPS along AEA ROW. General description and location of STOPS are as follows (Fig.4): |. DESCRIPTION OF STOPS A. HOMER ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION ROW: STOP 1- Located approximately 3 miles S.W. of the outlet of Kasilof River at Tustumena Lake. This location was chosen due to abundance of standing beetle infested spruce bordering the ROW. ROW spruce were felled, limbed, bucked, and scat- tered in late winter of 1987. STOP 2- _ Located approximately 7 miles south of STOP 1. The aerial reconnaisance detect- ed recent and old spruce beetle activity scattered throughout the predominately Lutz spruce stand. Most spruce along the ROW were felled and bucked in 1987. STOP 3- Located approximately 7 miles south of STOP 2; just north of Deep Creek. Spruce along the ROW were felled in late June of 1987. The 1990 aerial survey detected light, scattered spruce beetle activity in the standing Lutz spruce bordering the ROW. STOP 4- Located approximately 7 miles south of STOP 3 - at the junction of the HEA and AEA transmission right-of-ways. Aerial surveys did not detect any recent spruce beetle activity in the Lutz spruce stands bordering the right-of-ways. STOP 5- Located approximately 8 miles south of STOP 4. The aerial survey detected light, scattered, old beetle kill in the surrounding Lutz spruce stands. B. ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY ROW: STOP A- Approximately 2 miles east of the Powerhouse in an area of the ROW where felled trees were bucked and burned. Stands bordering ROW are predominately Sitka spruce. STOP B- Approximately 2 miles northeast of STOP A. ROW clearing debris was felled, limbed, and scattered but not bucked or burned. Surrounding forests are com- prised of Sitka spruce. STOP C- Approximately 2 miles northeast of STOP B. Sitka spruce felled for the ROW were limbed, bucked, and scattered but not burned. STOP D- South of Caribou Lake. Lutz spruce cleared for the transmission line were felled, bucked and scattered. Much of the downed material was de-barked with a "slash buster’. Most of the felled material had been removed for firewood. Il, EVALUATION OF TREATED BOLTS By examining the right-of-way clearing debris, we can determine it’s importance as breeding material for spruce bark beetles. Accordingly, ten bolts were randomly selected at each of the following STOPS: A-D and 4 and 5. Bolts were not sampled at STOPS 1-3 as these bolts were more than two years old and any beetle brood had already emerged. A 6" x 6" section of bark was removed from the lower sides of the bolt; the area most commonly attacked by spruce beetles. From each sample, the presence, not numbers, of adult spruce beetles, larvae, or pupae was noted. Ill, 1 X 10 CHAIN STRIP CRUISES: One chain by ten chain (1 acre) strip cruises were undertaken at STOPS 1-5 and D. One chain equals 66 feet. STOPS 1-3 had one strip cruise each whereas STOPS 4, 5 and D each had two cruises each. Within each 1x10 chain strip cruise every spruce >5* dbh was recorded by diameter and condition per 1 chain interval. Condition classes were: old attacked dead; 1988 attacks (red-tops); 1990 attacks; pitch-outs (unsuccessful attacks); and uninfested spruce. The objective of these strip cruises was to determine the extent and intensity of spruce beetle activity, both present and past, in the standing spruce bordering the cleared transmission- line ROW. By recording tree conditions at 1 chain intervals from the ROW; an indication of the importance of right-of-way clearing debris as a source of attacking spruce beetle populations can be determined. For example if we noted a significantly higher percentage of beetle killed trees within 1 chain of the ROW - the attacking beetles responsible for this kill more than likely emerged from downed ROW clearing debris. Although spruce beetles are capable of flying at least 7 miles, they normally disperse short distances. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The following results and discussion are presented by STOP. Following this, an overall summary of spruce beetle impact and risk for both HEA and AEA transmission line clearing is presented. HOMER ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION: STOP 1: This portion of the HEA ROW is located approximately south-west of the outlet of the Kasilof River. Scattered spruce beetle activity has been detected in the Lutz spruce stands surrounding the ROW for at least four years (Fig. 5). This years aerial survey detected a significant increase in recently infested trees. A 1 x 10 chain (1 acre) cruise was done at right angles to the ROW. The results of the one acre cruise are presented below. ROW clearing debris was not checked for beetle brood as it was old enough not to support spruce beetle populations. It appears that the ROW clearing debris infested in 1986 may have contributed to the stand- ing beetle killed spruce bordering the ROW. These beetles would have emerged in 1988 from the down material and initiated attacks. There were significantly more 1988 attacks within 1 chain of the ROW than anywhere else. However, it appears that the progeny from the 1988 attacking adults contributed little to the 1990 attacks (Table 1). In fact, the number of 1990 attacks was significantly higher at 8-10 chains away from the ROW. The new attacks occurring in 1990 are more than likely the result of increasing beetle populations in the surrounding spruce stands; not as a result of the ROW clearing debris. Fig. 5. Scattered spruce beetle activity in Lutz spruce near Tustumena Lake Table 1: The condition of all spruce > than 5" dbh at one chain intervals starting from the edge of the ROW. CHAIN # 1(start) SH OONOOAWN oO TOTAL STOP 2: OLD 1988 1990 ATTACKS ATTACKS ATTACKS —_ 11 3 3 _ 1 4 1 2 6 7 1 1 1 4 — _ 1 _ _ 1 5 _ 4 1 _ 14 1 _ 7 21 20 38 PITCH- UNIN- FESTED 2 1 5 10 14 5 14 62 This evaluation STOP is located 7 miles south of STOP 1 along the HEA ROW. Similar to STOP 1, STOP 2 is located within a scattered but on-going spruce beetle infestation. The results of the 1 acre cruise are given in the following table: Table 2: The condition of all spruce > than 5" dbh at one chain intervals starting from the edge of the ROW. CHAIN # 1(start) mOONOO AWN So TOTAL STOP 3: OLD 1988 1990 PITCH- UNIN- ATTACK ATTACK ATTACK OUT FESTED —_ 15 1 _ 3 2 _ 6 4 10 _ 2 14 1 1 —- _ 11 7 14 1 _ 3 _ 16 1 _ 4 1 15 2 _ 5 2 13 1 _ 2 1 22 1 _ 1 2 15 1 1 5 5 9 9 18 52 23 118 Similar to STOP 1; the 1 acre cruise at STOP 2 indicates that ROW clearing debris probably contributed to increased beetle caused mortality of standing spruce. This is reflected in the significantly higher number of 1988 attacked trees within 1 chain of the ROW (Fig. 6). However, it is unclear whether the 1990 attacked trees are a result of increased spruce beetle activity bordering the ROW or in the surrounding stand. Regardless of the origin of the attacking trees, 52 recently infested trees per acre is an indication of a high bark beetle population. An evaluation of the downed ROW clearing debris was not undertaken as the material was too old to support spruce beetle populations. STOP 3 was located approximately 7 miles south of STOP 2 near the confluence of the South Fork and North Fork of Deep Creek. The aerial detection survey noted very light (<5 trees) scattered spruce beetle activity in the standing Lutz spruce surrounding the ROW. An evaluation of the treated clearing debris was not done as the material was old enough not to support spruce beetle populations. The following table presents the results of the 1 x 10 chain (1 acre) strip cruise: -10- Fig. 6. Recent spruce beetle infested Lutz spruce along HEA ROW TABLE 3: The condition of all spruce greater than 5" dbh at one chain intervals from the edge of the ROW. OLD 1988 CHAIN # — ATTACKS ATTACKS 1(START) 2 1 2 2 - 3 6 - 4 - - 5 - 6 6 1 - 7 2 - 8 4 7 9 2 - 10 3 - TOTAL 22 7 STOP 4: 1990 ATTACKS PITCH- OUTS 1 oh; noo ao 24 UNIN- FESTED 5 8 29 17 17 19 28 34 19 9 185 There has been a significant increase in the number of attacked trees since 1988 (38 vs. 7). This increase in spruce beetle killed trees is probably not a result of attacking beetles emerging from ROW clearing debris. Almost as many 1990 attacked trees were noted 9-10 chains from the ROW as were attacked within 2 chains of the ROW (13 vs. 23, respectively). It appears that spruce beetle popula- tions are generally building in the surrounding area. Located at the junction of HEA and AEA transmission ROW. No recent standing beetle infested spruce were detected in the fly-over. Ten randomly selected bolts were evaluated as to the presence/absence of spruce beetle brood. The results are as follows: -ll- EMPTY NEW ADULTS PUPAE LARVAE 5 4 - 1 Half the bolts had not been attacked; the remaining five bolts had low numbers of new spruce beetle adults. It was felt that due to the low nembers of spruce beetle progeny; the downed material will not contribute significantly to the attack- ing spruce beetle population. Two 1 x 10 chain strip cruises were undertaken at STOP 4: the results are present- ed in the following tables: TABLE 4A: The condition of all spruce > than 5" dbh at one chain intervals starting at the edge of the ROW. OLD 1988 1990 PITCH- UNIN- CHAIN # — ATTACKS ATTACKS ATTACKS OUTS FESTED 1(START) 4 - - - 40 2 2 - 1 - 35 3 5 - ~ - 22 4 5 - 1 - 28 5 - - 7 - 22 6 1 - 1 ~ 29 7 3 - ~ - 27 8 1 - - - 19 9 1 - - ~ 29 10 - - - - 22 TOTAL 22 0 3 0 279 -l 2 - TABLE 4B: The condition of all spruce > than 5" dbh at one chain intervals starting at the edge of the ROW. CHAIN # 1(START) mOONOO AWN So TOTAL STOP 5: OLD 1988 1990 PITCH- UNIN- ATTACKS ATTACKS ATTACKS OUTS FESTED - 7 21 ~ - ~ 30 _ o - 35 _ 1 7 23 - - - 46 13 - - - 27 - - - 23 - - - 23 - - ~ 30 sm AOOHA A= {| WOOD ' ' ! x o . o 271 Very little recent spruce beetle activity has occurred in this area. There has been a slight (4 attacks vs. 0 attacks in 1988) increase in the number of 1990 vs. 1988 attacks. This is probably a indication of the favorable climatic conditions for spruce beetle develop- ment and attack that have occurred throughout the Kenai Peninsula for the past two summers. Located approximatley 8 miles south of STOP 4. Aerial survey detected only light scat- tered old spruce beetle caused tree mortality. A ground evaluation of ten bolts indicated a low population of beetle progeny in the clearing debris: two bolts were empty, 7 bolts had new adults, and 1 bolt had a few larvae. This small and scattered beetle population is not likely to produce a large attacking population. Two strip cruises were done and are presented in the following tables: +130 TABLE 5A: The condition of all spruce greater than 5" dbh at one chain intervals starting at the edge of the ROW. OLD 1988 1990 PITCH- UNIN- CHAIN # ATTACKS ATTACKS ATTACKS OUTS FESTED 1(START) 1 - - - 17 2 1 - 4 7 14 3 3 - 1 7 17 4 1 - - 7 15 5 4 - -- - 18 6 - ~ - - 24 7 - - a - 23 8 1 ~ a - 23 9 1 - - - 23 10 1 - a - 20 TOTAL 13 0 5 0 194 TABLE 5B: The condition of all spruce greater than 5" dbh at one chain intervals starting at the edge of the ROW. OLD 1988 1990 PITCH- UNIN- CHAIN # ATTACKS ATTACKS ATTACKS OUTS FESTED 41(START)-- - - - 16 2 1 - - - 10 3 - - 1 - 4 4 - 7 1 7 9 5 7 - 7 1 16 6 a - - - 15 7 - - - - 20 8 - - 1 1 15 9 4 - uw L 19 10 1 - - - 10 TOTAL 6 0 3 2 134 -14- Similar to STOP 4 the area surrounding STOP 5 is characterized by low levels of spruce beetle activity. The number of 1990 attacks is higher than what occurred in 1988 (8 vs. 0 respectively) but is more of a indication of general spruce beetle population build-up than a result of spruce beetles emerging from ROW clearing debris. ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY: STOP A: STOP B: STOP C: Right-of-way clearing debris was felled, bucked and burned. Ten randomly selected bolts were evaluated for beetle progeny; 70% of the bolts had no spruce beetle brood. The remaining bolts had a few larvae each. For the most part, the use of prescribed fire effectively destroyed any spruce beetle brood material. The aerial survey did not detect any standing spruce beetle killed trees; thus, no strip cruises were undertaken. Approximately 2 miles northeast of STOP B. The ROW clearing debris was felled, limbed, and scattered in this area. It was not bucked or burned. 90% of the evaluated logs were void of spruce beetle brood; only 1 log had low numbers of pupae. It is felt that the unseasonably wet weather of 1989 late summer and fall hastened the decomposition of the logs making them unsuitable as spruce beetle brood. The phloem tissue of many of the logs was “souring"/fermenting; making them unsuitable as beetle brood material. As no standing infested trees were observed during the aerial survey, strip cruises were not undertaken. However, a few border trees with unsuccessful attacks (pitch-outs) were observed. Approximately 2 miles northeast of STOP B. Aerial survey did not detect any standing beetle infested spruce (Fig. 7). Thus, strip cruises were not done. The ROW clearing debris was limbed, bucked, and scattered but not burned near STOP C. 80% of the evaluated bolts were void of spruce beetle brood; 20% of the bolts contained low numbers of new spruce beetle adults. Most of the spruce bolts had been attacked by Ips beetles. The beetles commonly attack "fresh" down material. Ips beetles rarely attack and kill standing live spruce in south-central Alaska. Accordingly Ips beetles are viewed positively as they out-compete spruce beetles for a finite amount of habitat. The down ROW clearing debris now is unsuitable as spruce beetle brood material. No further treatment of this material is necessary. -15- STOP D: Fig. 7. AEA ROW clearing through Sitka spruce South of Caribou Lake, the ROW passes through predominately Lutz spruce stands. The ROW clearing debris was felled, bucked, and scattered. Much of this material had been removed for personal use firewood. The evaluation of the bolts indicated that half the bolts had not been attacked by spruce beetle; the remaining bolts had low numbers of new adults. Due to the decomposed stage of the bolts and the few bolts remaining on the ground the ROW clearing debris near STOP D poses little further risk as spruce beetle breeding material. The aerial survey of the standing spruce surrounding the ROW at STOP D detected old, standing beetle caused mortality. Accordingly, two 1 acre strip cruises were done; the results are presented in the following tables: TABLE 6A: The condition of all spruce > than 5" dbh at one chain intervals starting at the edge of the ROW. CHAIN # 1(START) ~OONOMA WN So TOTAL OLD 1988 1990 PITCH- UNIN- ATTACKS ATTACKS ATTACKS OUTS FESTED 3 ~- 2 - 15 - - - - 18 - - - - 30 - - - 1 20 3 - - - 9 2 - - - 13 2 -- - - 20 1 - - - 17 1 ~ - - 20 4 - 1 - 23 16 0 3 1 201 -16- TABLE 6B: The condition of all spruce > than 5" dbh at one chain intervals starting from the edge of the ROW. OLD 1988 1990 PITCH- UNIN- CHAIN # — ATTACKS ATTACKS ATTACKS ouTs FESTED 1(START) ~ 2 i 14 2 - - - 22 - - - 17 - - ~ "1 5 ~ - 7 13 ~ - ~ 16 - 7 - 31 - - - 10 - 7 - 19 mOONOUAW oO1rnas} +~WOWW ' ! | TOTAL np = o nN = 160 There is a slight increase (4 trees) in spruce beetle activity within 1 chain of the ROW as compared to 1 tree recently attacked ten chains from the ROW. It appears that the recently infested trees maybe a result of ROW clearing activities. In any case, the build-up is not significant at this point. SUMMARY HOMER ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION: The transmission line clearing debris along the HEA ROW for the most part, is no longer a threat as spruce beetle breeding material. The majority of the material is more than two years old; too old to be of further use as breeding material (Table 7). STOPS 1 & 2 were located within an on-going 40,000 acre spruce beetle outbreak east of Clam Gulch. The origin of this outbreak was not due to beetles emerging from the downed ROW clearing debris as the outbreak was documented before the ROW clearing began. However, the ROW clearing material did help increase the intensity of the outbreak along the edges of the clearing as the majority of the 1988 and 1990 attacks occurred within 3 chains of the ROW (Table 8). Further south along the transmission corridor, bark beetle activity in the standing timber is low. However, strip cruises undertaken at STOP 3 indicate a recent increase in beetle activity in the standing timber bordering the ROW. The potential exists for the development of an outbreak in this area. A trap tree program would help reduce/eliminate the build-up of spruce beetles in this area. Further south along the ROW, spruce beetle activity in standing trees bordering the clearing is low (Table 8). If the number of spruce beetle infested trees increases, an annual trap tree program would aid in suppressing spruce beetle populations. As with all trap tree programs infested trap trees must be disposed of or treated in a timely fashion before beetle emergence. An increase in wind thrown trees is expected along the edges of the transmission corridor. Spruce is a shallow-rooted tree and is prone to up-rooting especially when the stand has been opened up. Wind thrown trees along the edge of the ROW could be left for one season; in essence, serving as a trap tree. These trees will be extremely attractive to dispersing spruce beetles. As previously mentioned, timely disposal of infested trap trees is mandatory. 7 ALASKA ENERGY AUTHORITY: For the most part, the treated ROW clearing debris is beyond the stage where it is suitable as spruce beetle brood material. An average of 75% of (Table 7) the evaluated bolts were void of spruce beetles. The remaining 25% had low numbers of spruce beetle brood. Many of the bolts were attacked by Ips beetles. The resulting Ips progeny probably consumed enough of the phloem tissue to render the bolts unsuitable as spruce beetle brood material. The aerial survey did not detect any active spruce beetle infestations bordering the AEA ROW. However, recent blowdown was observed along the edges of the ROW near STOPS B and C. As previously mentioned, fresh blowdown is highly attractive to spruce beetles as breeding sites. It would be beneficial to leave windthrown trees on the ground for no more than one year to absorb dispersing beetles that could otherwise attack standing trees. However, these wind-thrown trap trees must be disposed of/or treated before the spruce beetle progeny matures and disperses. TABLE 7: Summary of evaluation of 10 randomly selected bolts along Right-of-way. Plot # EMPTY 1/ NEW ADULTS PUPAE LARVAE 4 5 4 - 1 5 2 7 - 1 A 7 - - 3 B 9 - 1 - Cc 8 2 - - D 5 4 1 - 1/ Number in each column represents number of bolts with or without a certain life stage. -18- TABLE 8: Summary of 1 x 10 chain (1 acre) transects along HEA and AEA/Bradley Lake right-of-ways. PLOT OLD ATTACK RED TOP 1990 PITCH- UNIN- TOTAL # DEAD 1988 ATTACK ATTACK OUT FESTED 1 21 20 38 28 62 169 2 9 18 52 23 118 220 3 22 7 38 24 185 276 4A. 22 7 3 - 279 304 B. 26 - 1 - 271 298 5A. 13 - 5 - 194 212 B. 6 - 3 2 134 145 Da. 16 - 3 1 201 221 b. 21 - 2 1 160 184 -19- FOREST PEST MANAGEMENT RECOMMENDATIONS Forest Pest Management (FPM) undertakes annual forest insect and disease aerial surveys of Alaska forested lands. FPM will survey the HEA and AEA ROW’s on a yearly basis and notify each agency as to any spruce bark beetle build-up. If spruce bark beetle build-up is observed in green timber bordering the ROW’s, FPM recommends that both agencies undertake conventional trap tree programs. The use of felled trees to act as traps are designed to take advantage of the spruce beetles’ preference for such material. Trap trees may absorb up to ten times the number of beetles a standing tree will absorb. An excellent reference for the use of trap trees, their characteristics, deployment, and disposal measures is the Canadian publication cited in the Literature Cited section of this report (Hodgkinson 1985). If spruce blowdown occurs along the edges of the ROW’s, FPM recommends that these down trees be left for one spruce beetle flight season (May-August) to serve as trap trees. With any conventional trap tree program, trap trees must be removed or treated to kill the trapped beetles. Failure to extract or treat infested trap trees may actually increase the population in an area and prolong the infestation. de Ol LITERATURE CITED Dyer, E.D.A. & D.W. Taylor. 1971. Spruce Beetle Brood Production in Logging Slash and Wind-Thrown Trees in British Columbia. Can. For. Serv., Pac. For. Res. Ctr. Infor. Rpt: BC-X-62. 16pp. Hodgkinson, R.S. 1985. Use of Trap Trees for Spruce Beetle Management in British Columbia, 1979-1984: A Review with Recommendations. B.C. Ministry of Forests, Pest Management Report # 5. 39pp. Holsten, E.H. 1980. Spruce Beetle: Copper Valley Electric, USDA For. Serv. Alaska Region FPM Bio. Eval.: R10-80-4. 9pp. Holsten, E.H. 1981. Spruce Beetle: Copper Valley Electric, USDA For. Serv. Alaska Region FPM Bio. Eval.: R10-81-3. 13pp. Holsten, E.H. 1982. Spruce Beetle: Copper Valley Electric Assoc., Alaska Region FPM Bio. Eval.: R10-82-3. 12pp. Holsten, E.H. 1990. Spruce Beetle Activity in Alaska: 1920-1989. USDA For. Serv. Alaska Region FPM Tech. Rpt:R10-90-18. 28pp. Schmid, J.M. 1977. Guidelines for Minimizing Spruce Beetle Population in Logging Residuals. USDA For. Serv. REs. Paper: RM-185. 8 pp. Werner, R.A. 1978. The Spruce Beetle in Alaska Forests. P.N.W. For. & Range Exp. Stat. Leaflet. 8pp. USDA For. Serv. 1989. Forest Insect and Disease Conditions in Alaska - 1989. Alaska Region FPM Rpt: R10-89-C-1. 20pp. -21- APPENDIX A SPRUCE BEETLE Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kirby) (Coleoptera:Scolytidae) HOSTS: White, Sitka, Lutz, and rarely black spruce. DISTRIBUTION: Wherever spruce is found; a serious forest pest in southcentral Alaska throughout Cook Inlet and Kenai Peninsula. DAMAGE: Larvae feed beneath bark, usually killing affected trees. DESCRIPTION: Adult spruce beetles are maroon to black, cylindrical in shape, approximately 5 mm long and 3 mm wide. Larvae are stout, white, legless grubs, 6 mm long when full-grown. The pupae are soft-bodied, white, and have some adult features. BIOL- The life cycle of the spruce beetle may vary from one to three years, with a two-year OGY: cycle being the most common. Temperature plays an important part in determin- ing the length of time required for beetle development. Adult beetles become active in the spring (late May -- early June) when air temperatures reach a threshold of 160 C (610 F). At this time, beetles emerge from trees in which they overwintered and fly in search of new host material. These dispersal flights may be short-range even though beetles are capable of flying for several miles without stopping. Spruce beetles prefer to attack the sides and bottom surfaces of windthrown or other down materials which have been on the ground less than one year. In the absence of such host material, large-diameter live trees may be attacked instead, and if beetle populations are high, these trees may be killed. Beetle attacks, whether on windthrown or on standing timber, are mediated by pheromones which insure that individual trees will be attacked "en masse’, and fully colonized by subsequent broods. Trees that are mass-attacked form attractive centers centers which result in groups of trees being killed by spillover attacks. Female beetles initiate attacks and begin constructing an egg gallery in the cambium parallel to the grain of the tree. They are joined by males and after mating, lay eggs in small niches along the sides of the egg gallery. Most eggs will hatch by August. As they feed in the cambium, larvae construct their own galleries perpendicu- lar to the egg gallery. Normally, spruce beetles pass the first winter in the larval stage, resume feeding in the next spring, and pupate by summer. About two weeks later, pupae transform into adults which pass the second winter, either in the old pupation site, or more commonly, in the bases of infested trees. The following spring, two years after initial attack, the new adults emerge and attack new host material. In some years when temperatures are abnormally high, or on certain warmer microsites, spruce beetles may complete their development within one season and new adults will emerge one year after attack. Most major outbreaks of spruce beetle have originated from stand disturbances-- blowdown, logging, or right-of-way clearance. Stand susceptibility to beetle attack is influenced by stocking, with slow growth and moisture stress playing an important part in predisposing trees to attack. -22- APPENDIX B HEA BACKGROUND INFORMATION DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES / | DIVISION OF LAND AND WATER MANAGEMENT — Coe SOUTHCENTRAL REGION 4 ANCHORAGE, ALASKA 99510-7005 PHONE: (907) 561-2020 / BILLS rlELD, GOVERNOR December 5, 1986 Dee. s, ISPEQRa . Thomas S. Small, Engineering and Operations Certified Mail #P234060531 Homer Electric Association Return Receipt Requested P.O. Box 429 . Homer, AK 99603 Re: Letter of Entry; AOL 217541 Right-of-Way Permit Application Fritz Creek/Soldotna Transmission Line Dear Mr. Small: The Alaska Division of Forestry has recommended that burning of spruce trees greater than 4" in diameter is the best and most cost effective method for the safe disposal of spruce timber to prevent spruce bark beetle infestation. The Alaska Power Authority has had recent field experience which also indicates this. Recently, concerned individuals in Homer have also provided us with new information on the bark beetle problem in the Homer area. They indicated that spruce logs felled and cut into 24" segments in this area do not dry quickly enough to prevent spruce bark beetle infestation. Therefore, as discussed with you on the telephone December 2, 1986, we are amending the Letter-of-Entry for the Fritz Creek/Soldotna line to allow burning as a preferred method for the disposal of spruce timber. Page 9 of the Letter-of-Entry for the Fritz Creek/Soldotna line ADL 217541 (see the attached original Letter-of-Entry) is the only page to be amended by this letter. The amendments are, one, elimination of stipulation IV C as it results in rooted standing dead spruce trees which im turn provide for a- potential outbreak of spruce bark beetle. Secondly, stipulation IV G, which is amended, will appear as follows: G. To prevent the outbreak of spruce bark beetle infestation, logs greater than 4" in diameter which are not removed from the cleared area, shall be disposed of by using one of the alternatives below. 1. Spruce: = a. The logs shall be burned enough to prevent spruce bark beetle infestation. Burning shall be in compliance with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's regulation 18 AAC 50.030 and Alaska Department of Natural Resources permit requirements. Thomas S. Small December 5, 1986 Page 2 b. A hydroaxe may be used to clear and scatter the trees enough to retard spruce bark beetle infestation, or c. Logs may be cut into 24 inch maximum length sections. Sections shall be ‘scattered (not piled) in open areas of the right-of-way to permit rapid drying to retard spruce bark beetle outbreak. Sections shall not be covered by slash, brush or other residue. 2. All other tree species: a. Logs shall be cut into 10 and 15 feet lengths and placed so they cannot roll. b. A hydroaxe may be used to clear and scatter the trees. We recognize these changes as being technically, environmentally, and economically beneficial to the HEA Fritz Creek/Soldotna transmission line project. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call Deborah Heebner at 762-2274. Sincerely, Regional Manager Attachments cc: Samuel Matthews, Manager of Major Projects, HEA Paul S. Stempin, Project Coordinator, Gilbert/Commonwealth MJH/dkh/ec/0161L TSTOMER ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION > ADL 217541 April 26, 1985 Page 9 (amended December 5, 1986) HEA shall clear individual danger trees, by disposing of as stated in Section IV G. A danger tree is a tree either within or outside the right-of-way which, in the opinion of HEA, represents a hazard to the normal operation of the transmission line. All reasonable precautions shall be taken during operations to prevent unnecessary damage to residual trees. After construction, HEA shall not restrict or charge the public for all harvested timber over 4 inches in diameter at breast height. Under the terms of the LOE the HEA shall at its discretion make available to the public all felled timber. All harvested trees shall be limbed and all slash scattered to lie within 24 inches of the ground. Uprooted stumps shall not be piled and no berm piles or rows of any kind are permitted. To prevent the outbreak of spruce bark beetle infestation, logs greater than 4" in diameter which are not removed, shall be disposed of by using one of the alternatives below. 1. Spruce: a. The logs shall be burned enough to prevent spruce bark beetle infestation. Burning shall be in compliance with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation's regulation 18 AAC 50.030 and Alaska Department of Natural Resources permit requirements. b. A hydroaxe may be used to clear and scatter the trees enough to retard spruce bark beetle infestation, or c. Logs may be cut into 24 inch maximum length sections. Sections shall be scattered (not piled) in open areas of the right-of-way to permit rapid drying to retard spruce bark beetle outbreak. Sections shall not be covered by slash, brush or other residue. 2. All other tree species: a. Logs shall be cut into 10 and 15 feet lengths and placed so they cannot roll. b. A hydroaxe may be used to clear and scatter the trees. Removal of brush slash and immature trees will be accomplished by any of the following three methods: 1) spreading and scattering in the adjacent brush area without damaging other trees; 2) chipping (or hydroaxing) and scattering in such a way as to preclude their being washed into any watercourse; or 3) piling and burning in accordance with procedures and practices established by the air quality regulations of the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation and the Division of Forestry. Department of Service Suite 206 Agriculture > Anchor “p, AK 99501 Reply to: 3400 Date: August 28, 1987 Mr. T. Small - -- Manager - Operations & Engineering Homer Electric . 3977 Lake Street Homer, AK 99603 Dear Tom: I enjoyed our visit last Friday.-- Enclosed is a-trip report pertaining to our August 14 evaluation of the on-going HEA Right-of-way clearing. Also enclosed are a few general brochures pertaining to the spruce beetle. , Again, thank you for your cooperation and assistance. It was helpful having Dave Bear along to explain what, how, and when the clearing was done, as well as what is being proposed. If you need further clarification or information, give me a call at 271-2573. If you wish, we will be available to evaluate the potential of spruce beetle build-up in the remaining right-of-way clearing. Sincerely, EDWARD H. HOLSTEN-(Dr.) Acting Group Leader, FPM Enclosures (3) ec: J. Eggleston, S&PF J. Peterson, DNR, Soldotna FS-6200-28(7-82) . EV “VATION OF SPRUCE BEETLE BUILDUFW FELLED SPRUCE ALONG H.E.A. RIGHT-OF-WAY CLEARING AUGUST 14, 1987 INTRODUCTION Forest Pest Management was requested by Homer Electric Association (Homer, AK) to undertake an evaluation of possible spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) buildup in down right-of-way material. Homer Electric (H.E.A.) is presently clearing a 150' wide transmission right-of-way from Soldotna to the Fritz Creek sub-station near Homer. The spruce beetle has been at epidemic levels for the past seven years throughout the Kenai Peninsula; close to 100,000 acres of spruce have been infested. The majority of the beetle infestations occur on the northern portion of the Kenai Peninsula. However, scattered pockets of beetle caused spruce mortality occur as far south as Kachemak Bay. Small populations of beetles are always present in spruce forests. Most of the time, the number of beetles is kept low by parasites and predators of the insect. But when conditions are right, spruce beetles may suddenly increase to epidemic numbers. The right conditions include an abundance of breeding material accompanied by an extremely dry summer. Beetles attack and breed in fresh wind thrown trees, felled trees, injured trees, and logging slash (App. A). When the beetle population outgrows the supply of downed and injured trees, they move into nearby live, large diameter spruce. METHODS An aerial survey of the right-of-way clearing was undertaken on August 14, 1987 by FPM Personnel using a 206 Jet Ranger. Dave Bear (H.E.A.) participated in the survey. Six areas were ground checked (Fig. 1). All spruce, 4" in diameter and larger, were limbed, bucked and scattered along the right-of-way from Soldotna to the Tustumena Lake Road. Two ground evaluations were located in this area. From Tustumena Lake Road to the end of the right-of-way clearing near the North Fork of Deep Creek, four ground checks were carried out. Downed spruce in these four areas was either limbed, bucked to a 12' length, and scattered or just felled in place. Originally, the contract for the powerline right-of-way clearing called for bucking into 2' lengths and scattering all spruce 4" in diameter or larger. This was carried out to Tustumena Lake. Due to a contractal problem, the remaining felled spruce, or to be felled, will only be bucked to a 12' length, limbed, and scattered. In all cases, stump heights were kept to a minimum of 12" or less. Stumps of this height provide minimal breeding material for the spruce beetle and are not considered a hazard. f 4 Six areas for ground check (Fig. 1) were chosen due to the amount of large diameter spruce felled for the clearing. The stands bordering the right-of-way either had signs of beetle activity (not a result of the power-line clearing) or could possibly sustain an infestation. Much of the right-of-way clearing ---- App jimate Power-line Clearing 1 Ground Check Point Figure 1. Spruce Beetle Evaluation: H.E.A. Power-line Right-of-Way; Aug. 1987 2 es ~ py Tater fous pau | was located in areas of minimal spruce beetle hazard and include: (1) Small diameter spruce located in predominately hardwood stands, and (2) Black spruce stands in and bordering muskegs. At least ten logs were evaluated for beetle presence, development, and quantity of brood in each of the six areas. RESULTS : STOP 1: This area is located on a knoll surrounded by a mixed hardwood/spruce forest. Trees were felled in 1986 and all spruce 4" diameter or larger were limbed, bucked into 2' lengths, and scattered along the clearing. All felled trees were scattered parallel to the direction of the right-of-way. Spruce beetle activity (1986) was noted along the sides and bottoms of the logs. Any brood produced dispersed early this summer indicating a one year life cycle. The downed spruce had sufficiently dried and degraded: no 1987 spruce beetle activity was noted in the log sections. No spruce beetle activity was noted in the large diameter standing spruce bordering the right-of-way. Consequently what few beetles that were reared in the downed material had little effect on the standing spruce. The 2' log sections have sufficiently dried and degraded and are of no risk from now on as spruce beetle brood material. STOP 2: The right-of-way passes through a predominately Lutz and black spruce forest in this area. Trees were felled in 1986 and all spruce was treated in.a similar fashion as STOP 1 (e.g. 2' lengths). Beetle activity in the down material as well as the standing fringe spruce was similar to STOP 1: minimal spruce beetle activity. The 2' spruce bolts have dried and degraded to such an extent that this material poses little risk as spruce beetle brood material. Many of the 2' bolts had substantial engraver beetle (Ips sp.) attacks and brood was evident along the top and sides of the bolts. It has been shown that spruce beetles and Ips may compete for food and habitat if Ips populations are abundant. The more rapid Ips larval development interferes with the elongation of spruce beetle larval galleries. Since Ips beetles are a low risk to standing spruce in south-central Alaska, they may be working against the spruce beetle in downed material. STOP 3: The right-of-way passes through a predominately Lutz spruce stand. Spruce were felled in late winter of 1987, limbed and bucked into 12' lengths and scattered throughout the clearing. The ground check indicated heavy Ips attack and brood development along the tops and sides of the down logs. Some spruce beetle attacks and brood development were evident along the sides and bottoms of the logs. It is felt however, that the quantity of spruce beetle brood is low enough to pose little threat to the bordering live spruce. Down spruce is suitable for spruce beetle attack for two seasons in south-central Alaska. It is most susceptible during the first summer. Accordingly, we can expect some attacks and brood development in this material next year, but it should be low due to the sone aed drying and degradation of the logs. STOP 4: The right-of-way passes through a Lutz spruce stand. The aerial reconnaisance detected old (3-4 yr.) beetle activity scattered throughout the stand. Many large spruce were felled, unlimbed and not bucked, in spring of 1987. The ground check of these trees showed low levels of spruce and Ips beetle inspite of favorable breeding conditions (whole trees). Dave Bear Sot, (H.E.A.) mentioned that crews will shortly enter this area and limb, buck (12! length), and scatter the larger spruce. STOP 5: Aerial reconnaisance detected moderate old and recent beetle kill in the predominately Lutz spruce stand surrounding the right-of-way. This beetle activity is not associated with the right-of-way clearing as the spruce were felled this spring. Spruce beetles take two to three years to buildup in downed trees before populations are sufficiently large to attack standing ' trees. Right-of-way spruce were felled, limbed, and bucked into 12' sections. Spruce logs were scattered throughout the clearing. The 12' spruce logs had little evidence of spruce beetle attack and brood. Spruce beetle brood was mostly in the early larval stages; indicating delayed development. Ips were encountered in low to moderate numbers along the tops and sides of the logs. ~ STOP 6: freed_map-descriptier). Right-of-way passes through a predominately Lutz spruce stand. Little spruce beetle activity was observed in. the surrounding standing trees. Spruce were felled late June of 1986. No limbing or bucking was undertaken. Dave Bear stated that crews will re-enter this Fall and limb, buck (12' lengths), and scatter the spruce. The ground check found minimal spruce and Ips beetle activity in the down material. ~ SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Generally, the majority of the downed material evaluated along the power-line has been minimally impacted by the spruce beetle. This came as somewhat of a surprise, especially in those areas which contained. felled, unlimbed spruce (STOPS 4 & 6). Such material is normally quite attractive to spruce beetles or breeding sites. It is felt however, that the abnormally cool and-wet spring -oxS@iieéitmed throughout south-central Alaska this year was not conducive for spruce beetle flight and subsequent attacks. However, as already mentioned, spruce beetles are active in the standing spruce near the right-of-way, especially surrounding STOP 5. This activity is not a result of the powerline clearing. It is not known whether these beetle spots will increase or subside. Specifically: STOPS 1 & 2: This material was bucked (2' lengths) and scattered in the power-line clearing in 1986. The material has dried and degraded sufficiently to be of no future risk of spruce beetle build-up. STOP 3: Little spruce beetle activity present. This area will probably not support spruce beetle build-up next year but a 1988 ground check might be appropriate. STOPS 4, 5 & 6: Although these areas sustained little beetle pressure, spruce logs may still be attractive throughout 1988. Down spruce should be limbed, bucked into 4 - 6' lengths, logs scattered and rolled (e.g. reverse top and bottom sides). This will hasten the drying of the phloem tissue and reduce the susceptibility of this material for spruce beetle build-up. It appears that the downed spruce along the power-line presents little risk for potential beetle build-up. The tree cutting was, and will be carried out, in such a way to minimize spruce beetle build-up. It does not seem necessary (biologically or economically) to remove the down material at this point. However, it is recommended that yearly (Aug. or Sept.) spot checks be undertaken of the downed logs (less than 2 years on the ground) throughout those areas containing Lutz and Sitka spruce stands. In general, slash and cull logs are usually. infested by beetles the first time they are available during an attack period, less so during the following year. If large spruce beetle build-ups are encountered in the downed material, the following options should be considered: . (1) De-barking the downed logs will kill developing beetles andGender the logs unsuitable for future spruce beetle attack. (2). Scorching the bark of the downed logs will also kill developing beetle larvae. Burning the infested trees should be undertaken during fall or early winter with minimum risks to other values if adequate care is taken. A clean burn of the bark is necessary for brood destruction. (3) There are insecticides registered by the Environmental Protection Agency for spruce beetle suppression. Before considering use of such insecticides, check with Federal and State authorities for precautions and/or restrictions. It should be kept in mind that spruce beetles are normally found in downed spruce throughout the State. Their presence does not necessarily constitute a hazard. Even if large populations are found building up in the down material, economics, surrounding forest composition, access, etc. may preclude the use of suppression techniques. Although logging slash is potentially a good breeding place for spruce beetles, in most cases it absorbs more beetles than it produces. Wind-thrown trees in forest shade are the most productive breeding sites for spruce beetles. Appendix A Spruce Beetle Coleoptera: Scolytidae Dendroctonus rufipennis (Kby.) HOST - Sitka, Lutz, white, and rarely black spruce. DAMAGE - Kills standing trees. DESCRIPTION - Adult spruce beetles are dark brown to black, cylindrical in shape, approximately 5 mm long and 3mm wide. The larvae are stout, white, legless grubs, 6 mm long at maturity. The pupae are white, soft-bodied, and adult shaped. BIOLOGY - The spruce beetle generally has a two-year life cycle. A one-year life cycle is possible when climatic conditions (warm spring and summer _ temperatures) are favorable. Adult and larval activity begins in May when daytime temperatures reach about 6.7 C (44 F). Recently emerged adult beetles disperse in search of susceptible host material during late May and early June when daytime ambient temperatures are at least 14.5 C (60 F). Dispersing adults can fly long distances, over seven miles nonstop. Adult mortality during dispersal may exceed 50 percent. Females are attracted to windthrow and other downed material and begin the attack; males arrive later. Beetles prefer to attack on the sides and bottoms of downed material. Under such conditions, temperature and moisture regimes are favorable for brood development and survival. Unpublished data indicate that windthrown trees can remain attractive through two attack periods. Males and other females are attracted via sex and aggregating pheromones. D. rufipennis is monogamous, and females deposit eggs in niches along the sides of the vertical egg gallery in a standing tree. Egg galleries, except for the terminal portion, are packed with frass and boring material. Most eggs hatch by August. Larvae predominate during the first overwintering period, although other life stages may be present. Most of the larvae pupate in the following summer; the pupal period lasts 10 - 15 days. The adults may overwinter in their pupal sites or migrate to the base of infested trees. This migration is an adjustment to cold temperature survival. The following spring (approximately two years after attack) adults emerge and attack new host material. In general, females only attack once. Most D. rufipennis outbreaks ip standing timber have originated in blowdown, although logging residuals (quill logs) may be a contributing factor. In the Rocky Mountains and probably ‘Allaska, the susceptibility of standing spruce decreases in the following order: (1) Large diameter trees along creek bottoms, (2) better stands on benches, (3) poorer stands on ridges and benches, (4) mixtures of spruce and other species, and (5) stands of immature trees. In the lower 48 states, parasites and predators help reduce and maintain spruce beetle populations at low levels. However, the effect of predation and parasitism on spruce beetle populations in Alaska is not well known. In the Rocky Mountains, Northern 3-toed, hairy, and downy woodpeckers can consume 4o - 98 percent of beetle brood during outbreak conditions. These predators are quite common in Alaska in beetle infested areas and may contribute to the decline of epidemic insect populations. Low temperatures are effective controls if the cold spells occur early before the insects become cold hardy. CONTROL - Sanitation measures are effective in reducing bark beetle problems. When logging infested areas, stumps should be cut as low as possible as spruce beetles can breed in high stumps. Cull logs and large diameter slash (10.5 cm) should be disposed of. After limbing, cull logs and tops should not be piled, but positioned away from any shade. If subsequent evaluation shows high beetle populations breeding in such material, they should then be exposed to solar heat, burned, or debarked. : Another applied control is the use of "Trap-Trees", which are felled prior to beetle flight. Such material is highly attractive to dispersing spruce beetles. After the beetles have entered the trap logs, the logs are then burned, or debarked and salvaged. Caution is required to prevent bark beetles from emerging at the mill and infesting neighboring stands. In summary, some causes of infestations that can be avoided through removal are: High stumps, cull logs and large diameter slash, and all shaded slash. Windthrown trees at edges of logging areas. Trees felled for logging road construction. Susceptibility of spruce stands to beetle attack depends in part on favorable climatic conditions for brood development, availability of host material (large diameter old growth, blowdown) or spruce stands weakened by defoliation, flooding, or prolonged drought. ) ) United States Forest S&PF 201 E. 9th Ave. Department of Service Suite 201 Agriculture Anchorage, AK 99501 Reply to: 3400 September ‘2, 1988 Mr. T. Small Manager-Operations & Engineering Homer Electric Association 3977 Lake Street Homer, AK 99603 Dear Tom: Enclosed is a trip report pertaining to our August 31 evaluation of the on-going HEA right-of-way clearing with respect to potential spruce beetle build-up. Once again, it was quite helpful having Dave Bear along to explain what, how, and when the clearing was done, as well as what is being proposed. If you need further clarification or information, give me or Gene Lessard a call at 271-2575. We will be available next summer to evaluate the potential of spruce beetle build-up in the remaining right-of-way clearing. Sincerely, Edward H. Holsten Forest Entomologist Enclosure cc: G.Lessard, FPM : J.Peterson-DNR, Soldotna inn emery OF SPRUCE BEETLE BUII.QUP IN FELL )SPRUCE ALONG H.E.A. SOLDOTNA-F 'Z CREEK RIGHT-OF-WAY CLEARING AUGUST 31, 1988 INTRODUCTION Forest Pest Management (FPM) was requested by Homer Electric Association (HEA) to re-evaluate possible spruce beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) -buildup in down right-of-way material. HEA is presently clearing a 100' wide transmission right-of-way from Soldotna to the Fritz Creek sub-station north-east of Homer. The spruce beetle has been at epidemic levels for the past eight years throughout the Kenai Peninsula; close to 100,000 acres of spruce have been infested. The majority of the beetle infestations occur on the northern portion of the Kenai Peninsula. However, scattered pockets of beetle caused spruce mortality occur as far south as Kachemak Bay. For example, scattered spruce beetle caused mortality has been occurring for the last few years on 41,000 acres south-west of Tustemena Lake (Fig. 1). The infested area surrounds portions of the cleared right-of-way. Small populations of beetles are always present in spruce forests. Most of the time, the number of beetles is kept low by parasites and predators as well as climatic conditions which help prevent population buildup. When conditions are right however, spruce beetles may suddenly increase to epidemic numbers. The right conditions include an abundance of breeding material accompanied by dry springs and summers. Beetles attack and breed in fresh wind thrown trees, felled trees, injured trees, and logging slash. When the beetle population outgrows the supply of downed and injured trees, they move into nearby live, large diameter spruce. An aerial survey of the right-of-way clearing was undertaken last summer (8/14/87) by FPM personnel. Six areas were ground checked (Fig. 1). All spruce, 4" in diameter and larger, had been limbed, bucked and scattered along the right-of-way from Soldotna to the Tustumena Lake Road. Two ground checks were located in this area. From Tustumena Lake Road to the end of the cleared right-of-way near the North Fork of Deep Creek, four ground checks were carried out. Downed spruce in these four areas had either been limbed, bucked to a 12' length, and scattered or just felled in place. The remaining section of right-of-way from North Fork of Deep Creek to the Fritz Creek Sub-station is scheduled for vegetation clearing this winter (1988/89). The results of last year's evaluation indicated: STOPS 1&2: The material had been bucked (2' lengths) and scattered in the power-line clearing in 1986. The downed material was dried and sufficiently degraded to be of no future risk of spruce beetle build-up. STOP 3: Little spruce beetle activity was noted in the 1987 ground check. It was decided, based on the low level of beetle activity, that this area would probably not support spruce beetle build-up next year. STOPS 4,5&6: Although these areas sustained little beetle pressure in 1987, spruce logs may still remain attractive throughout 1988. It was decided that these areas should be re-evaluated in 1988. Likewise, down spruce was limbed, bucked into 4-6' lengths, logs scattered and rolled throughout the winter of 1987/88. These practices were believed to hasten the drying of the phloem tissue and reduce the susceptibility of this material for spruce *T aunbly ds “8861 ‘L861 sAeM-JO-BYHLY BUL{-19MOd *Sny *Y°3°H :UOLZENLeAZ B[}9ag VoNA AYLALZOY aL}aeg aonuds pausrie > i sqUuLog Aaya,“ nOUs I Bulsea[) auLl[-uaMog azeuLxouddy ---- beetle build-up. In summary, it ap,eared in 1987 that the downed sp_uce along the power-line presented little risk for potential beetle build-up. The tree cutting was carried out in such a way to minimize spruce beetle build-up. It did not seem necessary (biologically or economically) to remove the down material. However, it was recommended that yearly (July or Aug.) spot checks be undertaken of the down logs (less than 2 years on the ground) throughout those areas containing Lutz and Sitka spruce stands. In general, slash and cull logs are usually infested by beetles the first time they are available during an attack period, less so during the following year. The following report summarizes the findings of an August 31, 1988 re-evaluation of the downed material along the HEA power-line. METHODS An aerial survey and re-evaluation of the right-of-way material was undertaken on August 31, 1988 by FPM personnel using a using a 206 Jet Ranger. Dave Bear (HEA) participated in the survey. It was originally hoped to re-evaluate STOPS 4, 5 & 6 as well as take a look at the remaining vegetation to be cleared this winter (Deep Creek to Fritz Creek). Due to poor flying conditions, re-evaluations were made only at STOPS 4 & 5. Likewise, poor weather conditions prohibited the aerial survey of the proposed right-of-way clearing. An assessment of beetle progeny in the downed material was made at STOPS 4 & 5. RESULTS STOP 4: The right-of way passes through Lutz spruce and mixed spruce-hardwood stands. FPM aerial surveys have detected old and on-going scattered spruce beetle activity throughout this area. This beetle activity in the standing timber is not a result of the power-line clearing as much of the standing tree mortality occurred before right-of-way clearing. Most of the felled spruce have been limbed and bucked into 10-12' lengths. The ground check of this down material showed: low levels of spruce. and ‘Ips. beetle new adults. STOP 5: FPM- aerial reconnaisance surveys have detected old and recent spruce beetle caused mortality in the predominately Lutz spruce stand surrounding the right-of-way. Similar to STOP 4, this beetle activity is not associated with the right-of-way clearing. Right-of-way spruce had been felled, limbed, and bucked into 12' sections which were scattered throughout the clearing. The bottom surfaces of the larger diameter spruce logs had good population levels of new spruce beetle adults. Little evidence of spruce or Ips beetle activity was noted along the tops or sides of the spruce logs. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Generally, the majority of the downed material evaluated along the power-line has been minimally impacted by the spruce beetle after two years. Low numbers of new adults were encountered in some, but not all of the larger diameter spruce bolts. These new adults will emerge next spring. Dependent on weather conditions, the 1989 spring dispersal could result in increased mortality of standing large diameter spruce bordering the power-line right-of-way. It is anticipated however. “that increased mortality wil] e minimal. As already mentioned, spruce bee «ses have been active for a numb. of years in the standing spruce surrounding the right-of-way, especially near STOPS 4 & 5. This activity is not a result of the power-line clearing. It is not known whether these beetle spots will increase or subside. The downed spruce along the power-line presents little risk for potential spruce beetle build-up. It does not seem necessary (biologically or economically) to remove or treat the downed material. However, it is recommended that spot checks be undertaken along the power-line including SPOTS 4, 5 & 6 next July (1989). These spot checks will determine levels of standing Spruce mortality resulting from dispersal flights of new adults which were reared in the downed spruce. If the July 1989 evaluation determines that large numbers of standing spruce are becoming infested, the following option should be considered: STANDING LETHAL TRAP TREES: Treating a number of uninfested, large diameter spruce along the powerline right-of-way with Carbaryl (SEVIN). This nsecticide is currently registered as a preventive spray against the spruce beetle by the Environmental Protection Agency. The treated trees will then be baited with a synthetic pheromone which will insure that the trees will become heavily attacked by new dispersing adults. However, the attacking beetles will be killed when they come in contact with the treated bark of the baited trees (trap trees). The advantage of this tactic is that dispersing beetles can be manipulated into attacking selected trees and killed. One application of 1-2% Carbaryl (98-99% water) has protected spruce in Alaska for almost three years. If this trap tree option is considered, treatment should be undertaken before spring of 1990. Forest Pest Management could provide HEA with guidance, project planning, and would be willing to cooperate during implementation with manpower and equipment. As previously mentioned, we were unable to fly the proposed right-of-way clearing from Deep Creek to Fritz Creek. Never-the-less, a number of preventive measures were proposed. Spruce beetles are of concern only where the right-of-way crosses white, Lutz, or Sitka spruce stands where standing spruce are of large diameter. That is, spruce beetles rarely attack standing spruce less than six inches in diameter. Thus, treatment is not needed in hardwood stands, black spruce-muskeg areas, etc. Large diameter felled spruce should be treated in the following manner: all. spruce greater than 12" in diameter should be felled, limbed, and bucked into 4' lengths. The bucked material should be left scattered, not piled, in the open right-of-way. All spruce less than 12" in diameter should be felled, limbed and can be bucked into 12' lengths. We originally thought that bucking to 2 or 4' lengths would minimize spruce beetle build-up. However, preliminary results of a two year FPM study have indicated that there are minimal differences in numbers and survival of spruce beetles which have attacked and bred in 2, 4, 8, or 16' bolts. We hope to have the final results of this bucking.study published and distributed this winter. It should be kept in mind that spruce beetles are normally found in downed spruce throughout the State. Their presence does not necessarily constitute a hazard. Even if large populations are found building up in the down material, economics, surrounding forest composition, access, etc. may preclude the use of suppression techniques. Although logging slash and right-of-way cleared material are potentially good breeding sites for spruce beetles, in most cases they absorb more beetles than: they produce. Wind-thrown trees in forest shade are the most productive breeding sites for spruce beetles. i STAVE ye is A Jib NS K i / / STEVE COWPER, GOVERNOR DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES / PO. BOX 7-005 ANCHORAGE. ALASKA 99510 DIVISION OF FORESTRY PHONE (907) 561-2020 9-3185 September 1, 1989 Mr. Tom Small Manager, Operations & Engineering Homer Electric Association 3977 Lake Street Homer, AK 99603 RE: Field trip on 8/25/89 Dear Mr. Small: Enclosed is a trip report pertaining to my 8/25/89 evaluation of your company's right-of-way clearing between Homer and Tustumena Lake with respect to the influence of this project on spruce bark beetle activity. I especially appreciate the cooperation and assistance of Dave Bear. He readily answered my flood of questions and was most knowledgeable of the entire project. If you need further clarification of the enclosed report or any other information you might have concerning the subject, please do not hesitate to call me. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance this year or next. Sincerely, [adit David W. Orr Insect & Disease Forester Enclosure cc: Gene Lessard, USFS, IFPM Ed Holsten, USFS, IFPM ck Tiorper, DL¢0/4 EVALUATION OF SPRUCE BARK BEETLE ACTIVITY ALONG H.E.A. RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN HOMER AND TUSTUMENA LAKE AUGUST 25, 1989 The state's Integrated Forest Pest Management section (IFPM) was requested by Homer Electric Association (HEA) to evaluate forest pest conditions within or adjacent to the recently cleared transmission line right-of-way which runs between Homer and Soldotna. The specific section of the clearing project which was requested for inspection this year was south of Tustumena Lake. The purpose of the inspection was to determine if the spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) is utilizing slash created by the clearing project to make significant population gains. The purpose was also to determine if there could be any adverse effects on adjacent stands of timber if spruce bark beetles are using the slash. The spruce beetle has been at epidemic levels on the Kenai Peninsula since the mid-1970s. Although the northern portion of the peninsula has received the greatest impact to date,. major infestations are also occurring around Katchemak Bay and to the east of Clam Gulch. The H.E.A. project goes directly through this latter infestation area, but there is also evidence of older beetle activity along much of the length of the line. Bark beetles are nearly always present in the forest although their numbers are usually small. This is a situation commonly referred to as an endemic population. Most of the time, beetle populations are kept in check by predators, parasites and climatical conditions. They are also kept in check in those forested areas where the trees are generally healthy and growing vigorously ...greater than four millimeters per five year increment. When the system of checks and balances gives way to conditions optimum for bark beetle proliferation, however, the results can be an explosive increase in beetle populations. Such conditions include an unmanaged forest reaching maturity and resultant loss of tree vigor; fresh wind thrown trees; moisture stress in trees; newly created slash caused by land clearing or disturbance; wildland or prescribed fire effects; and logging activities. Bark beetles will take advantage of any opportunity to expand their populations and when they outgrow their supply of downed or injured trees, they will begin attacking adjacent live timber trying to overwhelm the natural defenses of the trees. Depending on beetle population levels at this point, they may be able to kill the trees outright or else progressively weaken the trees for subsequent attacks. Concerning the above information, what I found during my inspection was a potpourri of conditions. Since time was somewhat limited, I chose not to stop at the obvious areas where bark beetle problems Homer Electric September 1, 1989 Page 2 of 5 could be expected. Instead, Dave Bear and I stopped at transition points or places where problems were least likely. Our stop points are shown on the attached map. OBSERVATIONS 1. Bark beetles, both Dendroctonus and Ips, were observed in each of the spruce bolts and pieces that we inspected at every stop. Ips, however, were generally only present in the top quadrant of bolts which had good exposure to sunlight. If the top of the bolt was partially or fully shaded by slash or herbaceous vegetation, then the top quadrant of the bolt usually had Dendroctonus as well. The sides and bottom of the bolts were exclusive to Dendroctonus. 2. The area immediately southeast of Clam Gulch or southwest of Tustumena Lake has up to 30 percent recent mortality in the standing timber due to spruce bark beetle activity. Dave Bear said he thought this land was primarily owned by Cook Inlet Region Incorporated (CIRI). The spruce bark beetle was in this stand because it is a very old age forest of fairly dense stocking. It was quite obvious that tree vigor was uniformly poor and the forest is easy prey for the beetles. As a result, bark beetle populations are growing in this area, however, they have done this to date without the benefit of "windfall" slash generated from your right-of-way clearing project. By next year, when the beetle larvae currently in the slash emerge as adults, this potentially large population could have a significant effect on the forest adjacent to the powerline project. 3. On either side of Deep Creek, but primarily south of this drainage, forest health or tree vigor appeared to be very good. This was a relatively young stand of well stocked spruce and I did not observe any spruce bark beetle activity throughout the adjacent standing forest. I did notice a recent forest fire about four to five miles west of the clearing project. Because of the many scorched trees along the periphery of the fire, I would expect fairly heavy bark beetle use of those damaged trees. When the effects of the fire are combined with the heavy beetle populations observed in the slash generated by your project, there is a good chance that some tree killing will commence in this area beginning in 1990. Unless there is a serious draught or other cataclysmic event which adversely effects tree vigor in this area, however, the recent buildup of beetles should be a fairly short duration event. 4. South of Caribou Hills, dropping into the Homer area, most of the slash had been salvaged by local people collecting Homer Electric Sept. 1, 1989 .Page 3 of 5 firewood. I do not foresee any problems in this area which could result from your project. This area, however, has the highest public visibility and there is evidence that spruce bark beetles are endemic all along this south facing slope which parallels Katchemak Bay. From a purely public relations point of view, I recommend that you immediately destroy any trees which become infested with beetles during the next several years. The time to cut infested trees down is shortly after they turn red. That is the point when the tree is clearly dead but the beetles are still in the tree. If you wait until the beetles have completed their lifecycle and have emerged in even greater numbers to attack other trees, then the impact of beetle activity rapidly becomes apparent to the public. SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Short term recommendations: 1. HEA and APA (Bradley Lake Power Project) should try to conduct site visits to both projects to compare similarities and differences of efforts to prevent bark beetles from capitalizing on these disturbances. There should also be coordination to determine effectiveness of various techniques in terms of what worked and did not work. This could be a very valuable exchange of technological information which might also help to reduce short term costs and assist with public awareness programs. 2. To date, forests adjacent to the right-of-way clearing project have not been impacted by bark beetles which are currently breeding in the slash. This will not be the case in 1990 and 1991 when the beetles in the slash begin emerging to attack live trees in the vicinity of the disturbance. It would be very useful to set up a series of semi-permanent photographic points along the cleared area to record the current state of the forest. These photo points are easy to set up and each picture should have a record of azimuth or bearing from the point, date and time, weather and lighting conditions, and location of the point. Every effort should be made to record both the areas where the clearing goes through older forests which already are being impacted by beetles, and those areas where the forest appears to be growing vigorously. As mentioned previously, these latter areas currently appear to have little evidence of beetle activity. 3. Conduct site visits with leading proponents and opponents of the project and clearing strategy. Public relations and Homer Electric Sept. 1, 1989 ‘Page 4 of 5 building public awareness should be an on-going, function. Since the public is very active in expressing their opinions about projects such as yours and Bradley Lake, they should be included in the process of finding out what works and does not work so that they will be better informed when future projects are proposed. 4. In 1990 and 1991, monitor areas where felling has occurred since the summer of 1987. Spruce bark beetles on the Kenai Peninsula can exist on one, two or three year life cycles. Check the slash to see when the beetles have emerged as your clue to closely watching for attacks in the adjacent standing timber. 5. Conduct a series of town meetings during the winter of 1989/1990 to keep the public informed as to the status of the project...successes and failures to prevent bark beetles. 6. To the extent possible, slash and debris from the clearing should be piled and burned not later than spring of 1991. Strip burning similar to that being done on the Bradley Lake: project is probably not feasible on the HEA project. Since it is quite obvious that bark beetles are currently breeding in this downed material, it is important to try to destroy these insects before they can complete their life cycle. Since burning was not incorporated into the project from its inception, any burning that is now done should be based on accessibility, potential for beetles damaging adjacent forests, values at risk, and cost effectiveness against other suppression techniques. HEA could also take the position of so what and elect not to do burning. Even though there are large numbers of beetles in the slash, there is no guarantee that the beetles will successfully complete their life cycles. There is also no guarantee that even if the beetles do complete their life cycle that they will have any significant effect on adjacent forests beyond what is already happening. There is a danger in not treating the slash now that beetle populations are known to exist. If the beetles are successful in doing significant damage to adjacent forests, the cost of dealing with that situation could easily exceed the cost of timely slash disposal. Such costs are both tangible and intangible ranging from potential litigation expenses to ._ trying to over come adverse public memories on future projects. 7. As soon as weather permits during 1990, begin a trap tree program along the entire length of the project south of Homer Electric “Sept. Page Long 1, 1989 5 of 5 Tustumena Lake. Planning for such a program should begin early this winter if it is to be remotely successful. Technical assistance for this effort can be obtained through both the Division of Forestry and USFS, State and Private Forestry. This effort could also be modified to clean up areas in between any burning that is accomplished should the latter be an option. Burning and trap trees are not mutually exclusive programs. Each can compliment the other. If burning is not an option, however, an intensive and carefully planned trap tree program could still absorb tremendous populations of surplus beetles. term recommendations: 1. Revise future contract specifications to eliminate requirements for bucking and limbing. 2. Future contracts should require disposal of timber either through utilization or destruction. The most effective methods for destruction are by burning or burying, and each can be used as an option for beetle suppression if such contracts are carefully timed. For example, by leaving all of the downed timber on the ground for one full year, beetles from wide spread areas will get sucked into the slash before it is then destroyed within the next year or two. The result can be a large reduction of beetle populations within the area encompassed by a land clearing project. This is exactly what trap tree programs are designed to accomplish only in this case the work is being done up front rather than as an additional cost at the tail end of a project. Contracts where burning is envisioned should correctly anticipate how to facilitate such operations. At times, piling or windrows are required, and at other times felling all trees into the center of a right-of-way is all that is necessary. The presence or absence of fire breaks is also an important decision that must be considered at the time contracts are being prepared. APPENDIX C AEA BACKGROUND INFORMATION MiP NFP V7 ) STEVE COWPER, GOVERNOR (Gi lh fy ‘an / iclie aiek lis lo A\ [td Le ea MWe) ! DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES. 3601 STREET, SUITE 1008 , PHONE: (907) 762-2117 DIVISION OF FORESTY : 9-3100 November 7, 1988 Mr. Dave Eberly, Project Manager Alaska Power Authority P.O. Box 190869 Anchorage, AK 99519-0869 RE: Analysis of Spruce Bark Beetle Activity in Vicinity of Bradley Lake Dear Mr. Eberly: On 10/10/88 I flew to your project site at Bradley Lake for the purpose of evaluating the potential of current powerline right-of-way (R/W) clearing © practices to effect endemic populations of spruce bark beetles in the area. Before I proceed with the analysis, however, I especially want to thank your employees Dave Trudgeon and Tom Arminski for all of their assistance in making my trip possible. They were most cooperative in meeting my needs and demonstrated a high degree of knowledge in answering my many questions. As you might know, spruce bark beetles have been around the Kenai Peninsula for many years, perhaps even centuries. They generally abound in endemic numbers in nearly every spruce forest of Alaska with the possible exception of very young successionary stands. As such, it did not surprise me to see evidence of recent and more dated bark beetle activity on either side of the area being cleared for powerlines on the east side of Kachemak Bay. It was also evident that the beetles were not having much success in producing an infestation capable of causing widespread tree mortality in your area because the spots where beetle activity had occurred generally involved only isolated trees. I attribute tree health or tree vigor as the primary reason why so few trees in the immediate area adjacent to the powerline clearing project are being killed at this time. Although time did not permit much more than a cursory evaluation, we did core a number of trees and found that age generally ranged from 90-130 years... a fairly young Sitka spruce forest. The annual rings also showed that the trees were generally growing quite well, especially when you consider that upper ol Bay is the extreme edge of Sitka spruce (migration) cover-type in Alaska. The stand conditions which exist a few miles away from your project are com ek different. Around Duck Cove, Halibut Cove and throughout Kachemak Bay State Park, the trees are generally older, more densely stocked, and less vigorous in growth than in the Bradley Lake area. In these areas, there is also considerable blowdown distributed throughout the >) he area. The result is that spruce bark beetle populations are now at epidemic levels and a visually impressive amount of tree mortality is occurring. During 1986-87, over 9,000 acres of scattered spruce forest had been infested in close proximity to the Bradley Lake project. Although we will not know for sure until next summer when we fly the area-once again, the indications are that tree mortality during 1988 probably increased and much more acreage will be recorded as being heavily infested next year. The problem you are now faced with is trying to keep spruce bark beetle activity within your project area limited to its current endemic level while there is an epidemic of beetle activity just a few miles away. I equate this to a healthy person walking into a crowded room full of people with severe colds, being trapped in that room for a long period of time, and trying to avoid catching everyone else's cold. It is not an impossible task, but it does require close attention to details. The likelihood that the forest within the power withdrawal area will experience increased beetle pressure in the coming years is entirely predictable so long as your neighbors continue to have an epidemic of beetles on their property. This will happen regardless of whether or not you do anything to the standing trees. As evidenced in the upper Kenai Peninsula, the Yukon and Kuskokwim River drainages, and other places where bark beetles have increased to epidemic proportions, once that point is reached the beetles often become capable of overpowering even the most vigorously growing trees which under normal circumstances would be able to ward off bark beetle attacks. This is not to say that you can expect the forest adjacent to your project to be destroyed, but it does mean that the forest is now exposed to a much greater likelihood of attack than if the entire area simply had an endemic population of spruce bark beetles. Currently there is a young, vigorously growing stand of timber within the power withdrawal area. Forests like people, however, continue to get older and eventually decline in vigor. Sometimes this phenomena can occur quite suddenly. I would suggest that you seriously consider working with the Division of Land and Water Management (DL&WM) to implement an on-going program of tree health management for the forest within the withdrawal area as your best option for avoiding future forest insect and disease problems. Even if you escape the current beetle epidemic in the area, at some future point in time the unmanaged forest within the power withdrawal area will become a prime candidate for any number of forest pest problems. The Division of Forestry would be happy to work with your agency and DL&WM in setting up a tree health management program if you are interested in pursuing the subject. Here is a list of my observations of the immediate effects of clearing for _the power transmission lines on the east side of Kachemak Bay. OBSERVATIONS 1. There is evidence of both old and recent bark beetle activity throughout the the forest in the vicinity of the clearing operation. The evidence is widely scattered and generally only a few trees were killed at any particular spot. There was no evidence to indicate that spruce bark beetle activity adjacent to the areas being cleared is increasing at this time. Neither was there any evidence. that showed spot activity growing in size. The opening in the forest canopy created by the powerline clearing operation may result in some blowdown of fringe timber. Judging from the extensive blowdown just a few miles away from the Bradley Lake project, there is certainly the potential for blowdown to occur in your area. If blowdown does get started, I encourage you to try to salvage it within two years so that bark beetles can not get started and complete their life cycle. Even isolated trees along the route need prompt attention. The trees immediately adjacent to the clearing may experience minor sun scalding or other stresses simply because their environment has changed from protected to exposed. Since the trees are generally vigorous, however, I do not think that bark beetles will be able to capitalize on this situation. The method of cutting trees into 18 inch bolts with limbs draped over the top does not appear to be accomplishing the goal of discouraging bark beetle activity. There are simply too many stems per acre, Now in a horizontal position and in some cases three or four trees deep, in a confined area to facilitate much if any drying of the cambium. This is an ideal habitat opportunity for spruce bark beetle breeding. The adjacent forest is currently young and very healthy, however. Even if spruce bark beetles get into the slash, and even if they are fortunate enough to complete their life cycle, they may not be able to do much more damage than is already occurring in your area. Seldovia is a good example of this as is the new airport that was recently constructed at Petro Bay near Lake Iliamna. In the former case, impressive numbers of bark beetles emerging from slash created by subdivision road and residential lot clearing killed many trees immediately adjacent to the slash piles. Insect numbers declined rapidly thereafter, however, as tree vigor of the remaining stand overpowered subsequent beetle broods. In the Petro Bay case, whole trees were piled into windrows along the entire perimeter of the airport. The slash was heavily hit by beetles, but when they emerged they were incapable of overpowering even a single live spruce tree. Perhaps it was just luck or perhaps not enough beetles survived their two year ordeal in the slash such that they could emerge in numbers capable of starting an epidemic or even just killing a few trees. Regardless, the Department of Transportation now realizes that slash should be burned, buried or removed as these measures are the only sure ways to eliminate any suspicion that a land clearing project fostered subsequent forest pest problems. A point in your favor is that even if bark beetles get into the R/W slash in 1989 (it is too late for them to get into the slash this year), it will take them two years to complete their life cycle. That means it will be at least spring of 1991 before any beetles could emerge from the slash to attack adjacent live timber. In this three year period, 1988-1991, and even though the slash will probably not dry as originally anticipated, there is a good chance that the cambium or xylum layer of the slash will have sufficiently "soured" so that beetle larvae and immature adults cannot survive. 5. For your future reference, I thought that all of the timber within the powerline clearing could have been cable yarded and piled at landings to facilitate salvage or burning. None of the terrain was too steep for cable yarding and in fact it was almost optimum. Also, whole tree tractor yarding in the winter would have been quite feasible for the terrain and conditions on the east side of Kachemak Bay. 6. Burning will be difficult but not impossible where the trees have been cut into small chunks providing that you burn within one year of ; felling. As long as the needles and other fine consumables are still intact, you can expect to get a fire which is hot enough to : sufficiently scorch the larger diameter pieces. If you do nothing more than severely scorch the bark and cambium layer of the pieces at this time, that will be enough to destroy any habitat opportunities for bark beetles. 7. Burying is probably not an option due to environmental restrictions for using machinery in this area. RECOMMENDATIONS I promised I would not leave your agency hanging and wondering what to do. Below I have listed a number of recommendations for you to consider. I did not prioritize these recommendations, however, as you really only have a few options. Therefore, I will qualify my remarks by stating up front that the only real option that you have for eliminating any doubts which may persist following the clearing phase of your project is to burn or bury all of the unsalvaged slash. Unfortunately, burying does not appear to be feasible as an option so you are left with burning. 1. Leave as is and continue on as you are doing. Expect some spruce bark beetles, perhaps even a whole lot of them, to get into the slash. Expect a short period of more intense tree killing during 1991 and 1992 when a new generation of beetles, if any, emerges from the slash. ; 2. If you are certain that you will burn, then fall all trees towards the center of the R/W-so that a hot fire can be created away from the edge of the standing timber. No bucking or limbing necessary. Strip burning in place will have its greatest chance for success at a relatively low price providing that you burn while the fines are still attached and not on the ground. Once you are beyond that point, burning costs go up rapidly and the chance for having a successful burn go down with each passing year. If you could burn within the next year or so, however, I urge you to consider this option as your most cost effective and least impact option. This treatment would apply to the areas you have bucked into 18" lengths to date as well. If strip burning is questionable in your mind due to any number of other concerns, then limb all the trees and buck into lengths that can be economically salvaged or yarded into central burn piles. Lengths of from 10 feet to the entire bole of the tree would be recommended. Pile burning will give you a longer period of time in which to accomplish successful burning and it is easier to control the outcome as you can burn in almost any inclement weather condition that the Kachemak Bay area is capable of producing. As mentioned previously, you should give serious consideration to working closely with DL&WM to accomplish long term vegetation: management for the purpose of promoting tree health. The power — withdrawal area would benefit even more if you could encourage ~ you neighbors to do the same. The Division of Forestry would be more than happy to assist you and any others in’setting up such a program if you decide to choose this as a course of action. The Division of Forestry would be happy to provide training for personnel associated with the Bradley Lake project. With all of the current interest and concern for spruce bark beetle activity jn Alaska, you may even want to consider annual. refresher training for a period of time. We are more than willing to do something in the evening when your crews are in camp. We. wilt also keep your agency advised as to beetle activity along the entire transmission line route as a result of our annual surveys. We would welcome the opportunity to place artificial traps along the entire length of the areas being cleared and monitoring them for the next three to five years if you could provide access assistance. The Division of Forestry is in the process of acquiring a large number of these traps and they have proven to be successful for suppressing beetle populations in localized areas. Along that same line, you could also consider a lethal trap tree program which can be a very successful tool for remote areas. Thanks to recent and on-going research plus operational use of lethal traps in Canada and the "Lower 48", there are now a number of options for such a program which no longer require killing green trees. I appreciated having the opportunity to work with your agency. Your agency is to be commended for taking such an active interest in managing development to limit future forest insect and disease problems. Please let me know if I can be of further assistance at Bradley Lake or any other place where forest pests may be causing you problems. Sincerely, Dud br DAVID W. ORR Insect and Disease Forester cc: Gene Lessard, USFS, S&PF Ed Holsten, USFS, S&PF Keith Harding, Alaska DL&WM Tom Hawkins, Acting State Forester STAVE UF ALAS /-vecaneeses DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES PO. BOX 7-005 ANCHORAGE. ALASKA 99510 DIVISION OF FORESTRY PHONE (907) 561-2020 9-3185 September 6, 1989 Mr. Dave Eberly, Project Manager Alaska Power Authority P.O. Box 190869 Anchorage, AK 99519-0869 RE: Analysis of Spruce Bark Beetle Activity, Bradley Lake Area Dear Mr. Eberly: Enclosed is a trip report pertaining to my 8/24/89 evaluation of the power transmission line clearing project which begins at your Bradley Lake facility. My visit to the area was in response to Dave Trudgen's request that I conduct a follow-up inspection to my 1988 study. The purpose of my visit was to determine the effects of clearing practices employed on your project and whether such practices could have an effect on local populations of spruce bark beetles. I appreciate the cooperation and assistance provided me by everyone at Bradley Lake. If you need further information concerning this report, or if I can be of additional assistance, please do not hesitate to call me. Sincerely, LL te David W. Orr Insect & Disease Forester Enclosure cc: Gene Lessard, USFS, IFPM Ed Holsten, USFS, IFPM Rick Thompson, DL&WM EVALUATION OF SPRUCE BARK BEETLE ACTIVITY ALONG A.P.A. RIGHT-OF-WAY BETWEEN BRADLEY RIVER AND BATTLE CREEK . The state's Integrated Forest Pest Management section (IFPM) was requested by Alaska Power Authority (APA) to evaluate forest pest conditions within and adjacent to that segment of the recently cleared transmission line right-of-way which runs between Battle Creek on the south and Bradley River on the north. The purpose of the inspection this year was to determine is the spruce bark beetle (Dendroctonus rufipennis) is utilizing slash created by the clearing phase of the project to make significant population gains in the local area. The purpose was also to determine if there could be any adverse effects on adjacent stands of timber if in fact the beetles are currently in the slash. The spruce beetle has been at epidemic levels on the Kenai Peninsula since the mid-1970s. Although the northern portion of the peninsula has received the greatest impact to date, major infestations are also occurring around Katchemak Bay and to the east of Clam Gulch. The APA project is on the periphery of the Katchemak Bay infestation area and it is quite obvious that the area encompassed by this epidemic is continuing to grow. Bark beetles are nearly always present in the forest although their numbers are usually small. This is a situation commonly referred to as an endemic population. Most of the time beetle populations are kept in check by predators, parasites and climatical conditions. They are also kept in check in those forested areas where the trees are generally healthy and growing vigorously ...greater than four millimeters of growth per five year increment. When the system of checks and balances gives way to conditions optimum for bark beetle proliferation, however, the results can be an explosive increase in beetle populations. Such conditions include an unmanaged forest reaching maturity and resultant loss of tree vigor; fresh wind thrown trees; moisture stress in trees; newly created slash caused by land clearing or disturbance; wildland or prescribed fire effects; and logging activities. Bark beetles will take advantage of any opportunity to expand their populations, and when they outgrow their supply of downed or injured trees, they will begin attacking adjacent live timber trying to overwhelm the natural defenses of the trees. Depending on beetle population levels at this point, they may be able to kill the trees outright or else progressively weaken the trees for subsequent attacks. Concerning the above, what I found during my inspection was a potpourri of conditions. Since time was somewhat limited, I was only able to visit a few representative areas characterizing Alaska Power Authority Sept. 6, 1989 Page 2 of 5 conditions along the right-of-way. Dave Trudgen was most helpful in providing transportation to the spots which needed evaluation. OBSERVATIONS 1. Bark beetles, both Dendroctonus and Ips, were observed in nearly all of the spruce bolts and pieces that were inspected at each location. Ips, however, were generally only present in the top quadrant of bolts which had good exposure to sunlight. If the top of the bolt was partially or fully shaded by other slash, then the top quadrant of the bolt usually had Dendroctonus as well. The sides and bottom of the bolts were exclusive to Dendroctonus. 2. In 1988, bark beetles were at least eight miles south of the camp which serves the Bradley Lake project. In 1989, however, it was quite evident that they had heavily infested stands of timber around Battle Creek and were all around the bowl area of the APA camp. This ominous spread of bark beetles does not bode well for your project and the attempts you have made to date to try to prevent the beetles from entering the power withdrawal area. 3. I did not inspect the Fox River end of the cleared area because Dave Trudgen mentioned that he had found bark beetles in the slash at this end of the project only a few weeks before my visit. He said that some of the beetles were still on the outside of the bolts which means that beetle flights were fairly late this year...possibly a normal occurrence for your area. Because he already observed beetles at this end of the project, I used the limited amount of time which I had to determine if beetles were in other areas as well. 4. Beetles and beetle larvae were consistently found in almost all bolts except those that were elevated above the slash or which were isolated from other slash on an individual basis. Aeration and direct sunlight seemed to be critical factors for sufficiently drying the bolts so that they were not of interest to the beetles. With this in mind: a. The trees and logs which were left in greater lengths and felled towards the center of the cleared area seemed to have fewer beetles than did the adjacent bolts. At face value, and with little time to conduct an extensive analysis, I would say that the reason the longer pieces had fewer beetles was because much of this slash was elevated and was not in contact with either the ground or other slash. I rarely found beetles if the logs were completely exposed but I did find beetles whenever the logs were touching the ground or if they were covered by other slash. » ) Alaska Power Authority Sept. 6, 1989 _Page 3 of 5 This was not the case immediately adjacent to the area where the logs were in longer lengths. Because most of the smaller bolts were in direct contact with the ground or other slash, these pieces were generally heavily infested with beetles and larvae. These observations seem to correspond with the attached draft research report dated 8/15/89 by Hard and Holsten of the U.S. Forest Service. ; 5. No beetles were found in any stumps that were exposed to direct sunlight. I did, however, find beetles in slash as small as three inches in diameter. This is an indication of the intensity of beetle populations in the general area as they normally utilize larger slash first. OBSERVATIONS CONCERNING BURNING 1. Burning was much hotter than necessary to destroy broods of beetles in the slash. Due to the nature of the slash, however, this may be an unavoidable situation. 2. Many edge trees are being severely scorched. These trees will probably be attacked by beetles in 1990 or 1991. 3. Slash was virtually consumed by fire except for the larger pieces. Although this will eventually leave the area in a much more manageable state, consumption of the slash was not a goal of burning. The slash only needed to be scorched in order to destroy its usefulness to beetles. 4. Burning was proceeding slowly due to the weather but it appeared as if the crews were only burning during mid-day rather than early morning, late afternoon, evening, or even after dark. I believe that the window for burning is going to have to be expanded if there is to be a conclusion to this effort in any reasonable period of time. 5. Burning was advancing progressively along the cleared area rather than crews moving to a sector of the line where weather, terrain, etc. are optimal for burning on a particular day. On the day of my inspection, for example, the south end of the project had high winds and burning was simply not feasible. This was also the location of the crew. In the center of the project area, however, there was no wind and burning could have been quite successful. 6. Because of the large population of beetles which are currently in the slash, I see no other option but to continue burning with all due haste if your objective is still to disassociate your project from spruce bark beetle activity in the area. Alaska Power Authority Sept. 6, 1989 ‘Page 4 of 5 SUMMARY AND RECOMMENDATIONS Short term recommendations: 1. APA and Homer Electric Association (HEA) should try to conduct site visits to both projects to compare similarities and differences of efforts to prevent bark beetles from capitalizing on these disturbances. There should also be coordination to determine effectiveness of various techniques in terms of what worked and did not work. This could be a very valuable source of technological information which might also help reduce short term costs and assist with public awareness programs. 2. Conduct site visits with leading proponents and opponents of the project and clearing strategy. Public relations and building public awareness should be an on-going function. Since the public is integrally involved in projects such as Bradley Lake, they should be included in the process of finding out what works and does not work so that they will be better informed when future projects are proposed. 3. Continue annual inspection program with trained forest pest management specialists. I would also suggest that you set up a series of semi-permanent photo points to record annual changes in the forest adjacent to the clearing project. If you start this year while the project has still not had an impact on the surrounding forest, there will be a photographic record of annual changes to specific points. 4. Conduct a series of town meetings in various communities of Katchemak Bay during the winter of 1989/1990 to keep the public informed as to the status of the project...successes and failures to prevent bark beetles. 5. As soon as weather permits during 1990, begin a trap tree program along the entire length of the project between Battle Creek and Bradley River. Planning for such a program should begin early this winter if it is to be remotely successful. Technical assistance for this effort can be obtained through both the Division of Forestry and the USFS, State and Private Forestry section and can include artificial traps as well. This effort needs to be continued into 1991 and it will be especially important if burning is not completed before the beetles begin to emerge from the slash starting in 1990. Long term recommendations; 1. Revise future con specifications to eliminate requirements for bucking and Ge 2) » Alaska Power Authority Sept. 6, 1989 ‘Page 5 of 5 2. Future contracts should require disposal of timber either through utilization or destruction. The most effective methods fordestruction are by burning or burying, and each can be used as an option for beetle suppression if such contracts are carefully timed. For example, by leaving all of the downed timber on the ground for one full year, beetles from wide spread areas will get sucked into the slash before it is then destroyed within the next year or two at the latest. The result can be a large reduction of beetle populations within the area encompassed by a land clearing project. This is exactly what trap tree programs are designed to accomplish only in this case the work is being done up front rather than as an additional cost at the tail end of a project. 3. Contracts where burning is envisioned should correctly anticipate how to facilitate such operations. At times, piling or windrows are required, and at other times, felling all trees into the center of a right-of-way is all that is necessary. The presence or absence of fire breaks is also an important decision that must be considered at the time contracts are being prepared. 4. Forest health within the power withdrawal area is all important to ensuring that forest pests such as spruce bark beetles will not invade the area either now or in the future. There is a real need to prepare long term vegetation management plans which will ensure forest health throughout the area. United States Forest Alaska Region 201 E. 9th Ave, Department of Service S&PF Suite 206 Agriculture —.. : Anchorage, AK- 99501 “ - 907-271-2575 Reply to: 3400 Date: December 21, 1989 Mr. David Trudgen Environmental Field Officer Alaska Energy Authority P. 0. Box 190869 701 East Tudor Road Anchorage, Alaska 99519-0869 Dear Dave: The following is a brief. trip report concerning our recent (12/15/89) overview- of Alaska Energy Authority's (AEA) efforts regarding control of the spruce bark beetle along the recently cleared transmission line right-of-way (ROW) from the Power Plant to Sheep Creek, Gene Lessard and I thank you for the cooperation and assistance provided us by everyone at Bradley Lake. A general fly-over of the south shore of Kachemak Bay indicated heavy, on-going beetle activity in standing spruce near Mallard Bay/Aurora Spit. This beetle activity has been noted for many years. The infestation appears to be spreading in a northeasterly direction. Old, as well as recent spruce beetle killed trees, were noted around the bowl area of the AEA camp. Very little recent spruce beetle activity was noted in the spruce stands bordering the ROW from the power plant to Sheep Creek. We noted, however, some recent blowdown along the edges of the ROW. A dozen or so spruce were up-rooted where the Bradley River turns back against the forested slope before turning to the Bay. Five ground checks were undertaken along the ROW: four were located between Bradley River and Sheep Creek; the fifth was located in the burned area southwest of the Bradley River. Approximately 10-15. spruce bolts/logs were checked for spruce/Ips beetles at each stop. Very-little spruce beetle activity was noted at any of the ground checks. All the spruce beetle brood we encountered was in the larval stage indicating a two-year life cycle. These larvae will not mature until August/September of 1990. These new adults will then over-winter in the same bolts they were reared in and emerge/disperse in the spring of 1991. Signs of Ips beetles were frequently encountered. It is known that spruce beetles and Ips may compete for food if Ips populations are >) ~) abundant. The rapid Ips larval development interferes with the elongation of spruce beetle larval mines. This intra-specific competition can greatly reduce spruce beetle populations. Since Ips are a low risk to standing spruce, they may be working against the spruce beetle in the downed material. The cambium of the downed material appears to be rapidly "souring". As a consequence, much of the felled material will not be suitable next spring for spruce beetle attack. The burning carried out last (1989) summer was more than adequate in destroying any spruce beetle brood developing in the logs/bolts. Based on our brief visit, our recommendations are as follows: 1. 1990 burning of the remaining down ROW material is not necessary. However, if burning is to be undertaken, it should be carried out in only those areas of the ROW containing large diameter down material. 2. Most of the spruce beetle brood encountered in the down material will not mature and disperse until the spring of 1991. At that time (no later than June 15, 1991) a trap tree program should be initiated. This procedure should be repeated in the spring of 1992. Enclosed is an excellent report covering the "how's & why's" of trap tree programs, both conventional and lethal. We suggest you use a conventional trap tree program as discussed on page 8 of the report. This eliminates the perceived problem that some publics have concerning the use of pesticides associated with some lethal trap tree programs, After conventional trap trees become infested they must be extracted and milled or otherwise treated. Failure to extract or treat infested trap trees may actually increase the population in the area. Trap tree disposal techniques are also discussed in the enclosed report. The use of lures will greatly enhance the attractiveness. of the trap trees. Spruce beetle attractant lures can be ordered from: PHERO TECH Inc., 1916-35th Street, Missoula, Montana, 59801, (406) 549-1955. 3. Careful attention mst be given to any recent blowdown occurring along the edges of the ROW. Spruce is very susceptible to windthrow once the stands have been opened up. This blowdown can be extremely susceptible and productive as spruce beetle breeding material. Almost all the current spruce beetle activity in the Kachemak Bay area originated from blowdown. Recent blowdown must either be removed or treated. Blowdown, however, could be left in place for no more than a year serving as trap trees. Once infested it must be treated. Forest Pest Management, in cooperation with the State of Alaska/Division of Forestry, undertake annual aerial detection surveys. We will aerially survey the ROW for spruce beetle activity in the standing spruce and keep you informed of our findings. ) ) If you have any further questions or need additional information concerning conventional or lethal trap tree programs, please feel free to contact us at 271-2575. Sincerely EE EDWARD H. HOLSTEN Forest Entomologist ec: Bob Dick, State of Alaska Enclosure