Appendix E Soils Information

Appendix E Soils Information

Soil Information: Dinkey Project The following soil information is developed from project level data published in the Polk County, Tennessee Soil Survey (NRCS, 2003). The Soil Survey can be found at http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/site/soils/home/ in the on-line soil surveys by state listing. This appendix provides a brief description of the soil mapping units and soil series that occur in the proposed action stands for the two alternatives proposing commercial timber harvest areas (Alternatives B and C combined). Three soils of concern are also identified and discussed in this information; Junaluska, Tusquitee, and Suches. The Polk County Soil Survey (NRCS, 2003) is a comprehensive report of the soil types classified and mapped during field surveys conducted by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and the USDA Forest Service. The report contains information on the soil series and soil mapping units that can be used in planning and implementing projects, including interpretations of soil physical and chemical properties, the risks and/or hazards of various land management activities on soil productivity, and recommended design features to mitigate the potential risks and hazards. The section below identifies soil mapping units inventoried and mapped, along with a brief description of the soil series identified in the mapping units. Information highlights the landform position, depth of soil material to bedrock, parent material or geology, soil texture of the primary horizons, internal soil drainage and permeability and percent composition of the soil type for each map unit. The Dinkey project area can be viewed as two separate landscapes as related to the topography and soil types, with resulting levels of challenge and concern for management activities. The portion of the Dinkey project in Compartment 339, north of Allen Gap and Tumbling Creek is primarily mapped in the Evard-Haysville complex soil map units. Slopes in the ErC and ErD units ranges from 5% on the ridges and upper sideslopes to 30% on the sideslopes. Both Evard and Hayesville soils have soil depths to bedrock exceeding 60 inches. These soil map units have slight to moderate risks of impacts from ground-based timber harvest operations and activities which can be planned to mitigate effects by implementing normal best management practices and sale contract provisions. South and west of Allen Gap, the Dinkey project continues into a landscape of Evard-Hayesville complex in Compartment 362, then transitions into soil map units of Junaluska and Tusquitee in Compartment 365, on both the north and south sides of National Forest System Road (NFSR) 65. The Junaluska soil map units, JkD, JkF and JtF; and Tusquitee, TuF, are generally characterized with steeper slope gradients than the Evard-Hayesville units, ranging from 15% in the lower sideslopes to steeper gradients over 35% up to 65% on the middle and upper sideslopes. Junaluska soils are moderately deep to bedrock, and typically occur in areas underlain by phyllite bedrock. These map units are soils of concern, with moderate to severe hazards for ground-based equipment operations common to timber harvesting. Access routes for skidding in stands to be treated and temporary access roads should be pre-planned and located to identify locations that minimize excavation and construction requirements, with timely installation of drainage to address overland storm flow, and restoration of ground cover to minimize erosion during operations and post-activity. Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 1

Soil Mapping Units and Soil Series Detailed Descriptions Citico channery silt loam (CcD - 15 to 35% slopes) This mapping unit occurs on lower side slopes, comprised of 85 to 90% Citico soils. These soils are well to forest management with primary concerns of erosion hazard on the steeper portions. Citico channery silt loam (CdD) is mainly found in the Sholer Branch watershed, Compartment 362, Stands 30 and 40. Citico Series: deep soils found on foot slopes, benches and coves; typically colluvial positions. Series is only mapped in Monroe and Polk Counties, TN. Parent material is weathered metasedimentary rocks such as phyllite, slate and slightly metamorphosed shale or sandstone. Depth to hard rock ranges from 40 to 60 inches. Surface horizon soil texture is silt loam, 3 to 8 inches thick, with a subsoil horizon texture of channery silt loam, 20-30 inches thick. Phyllite channers (flat, gravel size) are found in all soil horizons, ranging in volume from 15 to 35 percent. Citico soils are well drained with moderate permeability. Evard-Hayesville complex (ErC - 5-15% slopes and ErD, 15-30% slopes) This mapping unit is found on uplands in the Copper Basin area of Polk County. Evard soils make up 45% of the complex mapping unit, with Hayesville soils about 35% of the unit. This mapping unit is well to forest management with few limitations in ErC units; however ErD units have a moderate erosion hazard due to slope gradient. Soil rutting is a hazard on the Hayesville soils due to the clayey soil texture in the subsoil below 9 inches. Evard Series: very deep soils found on mountain slopes, hillslopes and ridges in intermediate mountains of the Blue Ridge. Parent material is high-grade metamorphic or igneous rock such as mica gneiss, hornblende gneiss and granite. Depth to hard bedrock is greater than 60 inches. Surface horizon soil texture is loam or sandy loam, 5 to 12 inches thick. Subsoil horizon texture is sandy clay loam, 20 to 40 inches thick over saprolite. Evard soils are well drained with moderately rapid permeability. Hayesville Series: this very deep, red clayey soil is common to gently sloping to very steep sideslopes and ridges in uplands of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Parent material is residuum from igneous and metamorphic rocks such as granite, mica gneiss, and occasionally from metagraywacke and metasandstone. Depth to hard bedrock is greater than 60 inches. Surface horizon soil texture is loam or fine sandy loam, 2 to 8 inches thick. Subsoil horizon texture is clay or clay loam, 20 to 40 inches thick over saprolite. Hayesville soils are well drained with moderate permeability. This soil series has a moderate to severe hazard for soil rutting in periods of heavy equipment operation due to the clayey texture in the subsoil (from 9 inches to 40 inches below the soil surface). Hayesville soils make up 35% of this soil mapping unit complex. The Evard-Hayesville complex mapping units (ErC and ErD) occur primarily in Compartment 339 north of Allen Gap, and Compartment 362 in the Sholer Branch area. Junaluska fine sandy loam (JkD - 15-35% slopes; JkF, 35-65% slopes) This mapping unit occurs on upland ridges, shoulder slopes and side slopes. Junaluska makes up 85 to 90% of the mapping unit. Intermingled contrasting components include areas of rock outcrop or higher content of rock fragments. The primary concerns for the JkF mapping unit are the steep slope gradient exceeding 35% presenting challenges in the operation of ground based equipment. Operations on these slopes are also challenged by severe erosion hazard from soil exposure, moderately deep root zone, and droughty conditions or low available water capacity during drier periods of the growing season. Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 2

Junaluska-Citico complex (JtF 35 to 65% slopes) Junaluska soils make up 55% of this mapping unit complex; while Citico soils make up 30% of the unit. Descriptions for these two components can be found in previously described map units. Steep slope gradient, exceeding 35%, and severe erosion hazard are the primary concerns for this mapping unit for use of ground based equipment. Operations would generally require excavation of bladed skid roads to create a prism or template for safe movement. Excavation of bladed roads on the steep slopes would require design and layout prior to construction to facilitate installation on slope contours, location of drainage structures, road gradient breaks, and post-harvest rehabilitation. The photo that follows is on a JtF mapping unit located southeast of NFSR 65, near the bridge over Tumbling Creek in Compartment 362. The photo view is upslope toward the ridge. At the photo point slope gradient was measured at 25%, however about 75 feet upslope it increases to 40% continuing up to the ridgetop. The slope shapes are a mixture of concave down slope with intermingled small convex areas where slope creep may have occurred. This combination of slope shapes contributes to the challenges of road location and construction. Junaluska Series: moderately deep soils on strongly sloping to very steep ridges and side slopes of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Parent material is residuum affected by soil creep in the upper part, from low grade metasedimentary rocks such as phyllite, slate and low grade, thinlybedded metasandstone. A key feature or characteristic of the Junaluska series is a solum (soil material) thickness ranging from 15 to 39 inches, over weathered bedrock such as low grade metasandstone or phyllite (can often be dug with a spade). Depth to hard bedrock is greater than 40 inches. Surface horizon soil texture is fine sandy loam, 2 to 10 inches thick, with 5 to 10% metasandstone channers by volume. Subsoil horizon texture is sandy clay loam, 10 to 15 inches thick with 5 to 10% metasandstone channers by volume. Junaluska soils are well drained with moderate permeability. Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 3

The Junaluska series are soils of concern, generally recognized as soils that have the potential to create management challenges that warrant additional consideration prior to the introduction of management activities. Two soil characteristics of concern for the Junaluska soils are shallow depth (20 to 40 inches) to soft bedrock and slope gradients over 35%. Excavation to construct roads or trails typically exposes the soft bedrock, which can result in soil creep in the upper part. Productivity is limited due to the shallow depth. These soils are droughty in nature, contributing to challenges in revegetating cut and fill slopes. Design considerations to mitigate impacts include consideration of cable logging methods to minimize road or trail construction where slopes exceed 40 percent, reseeding all disturbed areas with adapted grass and legume species to create adequate ground cover, and avoiding logging operations during wet periods to prevent rutting or soil displacement. The Junaluska soil mapping units occur in Compartment 362 and 365 on either side of Tumbling Creek. A thick exposure (pictured below) of the phyllite bedrock can be readily observed along the north side of NFSR 65 in Compartment 365, west of the dispersed campsite noted along the creek. This outcropping provides a good example of the slope angle of the rock, the thin bedding of the material, and the shallow depth of the soil over the phylite. Suches loam (Su - 0 to 2% slopes, occasionally flooded) Suches Series: very deep soils on nearly level floodplains along creeks and rivers, common to the riparian areas in this portion of the Southern Appalachian Mountains. Suches soils formed in loamy alluvial sediments from soils formed in residuum from granite, gneiss, schist and phyllite. Thickness of the soil is 40 to 60 inches or deeper in some profiles. Gravel size fragments range from 5 to 35% by volume in the subsoil. Surface horizon soil texture is loam, sandy loam, or clay loam, 10 to 12 inches thick. Subsoil horizon texture is sandy clay loam or clay loam, 20 to 40 inches thick. Loamy sand is often found at depths greater than 60 inches. Suches soils are well drained with moderate permeability. This mapping unit is subject to occasional flooding for brief periods, primarily in winter months. Suches soils comprise 85-90% of the mapping unit. Suches loam is mapped in the riparian areas of the larger streams in the project area, Tumbling Creek and Sholer Branch, and occurs in the private ownerships adjacent to the project area. Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 4

The Suches series are soils of concern, primarily due to the location in floodplains along perennial streams. Typically Suches soils are on the higher part of flood plains, subject to flash flooding type events for brief periods. Management activities in areas of Suches soils need to consider protection of the stream channel and the potential for flash flooding during periods of ground operation. Tusquitee loam (TuF - 20 to 65% slopes) Tusquitee Series: very deep soils on gently sloping to very steep benches, foot slopes, toe slopes and fans in coves of the Southern Appalachian mountains. Tusquitee soils formed in colluvium weathered from igneous and high-grade metamorphic rocks such as granite, mica gneiss, hornblende gneiss and schist. Depth to hard bedrock is more than 60 inches. Surface horizon soil texture is loam, 2 to 10 inches thick. Subsoil horizon texture is loam or sandy loam, 20 to 40 inches thick. Tusquitee soils are well drained with moderately permeability. Tusquitee soils make up 85-90% of this mapping unit. The Tusquitee mapping unit occurs in the project area in the lower slopes of Horse Lead Mountain, north of Tumbling Creek and NFSR 221; and the north facing slopes of the mountain south of Tumbling Creek. The Tusquitee series are soils of concern in this project area due to their occurrence in colluvial slope positions which can create challenges in road location and construction, and equipment operation on slopes over 35%. These slopes often are broken or short, creating challenges to normal equipment operations without extra ground impacts. Logging methods that minimize surface horizon disturbance can reduce erosion hazard. Table 1 displays the soil mapping units inventoried and mapped in the project area stands proposed for commercial harvest activities. The mapping units are organized by slope gradient classification to provide a quick review of mapping units with concerns related to slope. Acres by soil mapping unit in the table are based on GIS map analysis. Ratings listed as severe indicate the soil map units recommended for pre-operation planning and design of ground-disturbing activities. Four soil interpretations related to timber harvesting operations using ground-based equipment (skidders, fellers, loaders) are shown in the table. The interpretations were developed by the NRCS using standard methods to evaluate soil properties, landform factors, and potential climate conditions in the project area. These same ratings apply to any occurrence of the soil mapping unit, regardless of land ownership. The ratings of slight, moderate or severe indicate the potential risk for detrimental impacts to the soil mapping unit under equipment operations. Ratings of severe or poorly are particular red-flag interpretations that need pre-activity attention, and post-activity follow-up to maintain soil quality. Detailed discussion of the interpretations follows Table 1. Ratings are an indication of the need for designing and implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) or timber sale contract provisions to mitigate and reduce the risk of detrimental impacts and maintain soil quality and productivity. Implementation of these BMPs is one part of complying with Forest Service soil quality standards, described in Forest Service Handbook FSH R8 2509.18 Soil Management Handbook (USFS, 2003). Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 5

Interpretations include soil erosion hazard (off-road, off-trail), soil rutting hazard, construction limitations for haul roads and log landings, and harvest equipment operability. Table 1: Soils for All Commercial Timber Harvest Areas (Alts. B and C combined) Map Unit Symbol Soil Mapping Unit Name Upland soils, slopes 5 to 15%. ErC Evard- Hayesville complex Upland soils, slopes 15-35%. CcD Citico channery silt loam ErD JkD Evard- Hayesville complex Junaluska fine sandy loam Slope Gradient Acres by Soil Map Unit Soil Erosion Hazard (Off-Road, Off-Trail) Soil Rutting Hazard Construction Limitations for Haul Roads and Log Landings Ground- Based Harvest Equipment Operability 5-15 76 Slight Severe Slight Moderately 15-35 18 Moderate Slight Moderate Moderately 15-30 324 Moderate Severe Moderate Moderately 15-35 44 Moderate Severe Moderate Moderately Upland soils, slopes over 35%. These are soils of concern due to steep slope gradient and shallow depth to bedrock in Junaluska soils. Mitigations are required to minimize erosion and soil loss. JkF Junaluska fine sandy loam 35-65 96 Severe Severe Severe Poorly JtF Junaluska- Citico complex 35-65 25 Severe Severe Severe Poorly TuF Tusquitee loam 20-65 55 Severe Severe Severe Poorly Riparian Soils, slopes 0-2%. These soils occur on floodplains and riparian areas of perennial streams in the project area. Suches soils are subject to periods of short duration flash flooding. Su Suches loam, occasionally flooded 0-2 24 Slight Severe Moderate Moderately Total Project Acres: 662 Description of Soil Interpretations for Table 1 Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 6

The following descriptions are from NRCS Web Soil Survey information for the Polk County, Tennessee Soil Survey (NRCS, 2008). These are standard NRCS soil survey interpretations developed following criteria and ratings found in the NRCS Soil Survey Handbook (NRCS, 1993) or the NRCS National Forestry Manual (NRCS, 1998). The Forest Service is a cooperator in the National Cooperative Soil Survey program, participating and contributing to the development of these forestry interpretations. Soil Erosion Hazard (Off-Road, Off-Trail) The ratings in this interpretation indicate the hazard of soil loss from off-road and off-trail areas after disturbance activities that expose the soil surface. The ratings are based on slope and soil erosion factor K. The soil loss is caused by sheet or rill erosion in off-road or off-trail areas where 50 to 75 percent of the surface has been exposed by logging, grazing, mining, or other kinds of disturbance. The hazard is described as "slight," "moderate," "severe," or "very severe." A rating of "slight" indicates that erosion is unlikely under ordinary climatic conditions; "moderate" indicates that some erosion is likely and that erosion-control measures may be needed; "severe" indicates that erosion is very likely and that erosion-control measures, including revegetation of bare areas, are advised; and "very severe" indicates that significant erosion is expected, loss of soil productivity and off-site damage are likely, and erosion-control measures are costly and generally impractical. Soil Rutting Hazard Ratings in this interpretation indicate the hazard of surface rut formation through the operation of forestland equipment. Soil displacement and puddling (soil deformation/compaction) may occur along with rutting. Ratings are based on depth to a water table, rock fragments on or below the surface, the Unified classification of the soil, depth to a restrictive layer, and slope. The hazard is described as slight, moderate, or severe. A rating of "slight" indicates that the soil is subject to little or no rutting. "Moderate" indicates that rutting is likely. "Severe" indicates that ruts form readily and progress to deep ruts if not addressed during operations. The Forest Service Soil Disturbance Field Guide (USFS, 2009) classifies rutting into four classes: none (no visible evidence), shallow (<5 cm, 2 in), moderate (5 to 10 cm, 2 to 4 in), or deep (> 10 cm, 4 in). These classes can be observed as visible evidence of disturbance by vehicle use and provide an indication of soil compaction. Typically the greater the depth of the ruts, the greater the level of soil compaction that can affect soil productivity, particularly movement of air and water in the soil profile. The Soil Disturbance Field Guide can be accessed at: http://www.treesearch.fs.fed.us/pubs/40599 Construction Limitations for Haul Roads and Log Landings This rating is primarily the limitations affecting the construction of temporary haul roads for truck use, and log landings where cut trees are concentrated for processing. The ratings are based on slope steepness, flooding risk, plasticity index (related to clay content in the soil), the hazard of soil slippage or instability (on steeper slopes), sand content, the Unified classification of the soil (engineering properties), rock fragments on or below the surface, depth to a restrictive layer that is indurated, depth to a high water table below the soil surface, and ponding. Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 7

Rating class terms indicate the degree to which the soils are to this aspect of forestland management. The limitations are described as slight, moderate, or severe. A rating of "slight" indicates that no significant limitations affect construction activities. "Moderate" indicates that one or more limitations can cause some difficulty in construction. "Severe" indicates that one or more limitations can make construction very difficult or very costly. Harvest Equipment Operability Ratings indicate the suitability for use of ground-based harvesting equipment. The Dinkey Project has identified ground-based harvesting systems as the equipment category to be used for the project. This would typically include mechanized harvest machines to cut the merchantable trees and place for removal (feller-buncher) and rubber-tired skidders to gather and remove cut stems to the log landing for processing. Other ground-based equipment can also operate in the log landing area, e.g. crawler tractors. Suitability ratings are based on slope steepness, rock fragments on the surface, plasticity index (related to content of clay), sand content, the Unified classification of the soil (for engineering purposes), depth to a water table (below soil surface), and ponding (during periods of water saturation in the soil). Rating class terms indicate the degree to which the soils are to this aspect of forestland management. Well indicates that the soil has features that are favorable for the specified management aspects and has no limitations. Good performance can be expected, and little or no maintenance is needed. Moderately indicates that the soil has features that are moderately favorable for the specified management aspects. One or more soil properties are less than desirable, and fair performance can be expected. Some maintenance is needed. Poorly indicates that the soil has one or more soil properties that are unfavorable for the specified management aspect. Overcoming the unfavorable properties requires special design, extra maintenance, and costly alteration. Table 2 displays the acres of each soil mapping unit for the commercial harvest areas by compartment and stand for Alternatives B and C. Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 8

Table 2: Soil Mapping Unit by Compartment and Stand for Proposed Harvest Areas Compartment Stand Soil Map Unit Symbol Acres of Soil Map Unit 339 1 ErC 11 40 ac cc ErD 65 30 ac th 6 ac - ESMZ Acres by Proposed Treatment Type Total 77 339 2 ErC 6 39 ac cc ErD 53 12 ac th 9 ac - ESMZ Total 60 339 9 ErC 12 30 ac th ErD 20 2 ac - ESMZ Total 32 339 16 ErC 0 10 ac th ErD 13 3 ac ESMZ Total 13 339 33 ErC 7 31 ac th ErD 20 Su 3 Total 31 339 35 ErC 5 42 ac -th ErD 36 Su 1 Total 42 339 38 ErC 5 14 ac - th ErD 9 Total 14 362 4 ErC 3 17 ac - th ErD 14 Total 17 362 29 ErC 8 39 ac sdtr ErD 40 7 ac th 2 ac - ESMZ Su 1 Total 48 362 30 CcD 10 12 ac th Su 4 3 ac ESMZ Total 15 Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 9

Table 2. Continued Compartment Stand Soil Map Unit Symbol Acres of Soil Map Unit Acres by Proposed Treatment Type 362 31 ErC 20 40 ac shltr ErD 31 30 ac th 9 ac - ESMZ JkF 14 Su 5 TuF 10 Total 80 362 34 ErD 6 7 ac th JkF 1 5 ac ESMZ Su 1 TuF 4 Total 12 362 35 ErD 2 25 ac th JkD 2 3 ac - ESMZ JkF 22 JtF 0.1 TuF 1 Total 28 362 37 CcD 4 40 ac cc ErD 0 9 ac th 3 ac - ESMZ JkD 8 JkF 16 JtF 25 Su 0.05 Total 52 362 38 JkF 8 8 ac - th Total 8 362 39 JkF 8 8 ac - th Su 0.1 Total 8 362 40 CcD 4 7 ac - th ErD 3 Su 0.4 Total 7 362 41 ErD 10 8 ac th JkF 1 5 ac - ESMZ Su 1 TuF 1 Total 13 Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 10

Table 2. Continued Compartment Stand Soil Map Unit Symbol Acres of Soil Map Unit Acres by Proposed Treatment Type 365 3 JkD 3 10 ac shltr JkF 3 2 ac - ESMZ TuF 6 Total 12 365 4 JkD 7 12 ac shltr JkF 1 1 ac - ESMZ TuF 5 Total 13 365 6 JkD 5 9 ac sdtr Su 0.05 1 ac - ESMZ TuF 5 Total 10 365 7 JkF 20 26 ac th Su 2 6 ac - ESMZ TuF 11 Total 32 365 9 JkD 3 9 ac th Su 4 3 ac - ESMZ TuF 5 Total 12 365 10 JkD 16 14 ac th Su 0.5 3 ac- ESMZ TuF 1 Total 17 Total Harvest Acres 662 Symbols for treatment types: cc clearcut regeneration, th-thinning, ESMZ- extended streamside management zone, sdtr-seedtree regeneration, shltr-shelterwood regeneration) Appendix E Soil Information Dinkey EA 11