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Achieving Sustainable Forest Management in the Southeastern USA

Achieving Sustainable Forest Management in the Southeastern USA. November 4 th Management Responses: BMPs, Watershed Protection, Soil Productivity, Relevant Certification Standards, Forest Science, Best Practices. FSC 1. Compliance 2. Tenure 3. Indigenous Peoples 4. Community/Workers

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Achieving Sustainable Forest Management in the Southeastern USA

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  1. Achieving Sustainable Forest Management in the Southeastern USA November 4th Management Responses: BMPs, Watershed Protection, Soil Productivity, Relevant Certification Standards, Forest Science, Best Practices

  2. FSC 1. Compliance 2. Tenure 3. Indigenous Peoples 4. Community/Workers 5. Benefits 6. Environmental Impact 7. Management Plan 8. Monitoring/Assess. 9. HCVF’s 10. Plantations SFI 1. Broaden the Practice 2. Ensure LT Prod./Cons. 3. Protect Water 4. Manage Wildlife, Conserve Diversity 5. Manage Visual Impact 6. Ecologic, Geologic, Historic Signif. 7. Efficient Use 8. Broaden Practice-Procurement* 9. Public Reporting 10. Public/Comm. Particip. Applicable Standards/Objectives

  3. FSC 6.3 6.5 (Principle & Criterion) SFI 4.1.2.1.4 (Objective & Performance Measure) Soil Productivity

  4. FSC Principle 6. Environmental ImpactForest management shall conserve biological diversity and its associated values, water resources, soils, and unique and fragile ecosystems and landscapes, and, by doing so, maintain ecological functions and the integrity of the forest.

  5. Ecological functions and values shall be maintained intact, enhanced or restored including: Natural cycles that affect the productivity of the forest ecosystem. Criterion 6.3 (Soil Productivity)

  6. Criterion 6.5 (Soil Productivity)Written guidelines shall be prepared and implemented to control erosion; minimize forest damage during harvesting, road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances; and protect water resources.

  7. SFI on Soil Conservation 2002-2004 Standard • Objective 2. Ensure long-term forest productivity and conservation of forest resources through prompt reforestation, soil conservation, afforestation and other measures. • (6 Performance Measures)

  8. Performance Measure 4 (4.1.2.1.4)Program Participants shall implement management practices to protect and maintain forest and soil productivity.

  9. FSC 5.5 6.3 6.5 (Principles & Criterion) SFI 4.1.3.1.1 4.1.3.1.2 4.1.3.1.3 4.1.3.1.4 (Objectives & Performance Measures) BMPs/Riparian/Water Quality Protection

  10. SFI on Water Quality - 2002-2004 StandardObjective 3. Protect the water quality in streams, lakes, and other waterbodies.(4 Performance Measures)

  11. Performance Measure 1 (4.1.3.1.1)Program Participants shall meet or exceed Best Management Practices developed under EPA-approved state water quality programs and meet or exceed all applicable state water quality laws and regulations and the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act.

  12. Performance Measure 2 (4.1.3.1.2)Program Participants shall develop (where they do not currently exist), implement, and document riparian protection measures based on soil type, terrain, vegetation and other applicable factors.

  13. Performance Measure 3 (4.1.3.1.3)Program Participants shall, individually, through cooperative efforts, or through AF&PA, provide funding for water quality research.

  14. Performance Measure 4 (4.1.3.1.4)Program Participants shall require BMP training for employees in forest management and wood procurement operations and shall encourage training in forest management and harvesting contractors.

  15. FSC Principle 5. Benefits from the Forest Forest management operators shall encourage the efficient use of the forest’s multiple products and services to ensure economic viability and a wide range of environmental and social benefits.

  16. Criterion 5.5 (BMPs/Riparian/Water Quality Protection) Forest management operators shall recognize, maintain, and, where appropriate, enhance the value of forest services and resources such as watersheds and fisheries.

  17. Criterion 6.3 (Water Quality) Ecological functions and values shall be maintained intact, enhanced, or restored, including: Natural cycles that affect the productivity of the forest ecosystem.

  18. Criterion 6.5 (Water Quality) Written guidelines shall be prepared and implemented to control erosion; minimize forest damage during harvesting, road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances; and protect water resources.

  19. Video Presentation

  20. Ecological functions and values shall be maintained intact, enhanced or restored including: Natural cycles that affect the productivity of the forest ecosystem. Criterion 6.3 (Soil Productivity) • Post-harvest management activities maintain soil fertility, structures, and functions. • If soil quality degradation occurs, as indicated by declining fertility or forest health, forest owners or managers modify soil management techniques. • Management should strive to maintain natural nutrient cycles by leaving residues in the forest and minimizing soil disturbance.

  21. Duke - FSC/SmartWood • Condition 5: Within one year, Duke Forest shall develop, document and implement a formal protocol that specifies the various planning considerations at the site level and options for minimizing the environmental impact to the site.

  22. Bladen Lakes - FSC/SmartWood • Condition 8: Within two years of the issuance of a certificate, NCDFR shall evaluate the impact of long-term, frequent pine straw harvesting and the use of fire for site preparation on nutrient cycling, and develop and implement a plan for mitigating any negative effect(s) identified (Criterion 4.6.3).

  23. Criterion 6.5 (Soil Productivity)Written guidelines shall be prepared and implemented to control erosion; minimize forest damage during harvesting, road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances; and protect water resources.

  24. Criterion 6.5 (Soil Productivity) • Topographic maps specify areas suitable for all-weather harvesting or dry-weather only; and indicate locations for haul roads, loading decks, main skid trails, drainage structures, streamside and/or roadside buffer zone, and conservation areas. • Logging and Site Preparation • Logging operations and construction of roads and skid trails are conducted only during periods of weather when soil is least susceptible to compaction, surface erosion, or sediment transport into streams and other bodies of water.

  25. Criterion 6.5 (Soil Productivity) • Silvicultural techniques and logging equipment vary with slope, erosion hazard rating, and/or soil instability with the goal of minimizing soil disturbance. • Plans for site preparation specify the following mitigation to minimize impacts to the forest resource: • Scarification of soils is limited to the minimum necessary to achieve successful regeneration of desired species. • Topsoil is minimally disturbed • Access to temporary and permanent roads is controlled to minimized impacts to soil and biota while allowing legitimate access as identified in the management plan..

  26. Duke - FSC/SmartWood • Condition 8: Within one year, Duke Forest shall develop techniques and begin to implement some assessment of (1) plantation soil fertility (this may consist of foliar nutrient analysis) and (2) whether soil compaction occurs during harvest/site preparation activities (Criterion 4.6.5).

  27. Performance Measure 4 (4.1.2.1.4)…Program Participants shall implement management practices to protect and maintain forest and soil productivity. Core: 1) Written policy to protect and maintain forest and soil productivity. 2) Soil maps used where possible. 3) A process to identify soils vulnerable to compaction and use appropriate methods to avoid excessive soil disturbance. 4) Use of erosion control measures to minimize the loss of soil and site productivity.

  28. Performance Measure 4 (4.1.2.1.4)…Program Participants shall implement management practices to protect and maintain forest and soil productivity. Core:5) Field observations indicate that post harvest conditions are conducive to maintaining site productivity (e.g., limited rutting, retained down woody debris, minimized skid trails, etc.) 6) Field observations indicate that, where practicing partial harvesting, vigorous trees are retained consistent with silvicultural norms for the area. 7) Criteria to address harvesting and site preparation to protect soil productivity in place. 8) Road construction is kept to the minimum necessary to meet management objectives efficiently.

  29. Bladen Lakes - SFI • Objective 2 (soil productivity), Performance Measure 4: BLSF claimed that its soil protection standards are embodied in its timber sale contracts, but such language was only in draft form. BLSF has remedied this major non-conformance by providing the final contract language.

  30. Performance Measure 4 (4.1.2.1.4)…Program Participants shall implement management practices to protect and maintain forest and soil productivity. Other:1) Forest productivity and capability mapped to match tree species and families to optimize growth and productivity. 2) Soil productivity monitored to determine when appropriate amelioration and fertilization may be appropriate. 3) Abandoned forest roads and trails ripped and planted to return them to production.

  31. Performance Measure 1 (4.1.3.1.1)…Program Participants shall meet or exceed Best Management Practices developed under EPA-approved state water quality programs and meet or exceed all applicable state water quality laws and regulations and the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act. Core: 1) Written policy to implement state BMPs during all phases of management activities. 2) Field staff and contractors trained in water quality laws and state BMPs. 3) A system to achieve continuing compliance with applicable regulatory requirements.

  32. Performance Measure 1 (4.1.3.1.1)…Program Participants shall meet or exceed Best Management Practices developed under EPA-approved state water quality programs and meet or exceed all applicable state water quality laws and regulations and the requirements of the federal Clean Water Act. Core: 4) Available regulatory action information demonstrates a commitment to legal compliance. 5) Contract provisions specify BMP compliance. 6) Plans are in place to address wet weather events (e.g., inventory systems, wet weather tracts, defining acceptable operations conditions, etc.) 7) Monitoring of overall BMP implementation.

  33. NCSU - SFI Originally, five major non-conformances and three major non-conformances were found regarding Objective 3 (protection of water quality): • Collectively, the number and degree of non-conformances showed a lack of a system for BMP monitoring and compliance. NCSU remedied this major non-conformance by training all staff and students working on the forest in BMPs, developing BMP inspection procedures, and establishing a quarterly monitoring and inspection process (which has been used for one cycle.

  34. NCSU - SFI • The overall forest plan state that “all new roads shall meet State BMP standards”, but a new road on the Hosley Forest included a number of BMP violations. NCSU remedied this major non-conformance by correcting these violations, but some deficiencies (and a minor non-conformance) remain. • There was no evidence that the contractor who worked on the Hosley road site had been trained in BMPs. NCSU remedied this minor non-conformance by preparing an instructional packet and process for use with contractors.

  35. NCSU - SFI • On another site on the Hosley Forest, an improperly installed culvert was found introducing sediment into a pond. NCSU remedied this minor non-conformance by adding proper fill material, and cleaning a ditch above the culvert. • On a site on the Goodwin Forest, a marked SMZ was less than half of the prescribed 50 feet. Heavy equipment had been operating within the SMZ on a slope constructing a prescribed fire line which had no water bars and which had not been re-vegetated. In addition, a nearby perennial stream had not be mapped. NCSU remedied this major non-conformance by correcting these BMP violations and mapping the stream.

  36. NCSU - SFI • On another site on the Goodwin Forest, heavy equipment had been used on a significant slope along an SMZ to construct a prescribed fire line which had no water bars and which had not been re-vegetated. NCSU remedied this minor non-conformance by correcting these BMP violations. • On a site on the Hill Forest, an old road and a plowed prescribed fire line on a significant slope had no water bars and had not been re-vegetated, and water was running in the plow furrow. NCSU remedied this major non-conformance by correcting this BMP violation.

  37. NCSU - SFI • On another site on the Hill Forest, road-surface runoff was eroding the road and dumping directly into a perennial stream. NCSU remedied this major non-conformance by correcting this BMP and FPG violation, but in the process, a minor non-conformance was found: side flow around an old culvert at the site.

  38. Performance Measure 2 (4.1.3.1.2)…Program Participants shall develop (where they do not currently exist), implement, and document riparian protection measures based on soil type, terrain, vegetation and other applicable factors. Core: 1) Written policy addressing management and protection of waterbody and riparian zones. 2) Perennial streams, lakes and other riparian zones mapped as specified in state BMPs and, where appropriate, identified on the ground. 3) Field observations indicate that waterbody and riparian zone management and protection plans are implemented.

  39. Bladen Lakes - SFI • Objective 3 (water quality), Performance Measures 1 and 2: a perennial-stream SMZ on a thinning was non-existent at one point, with equipment operating up to the stream bank, but with no apparent damage. BLSF proposes to remedy this minor non-conformance by visibly delineating all SMZs, meeting with operators on-site prior to harvesting, and monitoring operations more closely. If this is not accomplished in time to guide future operations, this could be considered a major non-conformance in a future audit.

  40. Performance Measure 2 (4.1.3.1.2)…Program Participants shall develop (where they do not currently exist), implement, and document riparian protection measures based on soil type, terrain, vegetation and other applicable factors. Core: 4) Non-forested wetlands, including bogs, fens, vernal pools, and marshes of significant size, are identified and protected. 5) A system in place to achieve continuing compliance with applicable regulatory requirements. 6) Available regulatory action information demonstrates a commitment to legal compliance. 7) Where regulations of BMPs do not currently exist to protect riparian areas, experts are involved in identifying appropriate protection measures.

  41. Bladen Lakes - SFI • Objective 3 (water quality), Performance Measures 1 and 2: an unvegetated road-side drainage ditch on clayey soil emptied directly into a perennial stream. BLFS had remedied this minor non-conformance by providing video covering a diversion, rip-rap, and a revegetated site. • Objective 3 (water quality), Performance Measures 1 and 2: there was no SMZ in some sections along an old ditch apparently dug in a natural drainage, but no apparent damage ensued (minor non-conformance). If the status and management guidelines for various types of ditches is not clarified in time to guide future operations, this could be considered a major non-conformance in a future audit.

  42. Performance Measure 3 (4.1.3.1.3)…Program Participants shall, individually, through cooperative efforts, or through AF&PA, provide funding for water quality research. Core: 1) Current financial or in-kind support for research.

  43. Performance Measure 4 (4.1.3.1.4)…Program Participants shall require BMP training for employees in forest management and wood procurement operations and shall encourage training for forest management and harvesting contractors. Core: 1) Written policy to train those employees and operators responsible for implementing BMPs to protect water quality. 2) BMP training sessions for employees are required and documented and similar sessions are encouraged and documented for contractors.

  44. Criterion 5.5 (BMPs/Riparian/Water Quality Protection) Forest management operators shall recognize, maintain, and, where appropriate, enhance the value of forest services and resources such as watersheds and fisheries. • Forest management does not degrade water quality, fish habitat, or riparian habitats. • Interviews with fishing and recreational groups indicate positive or neutral impact on fisheries and other recreational resources. • Field observations indicate normal, natural levels of siltation and sedimentation in or near watercourses.

  45. FSC Principle 6. Environmental ImpactForest management shall conserve biological diversity and its associated values, water resources, soils, and unique and fragile ecosystems and landscapes, and, by doing so, maintain ecological functions and the integrity of the forest.

  46. Criterion 6.3 (Water Quality) • Ecological functions and values shall be maintained intact, enhanced, or restored, including: Natural cycles that affect the productivity of the forest ecosystem. • Hydrological functions, including those of wetlands and other sensitive areas, are maintained, enhanced, and/or restored.

  47. Criterion 6.5 (Water Quality) Written guidelines shall be prepared and implemented to control erosion; minimize forest damage during harvesting, road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances; and protect water resources. • Maps and work plans are produced at adequate scale to be useful for supervision of soil and water resource management and protection activities and to facility on-site monitoring thereof.

  48. Criterion 6.5 (Water Quality) Written guidelines shall be prepared and implemented to control erosion; minimize forest damage during harvesting, road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances; and protect water resources. • Transportation System • Failed drainage structures or other areas of active erosion caused by roads and skid trails are identified, and measures are taken to correct the drainage problems and stabilize erosion. • Road surfaces are well drained, culverts are large enough to avoid ponding and water bars installed and effective.

  49. NCSU - FSC/SmartWood • Condition 10: Within one year, NCSU shall develop preharvest documentation that includes standards for new road construction, skid trails, and landings. • Condition 11: Within one year, NCSU shall develop guidelines that describe those factors that indicate when exceeding BMPs may be required.

  50. Criterion 6.5 (Water Quality) Written guidelines shall be prepared and implemented to control erosion; minimize forest damage during harvesting, road construction, and all other mechanical disturbances; and protect water resources. • Stream and Water Quality Protection • No road fill is placed in stream courses. • Stream crossings are located to minimize fragmentation of aquatic habitat and maintain water quality, and constructed at the angle that causes the least environmental impact.

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