05_Final_SleepyDogDxP_LoggingPlan_InformationReference.pdf

LOGGING PLAN

Sleepy Dog DxP

IRSC

San Juan National Forest Pagosa Ranger District

Prepared by: Will Weisman, Forester

Table of Contents Overview

Road Systems

Landings/Skidding

Prescriptions and Designations

Protected Improvements and Resources

Stream Course Protections

Operating Seasons

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Overview The Sleepy Dog DxP IRSC is located on the Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest. This Contract implements part of the Decision Notice for Junction-Falls Integrated Resource Management EA. The Sleepy Dog DxP IRSC is located on the Columbine Ranger District, San Juan National Forest. The sale area consists of 5 cutting units totaling 241.72 acres. The project area is approximately 4 miles northwest of Durango, CO in the Junction Creek landscape.

Minimal improvement of system roads is required for hauling.

Table 1 – Unit Summary

Cutting Unit Description Area Logging Method Payment Unit Prescription

01 Unit 1 32.77 491 - Mechanical 01 DxP

02 Unit 2 38.16 491 - Mechanical 01 DxP

03 Unit 3 50.36 491 - Mechanical 01 DxP

04 Unit 4 34.63 491 - Mechanical 01 DxP

05 Unit 5 85.80 491 - Mechanical 01 DxP

Road Systems

Main National Forest System Roads

Junction Creek Rd, NFSR 171 is a well-maintained (ML3) chip and seal road and features heavy use during the spring through fall. NFSR 632, 632.A, 632.A1, 632.B spurs adjoin this road (primarily closed ML1 spur roads) and are located behind a gate at the Log Chutes trail head. A trail system exists along these roads which sees moderate traffic from mountain bikers, hikers, and runners.

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Temporary Roads

Landings/Skidding

• With few exceptions, skidding will be downhill. Some units may require short sections of adverse skidding. Units 3 and 15 may have skidding distances exceeding 1500 feet and may require long sections of adverse skidding.

Cutting Unit Average Skid Distance (ft) Percent of Vol

Weighted Average Distance

(ft) # of Landings

1 1074 13.56% 145.6 1

2 1074 15.79% 169.5 2

3 888 20.83% 185.0 2

4 734 14.33% 105.1 2

5 824 35.50% 292.4 3

Total 918.8 100% 897.8 10

Prescriptions and Designations

Boundaries are designated virtually. Refer to georeferenced map for unit boundaries. Additionally, boundaries are flagged for reference. Prescription is Designation by Prescription (DxP).

Operations Restriction

All activities will be prohibited in all units from December 1st to April 30th for big game winter habitat.

Protected Improvements and Resources

• Improvements to be protected in association with the road network include gates, recreational trails, and survey monuments identified on the contract area map.

Temp Road # Miles Construction Needs U5-T1 0.15 Reconstruction Required Total 0.15

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Stream Course Protections

• Ephemeral streams are the only type of classified streams located inside cutting units within this contract. These stream features are present in Cutting Units 1,2,3, and 4. Vegetation removal in these stream corridors is allowable so long as best management practices are applied.

Slash Whole tree skidding or in-wood processing are both allowed under this contract. Changes in Slash treatments provision will be included in this contract to allow for unforeseen changes needed in the basic requirements below.

Piling

Machines used to pile slash shall be equipped with a brush blade or acceptable equivalent.

The Contractor shall pile approximately 80% of the slash within the unit at areas approved by the Forest Service. Piles shall be reasonably compact and free of soil to facilitate burning.

Piles shall be located at 25 feet outside the dripline from residual trees so that burning will not result in damage to residual trees. Piles will be at least 10 feet in height and 15 feet long, but no more than 50 feet long; with no maximum height.

Slash piling will be on flat areas or gently slopes, and a safe distance away from steep slopes, streamcourses, springs and riparian identified on Contract Area Map.

Landing

A landing is considered a place where any logs or products are gathered for loading. All slash and material not meeting utilization standards accumulated at landings shall be piled as described in the Piling provision listed above.

Slashing

All un-piled slash less than 6 inches in diameter at the large end will lie within 2 feet of the ground. Slash and cut un-merchantable material 6 inches and larger in diameter at the large end shall be made to lie flat on the ground.

Fell Damaged Residuals

Contractor shall fell all species not meeting minimum specifications for Included Timber that are damaged beyond recovery by the Contractor’s Operations. A damaged tree is one over two inches (2”) diameter at breast height (DBH), and either:

4) has the top knocked out,

4) leans more than 10 degrees,

4) has less than one-half of its original live crown, or

4) has bark removed on more than 50% of the circumference of its bole.

Operating Seasons The Normal Operating Season is June 1st – November 30th.

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