10. Bull Meadow G to Z Cruise Plan_DRAFT.pdf

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Cruise Design and

Implementation Plan

Bull Meadow G to Z IRSC Sale Number: 25022

R6, Fremont-Winema National Forest, Southeast Zone – Lakeview Ranger District

Prepared by: Tony Hamilton, Timber Program Manager Willow Blanks, Silviculturist - SE Zone

Date: 03/12/2025

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CRUISE PLAN

Introduction:

a. Objectives

Increase the resiliency and sustainability of dry mixed conifer stands, improving stand health and vigor against impacts from drought, wildfire, insects, and disease. Move stand structure to a more sustainable future through variable thinning.

b. Treatment acreage The logging system will be mechanical harvest on approximately 2,527 acres.

c. Sale Type This is a scaled service contract, included timber is designated by prescription. Initial rough estimate of harvest is 8,029 MBF of sawtimber volume.

d. Target sampling error by Stratum and sale

Sale Error maximum 25% (unless agreed upon by Forest Service). Stratum error maximum 50%. (based on volume)

e. Applicable NEPA Decision This sale is within the analysis area of the Thomas Creek EA.

f. Species and Products Ponderosa pine, white fir, and lodgepole pine. Sawlog Product code 01. Non-saw or cull material will be recorded as 09.

g. Logging methods Logging system will be mechanical harvest (Feller-buncher/Harvester) with rubber-tired skidders and/or Cats and shovels.

Population estimates

Strata 1 – Dry Mixed Conifer Net Volume Tons Sample Group 1: Ponderosa Pine

42138 Sample Group 2: White Fir Sample Group 3: Lodgepole Pine Strata 2 – Dry Ponderosa Pine Net Volume Tons Sample Group 1: Ponderosa Pine 4182

Sample Group 2: White Fir

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Cruising Instructions:

a. Plot spacing, location, and numbering instructions

Plots will be established on a random spacing using GIS plot creation tool, plot numbers will be predetermined prior to cruise.

b. Tree measurement instructions

Reference Attachment “Timber Cruising in the Pacific Northwest” for instructions.

c. BAF’s, Measure tree selection, Limiting Distance, etc.

Sample plots will be variable radius plots with an anticipated BAF of 10. Trees within the Limiting Slope Distance from plot center will be considered “in”.

Limiting slope distance is calculated using the following formula:

LDs = DBH * PRF * SCF

Where: LDs = Limiting Slope Distance (in feet) DBH = Diameter at Breast Height in inches PRF = Plot Radius Factor. For a BAF of 20, the PRF = 1.944 SCF = Slope Correction Factor

d. Plot Monumentation instructions

1) All plots and plot numbers are predetermined using GIS and locations will be navigated to with GPS units. GPS units can include tablets or cell phones loaded with Avenza PDF Maps.

2) Attempt to get as close to the target as possible. Typically, a location within 20 feet of the target is acceptable, due to GPS error and changes in satellite locations. Without evaluating the surrounding stand (in order to avoid bias), identify plot center with a stake.

i. The stake will contain the following information – Sale name, unit number, plot number, date, and cruisers’ initials.

ii. A piece of pink-glo ribbon will be tied around the stake, and three pieces of pink-glo ribbon will be hung in a triangular fashion around plot center as possible.

iii. One flag hanging will have the following information written upon it with garden marker or grease pencil: Sale name, unit number, plot number, cruise method, date and cruisers’ initials.

3) Record all plot information on cruise card(s), which will be provided by the FS.

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4) Use the Limiting Distance formula for borderline trees. Note on cruise card any limiting distance calculations on cruise card with cruise tree number or description of leave tree.

Using back of card is fine.

5) Designate plot as a “Mirage (Walkthrough Method)” plot if appropriate, i.e. plot falling along edge of unit. (Walkthrough technique described below)

Dealing with Boundaries and Mirage (Walkthrough Method):

Using the Walkthrough Method Use the following procedure if a plot falls close to a boundary, such as an area to protect (ATP), special measures area (SMA), wildlife retention (WLR), other ownership, or any other situation in which the plot is close enough to a boundary that a tree could be double tallied.

Most of the time, this method will be able to quickly judge whether a tree should be recorded twice simply by looking at the location of the tree in relation to the boundary.

1. Take an azimuth from plot center aiming towards the center of the tree and measure this distance.

These numbers should be recorded if the tree ends up being double-tallied or if it was nearly double-tallied (e.g., Walkthrough: 278°, and 23.7’).

2. Now, continue walking on the same azimuth for the same distance from the center of the other side of the tree (for example, if the distance to the center of the tree was 23.7ft, you would ultimately walk on that azimuth 23.7’ * 2 = 47.4’ from plot center (plus the diameter of the tree). If you are now outside the sale unit, this tree will be recorded twice on the tree card: once wherever it originally occurred and then again after the ‘IN’ trees.

3. On the tree card, write “walkthrough method” below all the normally recorded trees and include any walkthrough trees here. Using aerosol, paint a horizontal line underneath the original painted number for this tree and paint its additional number below this line

4.Do not get hung on these plots, do a quick evaluation of In/Out trees record and move on. This will not be a point of emphasis in the checking process.

5. If the boundary line is posted, use a straight line from tag to tag on the nearest posted trees to determine the boundary. Hanging up a piece of string or flagging to establish a boundary on virtual boundaries if needed.

Sample Method:

Description of Sample method

Initial cruise will be Point method, all trees identified for cutting based on the attached marking guide will be measured/defected. This will be pre-cruise data to design final cruise, these plots will be incorporated into the final cruise. Final cruise will be Point Count Measure (most will be count plots, unless more measure samples are needed). Final cruise will be designed for 23% error. Number of final plots and frequencies will be determined after initial pre-cruise is completed.

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Timber Designation:

Cutting Unit Strata

Area (Acres)

RX

Type Logging Method Product

1 1 526 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 2 1 169 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 3 1 429 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 4 1 339 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 5 1 222 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 6 1 63 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 7 1 378 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 8 1 92 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 9 2 115 DxP Mechanical Sawlog 10 2 194 DxP Mechanical Sawlog

Strata Acres 1 2218 2 309

Total 2527

a. Paint colors

• Blue paint (non-tracer) will be used for designating cruise trees.

• Black paint will be used for any corrections that may be needed.

b. Tree designation instructions

Sale is a DxP

If operational trees or other need for trees designation is needed. Designated trees will be marked on the uphill and downhill sides. Two stump marks will be placed at the lowest possible point one the downhill side and one on the uphill side and in the most suitable area to allow best protection from the elements. Paint shall be applied thoroughly so that it is sprayed into bark fissure or depressions and make contact with the ground. The mark should be easily visible from a distance of 30 feet.

c. Cruise tree identification and mapping procedures

1) Cruise Plots will be clearly marked so check cruisers can relocate them. Cruise Trees should be legibly numbered.

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2) Legible, accurate records of marking guidelines, cruise design and data processing will be maintained. Cruise cards, plot and tree numbers must match plot and tree numbers on the ground.

3) The plot center will be monumented with a marker (for example, a pen flag or engineer stake.).

4) Tree number 1 will be the first "in" tree rotating clockwise from true north (use hand compass) on full plots. Tree number 1 will have its tree number and plot number painted on it facing plot center. Designated cruise trees will be identified using blue paint. Measure trees will be identified with number and “M” and count trees will be identified with a number and “C”. All designated leave trees on plot will be identifed with orange ribbon. If numbering mistake happens it is ok to have a number out of sequence, just note on cruise card. (note: does not need to be tracer paint)

5) The following "in" trees should be numbered in a clockwise direction from Tree number 1 (must meet all criteria):

• within the BAF range;

• meet minimum merchantable size specifications;

• meet merchantable quality specifications;

• meet merchantable species definition.

6) Double check all variable plot borderline trees using approved limiting distance formula.

Boundary Designations

This sale contains Virtual, Discernible, and Painted/Posted unit boundaries. A map showing painted boundary designations will be included with this cruise plan. Painted boundary trees follow the specifications:

• Paint boundary trees with one slanted line at breast height facing into the unit. Paint two directional lines facing the previous and next boundary tree above the slanted or vertical lines. Paint two butt marks on opposite sides of the tree, with the butt marks reaching the forest floor. Unit corners should be identified (eg: “BM IRSC Unit 5”).

• Marking of unit boundaries will include the use of orange tracer paint, high visibility boundary tags and blue flagging, when needed, to clearly separate units with common boundaries. Boundary tags and flagging, when used, should be placed on the same line as the painted boundary.

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Cruise Design:

a. Population/Stratification identification

There will be 2 strata based off of material being removed. See Timber Designation Section.

b. Number of samples per sample group (point method)

Strata 1 Number of

Plots Sample Group 1 (Ponderosa Pine)

20 Sample Group 2 (White Fir) Sample Group 3 (Lodgepole Pine)

Strata 2 Number of

Plots Sample Group 1 (Ponderosa Pine) 10

Sample Group 2 (White Fir)

• Estimation of final cruise 40-70 additional plots (point count measure)

Merchantability Specifications:

a. Minimum Piece length and DBH

• Ponderosa pine– 16’

• Lodgepole pine and White Fir – 8’

b. Minimum small-end DIB

• 6 inches for all species

c. Minimum DBH (inches) Merch Specifications

• Ponderosa pine – 9”

• White fir – 7”

• Lodgepole pine – 7”

d. Minimum number of pieces per tree All species – 1

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Cruise Inspection Protocol

The cruise inspection will:

1) Assess compliance with the cruise plan instructions.

2) Validate the field work by conducting a check cruise that includes:

a. Accuracy of tree measurements and species identification.

b. Accuracy and lack of bias in sample selection.

c. Defect estimates.

d. Tree and log grading (quality or product identification).

e. Quality of timber designation.

f. Sample (tree/plot/point) identification.

3) Assess data recording for legibility and accuracy, including timber measurement and area-determination data.

4) Review the care and use of cruising tools.

5) Verify use of appropriate volume and product estimators.

6) Use a scorecard for evaluating individual performance on field measurements.

7) Assess the cruiser's measurements and judgments by comparative analysis of check cruise data versus original data.

Shown below is an example of a cruise inspection card from Attachment 6 - FSM & FSH_Cruise Design-Plan and Cruise for Final Volume Estimates, 62.1 Exhibit 01. Tolerances and error values for cruising are defined by the Regional forester.