8. Banana Peel DxP IRSC Logging Plan.pdf

Banana Peel DxP IRSC Logging Plan Page 1

Banana Peel DxP IRSC

Log Plan Report

Salter EA, Boggy Rec 6 Block

Mancos Dolores Ranger District

San Juan National Forest

Dolores, Colorado

Prepared by:

S. Martin Aksentowitz

Forester

Banana Peel DxP IRSC Logging Plan Page 2

Contents Sale Purpose and Description

Resource Objectives and Silvicultural Prescription

Cruise Volume Summary, Merchantability Specifications, and Contract Restrictions

Unit Descriptions:

Transportation Plan

Sale Purpose and Description Banana Peel DxP IRSC falls under the Salter Environmental Analysis. The purpose of the Salter Environmental

Analysis is to: improve forest resilience and resistance to epidemic insect and disease outbreaks, increase the structural diversity of the Ponderosa Pine Forest represented across the landscape, and provide economic support to local communities by providing timber products to local industries in a sustainable manner.

Banana Peel DxP IRSC is located on the Mancos-Dolores Ranger District, San Juan National Forest. The service contract comprises 10 units, approximately 534.5 acres of Ponderosa Pine - Gambel oak vegetation. The contract area will be treated primarily with mechanized conventional ground-based logging systems, as there are no sustained slopes greater than 40% within the sale area. The contract area is located approximately 6 miles north of Dolores, Colorado.

Legal Description: Sections 5, 6 & 7. Township 38 North Range 14 West; Sections 1, 12, 32, & 33. Township 38 North Range 15 West; Montezuma County, CO. New Mexico Principal Meridian.

Resource Objectives and Silvicultural Prescription The resource objectives for Banana Peel DxP IRSC are:

• To improve resilience and resistance to disturbances.

• To reduce stand densities, improve stand structure, and remove trees of poor individual health in ponderosa pine stands.

• To break up fuel continuity, particularly ladder fuels, and remove fuels via harvest or burning activities.

• To create an environment conducive for regeneration and the establishment of a new cohort of trees.

• To prepare the stands so future RX burning can be conducted in a manner such that low intensity fire will remove litter and thin small pines without significant risk of crowing/torching.

• To prepare the stands so that, in the event of a wildfire, fire intensity is decreased, and tree mortality is minimal.

The Banana Peel Prescription will be executed using Leave Tree Mark (LTM) and Designation by Prescription (DxP) designations. All 10 units will have the same prescription. Unit 2 is designated leave tree mark (LTM) that serves as a demonstration of the desired conditions for the DxP portion of the contract. Throughout the contract area no trees greater than 22.0” DBH, or Pre-settlement trees may be removed. Pre-settlement trees are defined as having three or more of the following visually apparent physical indicators:

1. Large platy bark with smooth and orange appearance,

2. flat top and/or sparse crowns,

3. huge limbs,

4. spikey dead tops,

5. noticeable fire scars or “cat faces”,

6. “wolfy” appearance, or

7. the largest diameter or height in the area.

Ponderosa Pine 5.0” – 22.0” DBH will be removed to achieve a Basal Area target of 65 BA (+/-5BA) with desired structural conditions that include groups, clumps, individuals, interspace, and openings. Trees with evidence of conks, cankers, or advanced decay, weak or multiple forks, broken or dead tops, leans greater than 35 percent, a live crown

Banana Peel DxP IRSC Logging Plan Page 3 declining more than 25 percent, poor needle conditions, or otherwise grossly poor form will be removed. Dead trees under 22.0” will be removed except to achieve a wildlife snag target of one snag per acre of at least 12” DBH and larger.

Openings 0.25 – 2 acres in size may be created where insects or disease are present. Trees that are less than 20.0” DBH and within 20’ of the dripline of pre-settlement trees will be removed. Within aspen clones that are vigorous and larger than ¼ acre in size, encroaching conifer (≤22.0” DBH) will be removed, out to 30’- one aspen tree length (whichever is larger farther) from the edge of the clone footprint.

The Banana Peel contract includes optional line items for cutting, skidding, and of dead and non-saw ponderosa pine. This will create a need for larger and more frequent landings as more volume will be cut and multiple products will have to be sorted at the landing. Dead sawtimber and non-saw timber will be offered as timber subject to agreement.

This means that there is a possibility that the contractor will elect to take the wood, but if the contractor does not accept the timber subject to agreement, then the temp roads used to access the dead and non-saw decks will be left open. To close these temp roads, post-harvest follow-up contracts will need to be put in place to remove the dead and non-saw decks and close the temp road system, leaving them open for longer.

Cruise Volume Summary, Merchantability Specifications, and Contract Restrictions This cruise was designed with two strata, based on unit treatment needs. Stratum 1 consisted of one sample group with 27 variably sized PNT 10 BAF plots including live sawtimber only. Stratum 2 consisted of two sample groups with 27 FIX 1/5th acre plots including dead sawtimber, and live/dead non-sawtimber. Nested plots were used as the acreage between each stratum is the same. The contractual net volume includes 1248 CCF of live ponderosa pine sawtimber (8.74 CCF/acre). Optional volume is 3425 CCF of live ponderosa pine sawtimber. There is an un-estimated quantity of dead ponderosa pine sawtimber and live and dead ponderosa pine non-saw available as subject to agreement. See table 1 and 2 respectively for volume summary and minimum tree specifications.

Table 1. Sawtimber Volume Unit Acres Unit Vol. Live Saw Mandatory or Optional Harvest Method Designation

1 57.3 546.7 500.9 Mandatory 4220 – Comm. Thin. Designation by Prescription (DxP) 2 15.2 145.0 132.9 Mandatory 4220 – Comm. Thin. Leave Tree Mark (LTM) 3 97.3 928.3 850.6 Optional 4220 – Comm. Thin.

Designation by Prescription (DxP)

4 72.3 689.8 632.1 Optional 4220 – Comm. Thin.

5 40.1 382.6 350.6 Mandatory 4220 – Comm. Thin.

6 10.4 99.2 90.9 Mandatory 4220 – Comm. Thin.

7 52.7 502.8 460.7 Optional 4220 – Comm. Thin.

8 81.7 779.5 714.3 Optional 4220 – Comm. Thin.

9 87.8 837.7 767.6 Optional 4220 – Comm. Thin.

10 19.7 188.0 172.2 Mandatory 4220 – Comm. Thin.

SUM 534.5 5099.5 4672.8

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Table 2. Minimum Product Specification and Volume Table

Species Group Product Estimated Quantity

Unit of Measure

Minimum Tree Specifications Merchantable Tree Piece Required to be Removed

Diameter Breast

High

(DBH)

(inches)

Number of

Minimum Pieces per Tree Length (feet)

Diameter Inside Bark at

Small End (inches)

Merch.

Factor

Live Ponderosa Pine Sawtimber 1248 CCF 9.0 1 8.0 7.0 10.67x

Timber Subject to Agreement Dead Ponderosa

Pine Sawtimber Unestimated CCF 9.0 1 8.0 7.0 10.67x

Live and Dead Ponderosa Pine Non-Saw Unestimated CCF 5.0 1 6.5 4.0 8.00x

Table 3: Contract Operation Restriction Schedule Timeframe Restriction Description

April 1 to November 30 Normal Operating Season

March 1 to March 31 Operations prohibited to prevent soil damage during periods of soil saturation .

Labor Day holiday weekend (starting on Friday at 12:00 am and extending through Tuesday at 12:00am).

Hauling Prohibited to prevent conflict with recreationists. Memorial Day holiday weekend (starting on Friday at 12:00 am and extending through Tuesday at 12:00am).

July 4th and 5th (starting at 12:00 am on July 4th and ending at 12:00 am on July 6th) Dolores River Festival (day of event: 12:00 am through 12:00 am following day).

Hauling Prohibited on NFSR 526 to prevent conflict with recreationists.

Escalante Days (day of event: 12:00 am through 12:00 am following day).

Ride of the Ancients Gravel Grinder (day of event:

12:00 am through 12:00 am following day).

Dolores Harvest Festival and Car Show (day of event: 12:00 am through 12:00 am following day).

Year-Round

Wheeled or track laying equipment shall not be operated in areas identified, except on existing roads. Trees must be felled and skidded away from SPA. No decking, piling or staging may take place along SPA. SPA boundaries are identified on the Contract Area Map.

Unit Descriptions:

Unit 1 - 76.6 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Special protection area SW of unit along NFSR 528.1. Unit boundaries are painted with orange stripes along the boundary and a dot facing into the unit or discernable along NFSR

528.1 and existing temp road 528.1.T1. Planned access into the unit is via NFSR 528.1 and temp road 528.1.T1.

Unit 2 - 15.2 acres. Leave Tree Mark (LTM). Dispersed camping area is located south of unit and should be protected.

Boundary is with orange stripes along the boundary and a dot facing into the unit, except for discernable boundary along NFSR 528.1. No temporary roads planned for unit access, all access is via NFSR 528.1

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Unit 3 – 97.3 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Boggy OHV Trail runs through unit, northern-most portion of trail in the unit is shared with Temporary Road C. For portion of Boggy OHV Trail not used for temporary Road C, Boggy OHV Trail Protection Area in effect. No tracked or wheeled equipment will be allowed within 15 feet of the center line of a system trail to protect the integrity of the trail except where a trail crossing for skidding or hauling has been identified. Chain saws are authorized. No landings or piles allowed within 100 feet of trail. Discernable boundary along unit 4 follows fenceline, until virtual boundary takes over following streamcourse. All other boundaries are painted with orange stripes along the boundary and a dot facing into the unit. Shared boundary with Unit 5 is virtual. Planned access into unit via Temporary Road C from NFSR 528.1 and continued with Temporary Roads C.1 and C.2.

Unit 4 - 72.3 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Dispersed camping area is located north of unit and should be protected. Boggy OHV Trail runs through unit, Boggy OHV Trail Protection Area in effect. No tracked or wheeled equipment will be allowed within 15 feet of the center line of a system trail to protect the integrity of the trail except where a trail crossing for skidding or hauling has been identified. Chain saws are authorized. No landings or piles allowed within 100 feet of trail. Discernable boundary along NFSR 528.1 to west, and along fenceline for units 3 and 5 to east. Virtual boundary exists at north shared boundary with unit 3 follows streamcourse. All other boundaries are painted with orange stripes along the boundary and a dot facing into the unit. Planned access into unit via NFSR 528.1, and Temporary Roads D and E.

Unit 5 - 40.1 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Boggy OHV Trail runs through unit, Boggy OHV Trail Protection Area in effect. No tracked or wheeled equipment will be allowed within 15 feet of the center line of a system trail to protect the integrity of the trail except where a trail crossing for skidding or hauling has been identified. Chain saws are authorized. No landings or piles allowed within 100 feet of trail. Discernable boundary follows Boggy OHV trail to west. Virtual boundaries along shared border with unit 3 to north. A short virtual boundary exists connecting Boggy OHV Trail and fenceline which serves as discernable boundary with unit 4. All other boundaries are painted with orange stripes along the boundary and a dot facing into the unit. Planned access into unit via Temporary Road E through Unit 4, which splits into Temporary Road E.1 and E.2

Unit 6 – 10.4 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Dispersed camping area is located east of unit and should be protected. Fenceline runs through center of unit. Discernable boundary along NFSR 527. All other boundaries are painted with orange stripes along the boundary and a dot facing into the unit.

Unit 7 – 52.4 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Boggy OHV Trail runs through unit, Boggy OHV Trail Protection Area in effect. No tracked or wheeled equipment will be allowed within 15 feet of the center line of a system trail to protect the integrity of the trail except where a trail crossing for skidding or hauling has been identified. Chain saws are authorized. No landings or piles allowed within 100 feet of trail. Discernable boundary follows Boggy OHV trail to north. Powerline Protection Area in effect, no landings or piles within 200 feet of powerline. Planned access into unit via NFSR 527 which serve as discernable boundary for east and south. All other boundaries are painted with orange stripes along the boundary and a dot facing into the unit.

Unit 8 – 81.7 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Powerline Protection Area in effect, no landings or piles within 200 feet of powerline. Planned access into unit via Temporary Road 527.K1.T and H from NFSR 527. Powerline Protection Area in effect, no landings or piles within 200 feet of powerline. Discernable boundaries along Temporary Road 527.K1.T to north, and fenceline to west and south. Portion of southern boundary is virtual boundary.

Unit 9 – 87.8 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Planned access to unit is via NFSR 527 which serves as discernable north boundary, and NFSR 527.K1.T which serves as discernable boundary to south. Eastern boundary is virtual.

Unit 10 – 19.7 acres. Designation by Prescription (DxP). Boggy OHV Trail runs through unit, Boggy OHV Trail Protection Area in effect. No tracked or wheeled equipment will be allowed within 15 feet of the center line of a system trail to protect the integrity of the trail except where a trail crossing for skidding or hauling has been identified. Chain saws are authorized. No landings or piles allowed within 100 feet of trail. Discernable boundary follows Boggy OHV trail to

Banana Peel DxP IRSC Logging Plan Page 6 south. Primary access is via NFSR 527.G which serves as discernable boundary to east. All other boundaries are painted with orange stripes along the boundary and a dot facing into the unit.

Transportation Plan No new roads are planned to be constructed, relocated, or reconstructed.. T-801, T-802, T-803, T-804, T-805, and

T-807, Pre, during, and post road maintenance is currently planned for 527, 527.G, 528.1. Together, these three roads total 4.6 miles of road maintenance.

PRE/DURING/POST HAUL ROAD MAINTENANCE

ROAD

TERMINI

MILES

ROAD MAINTENACE T-SPECIFICATIONS

FROM TO T-801 T-802 T-803 T-804 T-805 T-807

527.0 0.0 2.5 2.5 C C C C C C 527.G 0.0 0.3 0.3 C C C C C C

528.1 0.0 1.8 1.8 C C C C C C

There are 12 planned temporary roads totaling 3.6 miles outlined on the table below.

Temp Road Table Temp road Name Miles Existing or New

527.K1.T 0.92 Existing 75% A 0.16 Existing 50% C 0.87 Existing 75%

C.1 0.11 Existing 75% C.2 0.12 New Construction

D 0.41 Existing 50% E 0.33 Existing 75%

E.1 0.14 New Construction E.2 0.08 New Construction G 0.08 Existing 75% H 0.31 New Construction I 0.07 Existing 75%

Total Temp Mileage 3.60 New Temp Mileage 0.65

Temp Mileage @ 50% rate 0.57 Temp Mileage @ 75 % rate 2.38