Exhibit 12 - BMP 1 Protocol.doc

Instructions for Completing the S&G Implementation and Effectiveness Field Form National Forests in North Carolina

A. District.

Identify the District name where the project is located.

B. Date.

Date of the Evaluation.

C. Project Name.

Identify the timber sale name or other name associated with the project.

D. Reviewer.

Identify the names of the people doing the evaluation.

E. Compartment #.

List the compartment number where the activity is located.

F. 6th Level HUC #.

Identify the watershed where the activity is located.

G. Activity.

Mark the type of project evaluated. Indicate the harvest type and method, such as LTM/T or the system road number.

H. Status.

Indicate the status of the operation.

I. Harvest Unit Evaluated.

If the activity is within a harvest unit, indentify the harvest unit number.

J. GPS.

List the longitude, latitude, elevation and accuracy of the reading.

K. Applicable S&G or Mitigating Measures. This is a listing of practices or standards used or required by the LRMP or State regulations.

Implement.

Indicate how the practice was applied (implemented). Use the rating scale, (1) (bad) to (5) (excellent) at the bottom of the form. A (4) indicates the operation meets or exceeds the requirements, while (1) indicates there is a gross departure from the requirements and corrective action is needed. NA indicates the practice was not applicable or not examined.

Effectiveness.

Indicate how well the practice worked. Use the rating (1) (bad) to (5) (excellent). A (4) indicates adequate resource protection. A (1) indicates a major long-term impact where corrective action is needed.

Visible Sediment. Indicate whether or not visible sediment is reaching a perennial or intermittent stream channel. Visible sediment is defined in the State’s Forest Practice Guidelines Related to Water Quality as “solid particulate matter, both mineral and organic, which can be seen with the unaided eye that has been or is being transported by water, air, gravity, or ice from its site of origin. This does not normally include colloidal sized particles.”

Use the following rating scale:

1. Critical visible sediment flow reaches stream channel. Document with photo if possible.

2.

Non-critical visible sediment flow reaches stream channel.

3.

No visible sediment to stream channel. Visible sediment defined by NC Regulations (.0102(19)).

A non-critical (2) amount of visible sediment is a low volume, short term sediment source that does not adversely affect aquatic habitats. A critical (1) amount of visible sediment is a large volume, which may be deposited over a long term. The component structure of the stream is altered, which adversely affects aquatic habitats. A stream that has a critical sediment source is obvious, even to the casual observer.

** Practice Basis.

Legal or policy direction that requires the practice.

N/P LRMP – The Nantahala Pisgah Land and Resource Management Plan.

NC FPGRWQ – The North Carolina Forest Practice Guidelines Related to Water Quality regulations (15 NCAC 1I .0101-.0209).

7730 Letter – The 7730/2520 letter dated November 28, 1990, signed by Forest Supervisor Bjorn Dahl to the Forest Management Team concerning “Specified Road Construction and Water Quality.”

The following sections are line by line instructions for the completing the form. The numbers refer to the line number on the form.

1. HARVEST AREA INCLUDING SKID TRAIL/LOG DECK. This section of lines 1-25 is only for evaluation of the harvest area activities and does NOT include temporary and system roads. Skid trails and log landings are included in this section.

1. Best Location to Protect Site. Evaluate if the skid trails, skid roads and log decks constructed for or during the project serve the site in the most efficient and environmentally protective way.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states:

The project’s access system should be located in a manner that best fits the site. “During the transportation planning and road location… (was) historic, geologic physiographic, and soils information (used) to locate potential problem areas and to select the best road location that were least degrading to the natural resources?”

2. Breaks in Grade Used. Evaluate if breaks in skid trails or skid road grade were used effectively rather than relying on “cut in” dips.

3. Barriers Used if Within 300 Feet Perennial/Intermittent Channel. Evaluate whether or not a brush barrier or other means such as silt fences of stopping accelerated erosion have been constructed and installed whenever there is a large area of bare soil created by the project.

Evaluate the effectiveness of this feature or structure in trapping the eroded soil that is leaving the site. Evaluate whether or not visible sediment is reaching a stream channel.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Protect water quality by applying appropriate mitigation wherever there is any construction requiring earth movement within 300 feet of perennial or intermittent streams or lakes. Use brush barriers and adequate cover of disturbed soils at the construction site.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0201 (a) and (b) states: “(a) A stream management zone (SMZ) shall be established and maintained along the margins of intermittent and perennial streams and perennial waterbodies. The SMZ shall be of sufficient width to confine within the SMZ visible sediment resulting from accelerated erosion. (b) Ground cover, or other means, within the SMZ shall be sufficient to restrain accelerated erosion.”

GUIDANCE:

7730 Letter (III-2) states: “… place hay bales where necessary in front of brush barriers to ensure good ground contact and provide effective sediment control.”

4. Drainage NOT to Stream Channel. Evaluate whether or not the drainage features or structures in the access system outlet surface runoff into any type of stream channel and whether the location is effective at preventing surface runoff from entering the channel system.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Design broad-based dips and ditch outlets so that runoff water will infiltrate soils and erosion will be deposited before reaching stream channels.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0201 and .0203 (4) imply that the access system drainage should be outletted in a manner that visible sediments do not enter perennial or intermittent stream channels.

5. No Skidding in Ephemeral Channel. Evaluate whether or not skid trails follow and ephemeral channels. No skidding down ephemeral channels should occur. Skidding across ephemeral channels without special protection is acceptable.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Skid timber in areas other than intermittent or ephemeral channels. Use standard crossings described in Management Area 18 to skid across intermittent streams.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203(2) states that: “no stream channel or perennial waterbody shall be used as an access road or skid trail.”

6. Shade Strips in Place – Perennial Streams. Evaluate whether shade has been left along the entire length of perennial streams.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Maintain appropriate stream temperatures and stream environment, and protect stream banks. Maintain a near continuous cover using a combination of overstory and understory forest vegetation for 30 feet on either side of a perennial stream… In cable logging units, near continuous cover may sometimes be provided by understory vegetation only. Create corridors through riparian areas by cutting the overstory to prevent uprooting of trees along stream banks in cable yarding units.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0208 states: “Adequate shade within SMZs associated with natural perennial streams shall be retained to protect these streams from adverse temperature fluctuations which result in a violation of an adopted water quality standard of the Environmental Management Commission as contained in Rule 15 NCAC 2B .0211 – Fresh Surface Water Classifications and Standards.”

Shade Strips in Place – Intermittent Streams. Evaluate whether shade has been left along the entire length of the intermittent stream channels.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Maintain appropriate stream temperatures and protect banks of intermittent streams. Maintain an adequate covering of shading and erosion controlling vegetation for 15 feet on either side of intermittent streams from the head of the perennial stream channel to the upper limit of the intermittent channel in Management Areas 1 through 17.”

7. No Logging Debris in Perennial/Intermittent channel. Evaluate if logging debris has fallen in the perennial or intermittent stream channels. The concern is for obstruction of streamflow both on site and at downstream constrictions such as bridges or culverts. Also, there is a State law/regulation prohibiting logging debris in the channels.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0202 states: “Stream obstruction and the impediment of stream flow and/or degrading of water quality shall be prevented by keeping debris from construction, harvesting, mill site residue and site preparation out of intermittent and perennial streams and perennial waterbodies.”

8. Harvesting Within MA-18 (SMZ). Evaluate if the harvesting is or has occurred within MA-18 and if so, does it meet the Plan direction. Indicate by Y(es) or N(o) if harvesting is located within MA-18 the Riparian Management area. Do not leave this field blank.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Use modified harvest methods to meet management area objectives when Management Area 18 lies within a management area that produces a continuous supply of timber products. Manage land for 30 feet on either side of a stream as not selected for timber production. Use group selection in harvest units up to ¼ acre as the preferred method unless other harvest methods are more appropriate to site specific conditions.”

9. Violation Within MA-18 (SMZ). Evaluate whether or not any of the “prohibited” practices are located within MA-18.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states that the following activities are prohibited in riparian areas (MA-18): “Developed roads and trails except to cross area; Log landing and loading areas; Mechanical site preparation and mechanical timber stand improvements; and Depositing of waste materials.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0201(c) states that “Access roads and skid trails… logging decks, and mill sites should be placed outside the SMZs. When barriers such as property lines or limiting land features prohibit the location of any of these outside the SMZs, they can be located within the SMZs. When located within SMZs they shall have effective erosion control and sediment control structures installed to restrain accelerated erosion and prevent visible sediment from entering intermittent or perennial streams or perennial waterbodies.”

10. Rehab Stable Within 30 Days: Skid Trails. Evaluate if the skid trails (and skid roads) have been rehabilitated in an adequate and timely manner.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Accomplish revegetation practices or other erosion protection for exposed cut and fill slopes within 30 days of initial soil disturbance. Establish a ground cover of permanent vegetation that effectively eliminates the movement of soil from the site by the end of the first growing season following completion of the activity. Correct any deficiencies within 5 months except in highly sensitive areas where corrective action will be taken immediately.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0209 states: “Areas on the project site that have the potential for accelerated erosion, resulting in concentrate flow directly entering an intermittent or perennial stream or perennial waterbody, shall be provided with ground cover or other means of adequate sedimentation control within 30 working days after ceasing any phase of an operation or beginning a period of inactivity. Treatment and maintenance of these areas shall be sufficient to restrain accelerated erosion and prevent visible sediment from entering intermittent and perennial streams and perennial waterbodies until the site is permanently stabilized.”

11. Rehab Stable Within 30 Days: Log Decks. Evaluate as in Number 10 the rehabilitation of log decks, loading areas, etc.

GUIDANCE:

See Number 10.

12. Excessive Soil/Debris on Public Roads. Evaluate whether excessive soil and/or debris is being deposited on public roads where the Forest Service or other project roads enter these public roads to an extent and manner that sedimentation on stream channels will occur.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0206 states: “Access road entrances intersecting public highways shall be constructed and maintained with measures, devices or techniques effective to prevent excessive soil and other debris from being carried to and deposited on the highway to the extent that sedimentation problems will result.”

13. Pesticides Applied Properly. Evaluate the application of any pesticides for compliance with standards and guidelines.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0206 states: “Application of pesticides shall be limited to those labeled for that intended use, shall be used in accordance with labeling and rules adopted by the N.C. Pesticide Board as set forth in 2 NCAC 9L .0005, Restricted areas, and applied in a manner to prevent adverse impacts on water quality.”

14. Fertilizers Applied Properly. Evaluate the application of any fertilizers for compliance with standards and guidelines.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0207 states: “When used, fertilizers shall be applied in a manner to prevent adverse impacts on water quality.”

(I a) STREAM CROSSINGS. Includes Lines 15-25. Stream channel crossings by skid trails are evaluated for compliance with type of structure and their effectiveness at protecting the stream habitat and water quality.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP for MA-18 states: “Emphasize stream crossing structures that protect the stream bank and disrupt the stream channel only one time. Use either bridges, fords, or permanent culverts for all road, trail and four-wheel-drive way crossings. Do not use brush, log, or dirt filled crossings. Use fords only when physical conditions or approaches and streambed allow fords to be designed and maintained to prevent visible siltation. Cross channels at right angles where possible.”

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP Forestwide Direction states: “Minimize erosion of intermittent and ephemeral channels from management activities. Use standard crossings described in Management Area 18 to skid across intermittent streams.

15. Perennial Crossings Acceptable. Is the crossing of an acceptable type for perennial streams? See GUIDANCE in Stream Crossings (Ia) above.

16. Total # Observed___ # Acceptable___. Record the total number of perennial crossings observed and the total number of those crossing that were acceptable.

17. Intermittent Crossings Acceptable. Is the crossing of an acceptable type for intermittent streams? See GUIDANCE in Stream Crossings (Ia) above.

18. Total # Observed___ # Acceptable___. Record the total number of intermittent crossings observed and the total number of those crossing that were acceptable.

19. Grade Carried Across Crossing. Evaluate if the road/trail grade was continued across the crossing or if it was allowed to dip or decline into the crossing and then rise again, creating a low point over the stream.

20. Channel Disturbed Once/Least Possible. Evaluate if the stream channel banks were disturbed only once or the least number of times possible. Use of temporary culverts, ones installed and then removed after the project, should be discouraged as this creates bare soils twice immediately adjacent to the channel. Temporary bridges of which only the decking and not the mud sill is removed or permanent culverts should be used if possible.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Emphasize stream crossing structures that protect the stream bank and disrupt the stream channel only one time.” Also, “For temporary stream crossings, minimize soil movement through the use of temporary bridges or fords.”

21. Stable Banks/Protected From Accelerated Erosion. Evaluate whether the crossings are stable and not experiencing accelerated erosion. This includes both the stream channel banks and the slopes to the channel.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203 states: “Stream crossings shall be… constructed so as to minimize the amount of sediment that enters the stream because of construction. These crossings shall be installed… with effective structures or ground cover to protect the banks and channel from accelerated erosion.”

22. Minimum Runoff Into Channel. Evaluate whether the amount of surface runoff from the road (etc.) that flows into the channel at the crossing has been minimized. This is done be providing broad-based dips and ditch outlets as close to the crossing as possible but still having a “filter” area to trap the sediment.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203 states: “Stream… crossing shall be installed so that… they shall have sufficient water control devices to collect and divert surface flow from the access road or skid trail into undisturbed areas or other control structures to restrain accelerated erosion and prevent visible sediment from entering intermittent or perennial streams.”

23. Ground Cover Within 10 Days.

Evaluate if adequate ground cover or other practices have been installed within 10 working days that will keep visible sediment from entering the channel.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203 states: “Stream… crossings shall be installed so that… ground cover or other means, sufficient to prevent visible sediment from entering intermittent and perennial streams and perennial waterbodies shall be provided within 10 working days of initial disturbance and will be maintained until the site is permanently stabilized.”

24. Seeding Areas Over 25 Feet From Channel Within 15 Days. Evaluate if seeding has been accomplished within 15 days of final earth disturbance for those areas beyond 25 feet from stream crossings.

25. Flow Not Obstructed; Fish Can Pass. Evaluate whether or not the crossing provides for free flow of the stream and fish passage through the structure. Also consider if the capacity is adequate.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Provide for fish passage in all stream crossings.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203 states: “Stream… crossings shall be installed so that… stream flow will not be obstructed or impeded.”

(I I) ROADS ONLY, SYSTEM AND TEMPORARY. Evaluate either a system or temporary road in this section. Mark which one is evaluated. This section includes lines 26-44. Designate the length and section of the road evaluated on an accompanying work map. Rate that section of road overall in lines 26-32. DO NOT evaluate stream crossings in these lines. They are evaluated in lines 33-44.

26. Best Located to Protect Site. Evaluate if the temporary or system road constructed for the project serves the site in the most efficient and environmentally protecting way.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: The project’s access system should be located in a manner that best ‘fits’ the site. “During the transportation planning and road location, … (was) historic, geologic physiographic, and soils information (used) to locate potential problem areas and to select the best road locations that were least degrading to the natural resources?”

27. Breaks in Grade Used. Evaluate if breaks in road or trail grade were used effectively rather than relying on “cut in” dips.

GUIDANCE:

7730 Letter (I-3) states: Break-in-grade dips are the preferred alternative design and should be used (whenever possible) in lieu of “cut in” dips.

28. Located Within MA-18 (SMZ). Evaluate if the system or temporary roads are located within MA-18, Riparian Management Area and if so do they meet the Plan direction. Do not leave this field blank.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states that the following activities are prohibited in riparian areas (MA-18): “Developed roads and trails except to cross area; Log landing and loading areas; Mechanical site preparation and mechanical timber stand improvements; and Depositing of waste materials.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0201(c) states that “Access roads and skid trails… logging decks, and mill sites should be placed outside the SMZs. When barriers such as property lines or limiting land features prohibit the location of any of these outside the SMZs, they can be located within the SMZs. When located within SMZs they shall have effective erosion control and sediment control structures installed to restrain accelerated erosion and prevent visible sediment from entering intermittent or perennial streams or perennial waterbodies.”

29. Drainage not to Stream Channel. Evaluate whether or not the drainage features or structures in the road system outlet surface runoff into any type of stream channel and whether the location is effective at preventing surface runoff from entering the stream system.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Design broad-based dips and ditch outlets so that runoff water will infiltrate soils and erosion will be deposited before reaching stream channels.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0201 and .0203(4) imply that the access system drainage should be outletted in a manner that visible sediments do not enter perennial or intermittent stream channels.

30. Barriers Used if Within 300 Feet of Perennial/Intermittent Channel. Evaluate whether or not a brush barrier or other means (such as silt fences) of stopping accelerated erosion have been constructed and installed whenever there is a large area of bare soil created by the project. Evaluate the effectiveness of this feature or structure in trapping the eroded soil that is leaving the bare soil. Evaluate whether or not visible sediment is reaching a stream channel.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Protect water quality by applying appropriate mitigation wherever there is any construction requiring earth movement within 300 feet of perennial or intermittent streams or lakes. Use brush barriers and adequate cover of disturbed soils at the construction site.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0201 (a) and (b) states: “(a) A stream management zone (SMZ) shall be established and maintained along the margins of intermittent and perennial streams and perennial waterbodies. The SMZ shall be of sufficient width to confine within the SMZ visible sediment resulting from accelerated erosion. (b) Ground cover, or other means, within the SMZ shall be sufficient to restrain accelerated erosion.”

GUIDANCE:

7730 Letter (III-2) states: “… place hay bales where necessary in front of brush barriers to ensure good ground contact and provide effective sediment control.”

31. No Vertical Cuts Within 300 Feet of Perennial/Intermittent Channel. Evaluate if vertical cut banks along the constructed access system occur within 300 feet of perennial or intermittent stream channels.

GUIDANCE:

7730 Letter (III-15) states: “… will not allow vertical cuts within 300 feet of these (stream course) areas.”

32. TEMPORARY ROADS ONLY – Rehab Within 30 Days. Evaluate if the temporary roads have been rehabilitated in an adequate and timely manner.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Accomplish revegetation practices or other erosion protection for exposed cut and fill slopes within 30 days of initial soil disturbance. Establish a ground cover of permanent vegetation that effectively eliminates the movement of soil from the site by the end of the first growing season following completion of the activity. Correct any deficiencies within 5 months except in highly sensitive areas where corrective action will be taken immediately.” Also, “(temporary roads) Revegetation of roadbed: Establish vegetative cover in the first seeding season after road closure.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0209 states: “Areas on the project site that have the potential for accelerated erosion, resulting in concentrate flow directly entering an intermittent or perennial stream or perennial waterbody, shall be provided with ground cover or other means of adequate sedimentation control within 30 working days after ceasing any phase of an operation or beginning a period of inactivity. Treatment and maintenance of these areas shall be sufficient to restrain accelerated erosion and prevent visible sediment from entering intermittent and perennial streams and perennial waterbodies until the site is permanently stabilized.”

(I I a) STREAM CROSSINGS (Lines 33-44). Stream crossings by system or temporary roads are evaluated for compliance with type of structure and their effectiveness at protecting the stream habitat and water quality.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP for MA-18 states: “Emphasize stream crossing structures that protect the stream bank and disrupt the stream channel only one time. Use either bridges, fords, or permanent culverts for all road, trail and four-wheel-drive way crossings. Do not use brush, log, or dirt filled crossings. Use fords only when physical conditions or approaches and streambed allow fords to be designed and maintained to prevent visible siltation. Cross channels at right angles where possible.”

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP Forestwide Direction states: “Minimize erosion of intermittent and ephemeral channels from management activities. Use standard crossings described in Management Area 18 to skid across intermittent streams.

33. Perennial Crossings Acceptable. Is the crossing of an acceptable type for perennial streams? See GUIDANCE in Stream Crossings (IIa) above.

34. Total # Observed___ # Acceptable___. Record the total number of perennial crossings observed and the total number of those crossing that were acceptable.

35. Intermittent Crossings Acceptable. Is the crossing of an acceptable type for intermittent streams? See GUIDANCE in Stream Crossings (IIa) above.

36. Total # Observed___ # Acceptable___. Record the total number of intermittent crossings observed and the total number of those crossing that were acceptable.

37. Grade Carried Across Crossing. Evaluate if the road/trail grade was continued across the crossing or if it was allowed to dip or decline into the crossing and then rise again, creating a low point over the stream.

GUIDANCE:

7730 Letter (I-2) states: “Our first alternative must be to divert surface drainage from the road prior to getting to any fill. In addition, there will be cases where grade can or must be carried across the fill. In order to insure that the intended design is actually constructed (correct drainage template), there will be many cases where a higher order of location, survey, design and slope staking may be necessary.”

38. Channel Disturbed Once/Least Possible. Evaluate if the stream channel banks were disturbed only once or the least number of times possible. Use of temporary culverts, ones installed and then removed after the project, should be discouraged as this creates bare soils twice immediately adjacent to the channel. Temporary bridges of which only the decking and not the mud sill is removed or permanent culverts should be used if possible.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Emphasize stream crossing structures that protect the stream bank and disrupt the stream channel only one time.” Also, “For temporary stream crossings, minimize soil movement through the use of temporary bridges or fords.”

39. Stable Banks/Protected From Accelerated Erosion. Evaluate whether the crossings are stable and not experiencing accelerated erosion. This includes both the stream channel banks and the slopes to the channel.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203 states: “Stream crossings shall be… constructed so as to minimize the amount of sediment that enters the stream because of construction. These crossings shall be installed… with effective structures or ground cover to protect the banks and channel from accelerated erosion.”

40. Minimum Runoff Into Channel. Evaluate whether the amount of surface runoff from the road (etc.) that flows into the channel at the crossing has been minimized. This is done be providing broad-based dips and ditch outlets as close to the crossing as possible but still having a “filter” area to trap the sediment.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203 states: “Stream… crossing shall be installed so that… they shall have sufficient water control devices to collect and divert surface flow from the access road or skid trail into undisturbed areas or other control structures to restrain accelerated erosion and prevent visible sediment from entering intermittent or perennial streams.”

GUIDANCE:

7730 Letter (I-2) states: “… Our first alternative must be to divert surface drainage from the road prior to getting to the fill…”

41. Ground Cover Within 10 Days.

Evaluate if adequate ground cover or other practices have been installed within 10 working days that will keep visible sediment from entering the channel.

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203 states: “Stream… crossings shall be installed so that… ground cover or other means, sufficient to prevent visible sediment from entering intermittent and perennial streams and perennial waterbodies shall be provided within 10 working days of initial disturbance and will be maintained until the site is permanently stabilized.”

42. Ground Cover Same Day (Areas Within 25 Feet of Crossing). Evaluate if ground cover was applied to all areas within 25 feet of newly installed perennial and intermittent stream crossings. NOTE: Item 41 lists 10 days, which is the NC FPGRWQ regulation.

GUIDANCE:

7730 Letter (III-7) states: “… seeding and mulching within 25 feet of stream courses is required the same day the disturbance takes place… Mulching will be done on a daily basis with seed application taking place on the final day of earth disturbance.”

43. Seeding Areas Over 25 Feet From Channel Within 15 Days. Evaluate if seeding has been accomplished within 15 days of final earth disturbance for those areas beyond 25 feet from stream crossings.

GUIDANCE: 7730 Letter (III-7) states: “In areas beyond 25 feet of stream courses,,, (seed0 at least every 15 days.”

44. Flow Not Obstructed; Fish Can Pass. Evaluate whether or not the crossing provides for free flow of the stream and fish passage through the structure. Also consider if the capacity is adequate.

GUIDANCE:

N/P LRMP states: “Provide for fish passage in all stream crossings.”

GUIDANCE:

NC FPGRWQ .0203 states: “Stream… crossings shall be installed so that… stream flow will not be obstructed or impeded.”

USDA Forest Service

Instructions for Completing the S&G Implementation and Effectiveness Field Form

NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL FORESTS