Wet_Weather_Operations_ _Wet_Haul_Agreement.pdf

Appendix 2: Wet Weather Operations and Wet Haul Agreement Wet Weather Operations

The use of “Visual Indicators” were recommended by the Forest Soil Scientist to determine the extent and potential for soil compaction, puddling, and rutting on timber, fuels, and other projects using equipment or machinery. The contract requires the Purchaser not to operate equipment when ground conditions are such that excessive damage will result. Purchasers are encouraged to become familiar with these standards, and insist their field representatives are equally informed, as the Sale Administrator will be using them extensively to assess unacceptable soil compaction, particularly when operations are conducted outside of the Normal Operating Season. Whenever there is a high risk of compaction, as indicated by using the visual indicators in the chart or table below, operations shall be suspended until conditions improve. If there are any specific questions on interpreting the visual indicators, your Sale Administrator will meet with you on the ground and explain it thoroughly. Your cooperation is always appreciated; voluntarily suspending your operations when you observe wet conditions that indicate a high risk of compaction will help protect soil productivity for the future.

Major elements influencing soil compaction are number of trips, soil moisture content, and type of equipment being used. Moist soil (field capacity) considerably increases the rate and extent of compaction.

Field capacity is the upper limit of the moist state. When soil moisture exceeds field capacity, the soil becomes wet and tends toward saturation; surface puddling and rutting will occur and the soil will tend to flow. The following table is a visual method for assessing soil moisture in the field without using instruments. The underlined sections indicate where the highest risk of compaction or puddling exists.

Compaction is technically assessed at 6 to 10 inches depth. Soil puddling and rutting is observed on the surface. The bold underlined soil moisture/soil texture relationships indicate a high risk of compaction, puddling, or rutting.

Soil Water Content

Feel or Appearance of Soil

Loamy Sand

Sandy Loam

Loam & Silt Loam

Clay Loam or

Silty Clay Loam

Near 15 bars of tension, lower limit of moist state; Dry.

Dry, loose, single grained, flows through fingers.

Dry, loose, flows through fingers.

Powdery dry, sometimes slightly crusted but easily broken into powdery condition.

Hard, baked, cracked, sometimes has loose crumbs on surface.

Near mid-range of moisture state. Moist.

Appears to be dry, will not form a ball with pressure. *

Forms a ball with pressure.

Tends to ball under pressure but seldom holds together. *

Forms a ball with pressure.

Forms a ball, * somewhat plastic, will sometimes slick slightly with pressure.

Forms a ball, ribbons out between thumb and forefinger. *

At field capacity, upper limit of pre- Upon squeezing, no free water appears on soil but wet outline of ball is left on hand.

saturation moisture state. Moist or wet.

* A ball is formed by squeezing a handful of soil very firmly.

The following information on how to recognize soil compaction and puddling problems in the field was developed on the Tahoe National Forest. If any of these indicators are observed, there is a very high probability that thresholds for soil compaction and puddling have been exceeded. Soil pore space has been reduced by at least 10 percent and soil bulk density has been increased by at least 10 percent, and possibly much more if these indicators are present. The Forest Plan requires that soil porosity and soil bulk density be kept at 90 percent of natural conditions.

1) Surface Indicators:

a) Skid trails have lost all slash and litter.

b) There is visible evidence of puddling, such as ruts with berms of structureless soil.

c) When soil damage occurs on skid trails and cannot be repaired with normal soil erosion control measures.

d) Water has ponded in ruts or on skid trails, indicating reduced rates of infiltration.

e) Skid trails replace the natural drainage features and patterns of the area.

f) Rutting and ponding of water on main skid trails indicates that excessive soil moisture occurs on surrounding areas dedicated to growing vegetation.

g) Soil/water (mud slurry) is present and flows down skid trails.

2) Examination of Soil with Tile Spade:

a) Marked resistance to penetration with tile spade.

b) Difficulty in removing spade full of soil after spade is inserted.

c) Large volume of soil on spade (compaction increases soil strength causing the soil to resist fracturing).

3) Examination of Soil:

a) Obvious mixing of horizons or incorporation of fresh debris.

b) Most of soil volume is contained in clods rather than normal peds.

c) Soil structure is platy (natural structure is normally granular in the surface horizons and subangular blocky in the subsurface horizons). When the soil is moist, soil structure may appear to be massive rather than platy.

d) Clods have strength; can tolerate rough handling without breaking and resist efforts to break by hand when soil is dry.

e) Clods resist efforts at re-molding when soil is moist.

f) Clods are noticeably heavy (have “heft”) as compared to normal peds.

Appendix 3: Wet Weather Haul Agreement The following agreement is required for the use of roads during wet or snow periods usually occurring, but not limited to, operations outside the Normal Operating Period. The intent of this agreement is to restrict hauling during wet or snow periods to protect the road and adjacent resources before damage occurs.

Roads are a Forest improvement and are protected under C/CT6.223 – Protection of Improvements. If it is apparent that resource damage will occur, the purchaser must take immediate action to suspend hauling.

If a storm is predicted, action must be taken to insure proper road drainage. Proper and timely action may lead to extended use by reducing or eliminating damage to improvements.

The following steps are agreed to by the Purchaser and the Forest Service to protect the roads and the adjacent resources during the period of operations when ground conditions are wet from precipitation or snow:

Haul may be allowed if any of the following conditions apply:

1. The haul road from the unit to the paved road is stabilized with sufficient aggregate to support haul under suitable conditions.

2. Native surfaced roads are dry enough to be bladed and shaped to maintain proper drainage.

This may be necessary quite frequently, depending on road conditions and pending storms.

Native surfaced roads must be moist to be bladed and shaped to maintain proper drainage. When it is too wet to blade, it is too wet to haul.

3. The road is in a condition acceptable for drainage and it is frozen.

Haul will not be allowed when:

1. The subgrade on aggregate surfaced roads becomes saturated and the stability of the road prism cannot support trucks and other vehicles. When rutting occurs on surfaced roads, road use pushes the aggregate into the subgrade and cannot be retrieved during blading. When this occurs, purchaser will be responsible to replace the displaced aggregate to pre-haul condition. Anticipated problems associated with a road segment must be recognized in advance since pre-haul conditions must be determined.

Consult with road maintenance representatives to determine pre-haul conditions.

2. Native surfaced roads turn to mud and cannot immediately be shaped to drain. During winter operations this occurs when road surface thaws.

3. Water draining from the roadway causes sediment to enter a streamcourse.

Other conditions:

1. When rain is predicted, purchaser shall provide cross drainage to the native surface roads at the close of operations each day.

2. At the conclusion of hauling the purchaser will reshape dips and cross drains. The roads will be bladed and shaped with no ruts and sloped to drain.

3. Snow removal shall be done in accordance with applicable C provisions dealing with Snow

Removal. Purchaser shall notify Forest Service at least 24 hours in advance, Monday through Friday between 8am and 4pm, prior to snow removal. In addition, the following, if applicable, shall be required:

a. Removal of snow from entire roadbed width including turnouts.

b. Removal of snow slides, earth slides, fallen timber, and boulders that obstruct normal road surface width.

c. Removal of snow, ice, and debris from culverts so that the drainage system will function efficiently at all times.

d. All items of snow removal shall be done currently as necessary to insure safe, efficient transportation.

e. All debris, except snow and ice, that is removed from the road surface and ditches shall be deposited away from stream channels at agreed locations.

f. During snow removal operations, banks shall not be undercut nor shall gravel or other selected surfacing material be bladed off the roadway surface.

g. Ditches and culverts shall be kept functional during and following roadway use.

h. Snow berms shall not be left on the road surface. Berms left on the shoulder of road shall be removed and/or drainage holes shall be opened and maintained. Drainage holes shall be spaced as required (usually 100’ to 200’ intervals) to obtain satisfactory surface drainage without discharge on erodible fills.

i. Snow must not be removed to the road surface. A minimum two to four inch snow depth must be left to protect the roadway.

If in the judgment of the Forest Service, damage to the road may occur, hauling shall be suspended.

Consideration will be given to the long range weather forecast especially during anticipated weather or late winter/spring breakup.

Forest Service Representative Purchaser Representative

Date: __________________________________ Date: ___________________________