Attachment 3 - Bronzeback Specifications.pdf

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION /SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK Bronzeback Marking Contract

C.1 SCOPE

The Bronzeback Timber Sale Marking Contract is located on the Watersmeet/Iron River Ranger District. The project area is 124 acres and was determined through GPS calculations. The marking project involves 59 acres of aspen clearcuts with hardwood inclusions that will be marked prior to plot cruising, 53 acres of aspen clearcuts that will be plot cruised and 12 acres of spruce thinning. Volume estimation is required on all units and involves both sample tree and plot cruising methods. Sample tree cruising (STR) will be performed utilizing cut tree marking methods within Payment Unit 07. Hardwood thinning with Plot cruising methods (PCME) will be utilized within Payment

Units 01, 02, & 06, 08. Plot cruising methods (PCME) will be utilized within Payment Units 03, 08, & 09.

(1) Hardwood SELECTION with aspen inclusions (Marking & PCME cruising)

Payment Unit(s): 01, 02, 06: 59 acres (30 plots)

These stands are a mix of over mature aspen, spruce, birch, hardwood and a few mature white pines. The white pine is probably poor quality, these should be left as seed source. Most of the paper birch, spruce and balsam is dead or dying. The marking objectives are to remove all aspen by enlarging aspen inclusions to facilitate good aspen regeneration. This generally means enlarging the inclusion by 1 tree length (75’). Within hardwood patches improve the overall stand health and reduce residual BA to 80 FT2/Ac.

Refer to the Cruise Plan and Marking Guides for more detailed information and specifications.

(2) Spruce THINNING (Marking & STR Cruising)

Payment Unit: 07: 12 acres

These stands are planted spruce with some natural balsam fir starting to creep in. These stands are 35 - 40 years of age. This is the first thinning of these stands the main emphasis will be on establishing skid trails and to improve stand vigor. Average DBH between 8 – 10 inches. Marking objectives are to establish skidding/forwarding trails which will typically need to be established every 40 feet (work with COR when establishing these trails). Mark 90- 100 FT2/Ac. making sure not to mark more than 40% of the initial basal area. Remove all merchantable aspen and balsam fir. The main objective will be to favor the best white spruce crop trees, but also improving the growing space by reducing stand density.

Refer to the Cruise Plan and Marking Guides for more detailed information and specifications.

(3) Aspen CLEARCUT (Plots, PCME Cruising)

Payment Unit(s): 03, 08, 09: 53 acres (27 plots)

These stands are a mix of over mature aspen, spruce, hardwood and a few mature white pines. The white pine is probably poor quality, these should be left as seed source. Most of the spruce and balsam is dead or dying.

Retain all hemlock, white pine, red pine, white cedar, oak, and elm. Leave tree marking (LTM) is not required to be performed by the contractor for these units and will be performed by USFS personnel where applicable.

Refer to the Cruise Plan and Marking Guides for more detailed information and specifications.

(4) SAMPLE TREE CRUISING METHOD (STR)

The Sample Tree cruising method (STR) involves measuring a specified proportion (Sample Interval) of trees in the defined sub-population. With this cruising method, every tree included for removal must be visited and marked.

Spruce Thinning Payment Unit(s): 07

In the Spruce Selection units the cut tree marking (CTM) method is required. This method requires two-sided (opposite) marking at breast height with stump marks (18-24” tails). This marking method typically relies working through an order of removal with specific criteria guiding what portion of merchantable-sized trees should be marked for removal. Refer to Marking and Cruise Design for trees to be marked with this marking method.

(5) Point Count Measure Tree (PCME, Plot Cruising)

Aspen Clearcut Payment Unit(s): 03, 08, 09

Plots are to be systematically distributed at the rate to be determined at pre-work. Refer to the Cruise Plan for the number of plots for each unit, and the planned spacing of plots.

Plot center will be staked and identified with flagging with plot ID# and cruiser initials, tie another 18 to 24 inch length of flagging to a tree or branch at eye level near plot center.

In addition the first sample tree in each sample group will be required to have flagging around it. The

Contractor shall provide colored flagging that is acceptable to the Government. The color will be determined at the pre-work meeting.

Thorough direction on procedures will be given at the pre-work meeting.

A global positioning unit (GPS) will need to be utilized for accurate identification of plot locations and a map provided showing plot locations with direction of travel to each plot.

Refer to Cruise Design for more information on cruising standards within these units.

Hardwood Thinning with aspen inclusions, Payment Unit(s): 01, 02, 06

Within these payment units, a combination of CTM and plot cruising will be employed.

ALL Aspen, Balsam Fir, White Spruce, Black Spruce, Tamarack, Jack Pine & paper birch are designated for removal.

The removal of ANY other species in these units will require CTM marking. This method requires two-sided

(opposite) marking at breast height with stump marks (18-24” tails). This marking method typically relies working through an order of removal with specific criteria guiding what portion of merchantable-sized trees should be marked for removal. Refer to Marking and Cruise Design for trees to be marked with this marking method. ALL

Hemlock, white pine, red pine, elm, cedar and oak are to be reserved in these Payment Unites

Once the CTM has been completed the Payment Units will then be plot cruised appropriately.

Payment Units that are planned for PCME Cruising, the cruise method will be accomplished through the establishment of variable radius plots with a 10 Basal Area Factor (BAF) prism.

Plots are to be systematically distributed at the rate to be determined at pre-work. Refer to the Cruise Plan for the number of plots for each unit, and the planned spacing of plots.

Plot center will be staked and identified with flagging with plot ID# and cruiser initials, tie another 18 to 24 inch length of flagging to a tree or branch at eye level near plot center.

In addition the first sample tree in each sample group will be required to have flagging around it. The

Contractor shall provide colored flagging that is acceptable to the Government. The color will be determined at the pre-work meeting.

Thorough direction on procedures will be given at the pre-work meeting.

A global positioning unit (GPS) will need to be utilized for accurate identification of plot locations and a map provided showing plot locations with direction of travel to each plot.

Note: USFS timber sale preparation personnel will mark a road right-of-way clearing unit (PU 10) and Payment

Units 04, 05 that are within the sale area.

C.2 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION:

The Bronzeback Timber Marking Contract is located on the Watersmeet/Iron River Ranger District. The sale area is approximately 11.5 miles NW of Iron River, MI. From Iron River, the sale area is accessed by driving 7.3 miles west to

Amvets HWY, head north on Amvets HWY for 0.5 miles to Basswood Rd. Head northwest on Basswood Rd. for approximately 2.5 miles to Gold Mine Rd. Going North on Gold Mine Rd. for 1.7 miles to FR-3475. Head west on FR-

3475 for approximately 2 miles and Payment Units 07, 08 and 09 will be on the South side of the road. Continue on FR-

3475 another 0.8 miles to FR-3475-J. The remainder of the Payment Units can be accessed off of FR-3475-J between mile markers 0.5 and 2.20.

3475-J

3475-J1

3475-G

5-J

-J8

¬«01

¬«03

¬«02

¬«06

¬«04 ¬«05

¬«07

¬«09 ¬«09 ¬«08

USDA - APFO; USDA - USFS – GTAC

Sale Area Map Bro n zeback Timber Sale Bessemer-Iro n River-W atersmeet Ran ger District Ottawa Natio n al Forest T44N R36W Sec. 15-17 & 20-22 Iro n Co. Michigan Net Acres: 136 acres Gro ss Acres: 919 acres Scale: 1:15,000

Ë 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 10.125 Miles

PU Acres 01 24 02 4 03 17 04 7 05 4 06 31 07 12 08 20 09 16

10 (ROW) 1

Total 136

South Branch Paint River

Legend Bro n zeback_Fin al_PUs Bro n zeback_Tran sp o rtatio n

OWNERCLASSIFICATION

NON-FS

X R9 OTT Corn ers

BRONZEBACK TIMBER SALE CRUISE DESIGN

Sale Number: 30454 Estimated Sale Value: $75,000 Estimated CV Ranges: 17-50% Maximum Sampling Error: 10% Cruise Methods: Sample Tree (STR): Mitigwaki Creek & Cooked Trout Timber Sale Comparison Cruise [Reference attached Minimum Tree and Piece Utilization Standards, dated 11/02/2015]

STRATA 1 (CTM) [Commercial Thinning (Red Pine Thinning). Payment Units: 04 & 05 will be marked by USFS (11 acres).] [Payment Unit 10 (R.O.W.) will be marked and cruised by USFS.] (Total Sale Acres - 136 Including R.O.W.)

Sample Group

Species/Product (Unit) DBH Range Sample Interval

HS Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0”-10.99” 1:50 HL Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) Large 11.0”+ 1:10 HW Hardwood/Sawtimber (01)* 11.0”+ 1:1 AS Aspen Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0”-11.99” 1:50 AL Aspen Pulpwood (02) Large 12.0”+ 1:25 CW Spruce Sawtimber (01) 9.0”+ 1:10 CP Mixed Conifer Pulpwood (02)** 5.0”+ 1:50 PP Red Pine Pulpwood (02) 5.0”+ 1:150 RS Red Pine Sawtimber (01) Small 9.0”-11.99” 1:75 RL Red Pine Sawtimber (01) Large 12.0”+ 1:50

WW White Pine Sawtimber (01) 9.0”+ 1:5

Note: Cruise all Aspen and Balsam Fir as pulpwood.

*Hardwood Sawtimber includes: all Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Basswood, Black Cherry, Black Ash, White Ash, Yellow Birch, & White Birch.

**Mixed Conifer pulpwood includes Balsam Fir, Spruce, Tamarack, Cedar, White Pine, Jack Pine and Hemlock.

A random start should be used for each sample group at the start of marking in each payment unit. Select a random interval that is less than the required sample interval for the first tally in each sample group, thereafter, sample at the specified sample interval.

Maintain an accurate tree count by payment unit for each sample group. Original field records used for tracking tree counts must be with the tally cards or data recorder sheets when each unit is completed. Do not recopy field notes of tree counts or tally cards.

STRATA 2: (CTM/DxSPP, Plot Cruise) [Modified Clear Cut with retained trees, Payment Units: 03, 08, 09 (53 Acres).] [Aspen Clearcut with Hardwood Thinning, Payment Units: 01, 02, 06 (59 acres).] Point Count/Measure Tree; Basal Area Factor: 10; Establish 1 plot per 2 acres based on 4 chain X 5 chain grid.

Species/Product (Unit) DBH Range

Sample Interval

HS Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0” - 10.99” 1st tree, then 1:3****

HL Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) Large 11.0”+ 1st tree, then 1:2*****

HW Hardwood/Sawtimber (01)** 11.0”+ 1:1 AS Aspen Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0” - 11.99” 1st tree, then

1:3***** AL Aspen Pulpwood (02) Large 12.0”+ 1st tree, then

1:2***** CP Mixed Conifer/Pulpwood (02)*** 5.0”+ 1st tree, then

1:2***** CW Spruce/Sawtimber (01)**** 9.0”+ 1:1

Note: Cruise all Aspen and Balsam Fir as pulpwood. All Red Oak, Elm, White Cedar, Hemlock, Red Pine, White Pine, and ANY orange banded trees will be retained within all plot cruised units.

**Hardwood Sawtimber includes: all Red Maple, Sugar Maple, Basswood, Black Cherry, Black Ash, White Ash, Yellow Birch, & White Birch.

***Mixed Conifer pulpwood includes: all Balsam Fir, Tamarack, Jack Pine, White Spruce, & Black Spruce.

****Spruce Sawtimber includes: all Black Spruce and White Spruce.

*****For area estimate cruises having a tally interval, implement as follows: Tally the first tree of each sample group proceeding clockwise from the cardinal direction of travel to the plot. Dot tally trees 2 and 3 for a 1:3 sample interval and assign to this first tally. Measure tree number 4 and dot tally trees 5 and 6 and assign to this second tally.

Proceed with this procedure until all trees in each sample group have been accounted for on the plot.

Plot center will be staked and identified with flagging which contains plot ID# and cruiser initials. All sample trees in each sample group will be required to have its representative tally tree number and the letter “S”(to signify that this is a tally tree) painted on the tree with FS tracer paint.

STRATA 3: Commercial Thinning and Salvage (Spruce Thinning). Payment Unit:

07 (12 acres)

Species/Product (Unit) DBH Range Sample Interval

HP Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) 5.0”+ 1:5 HW Hardwood/Sawtimber (01)* 11.0”+ 1:1 A Aspen Pulpwood (02) 5.0” + 1:5

CW Spruce Sawtimber (01) 9.0” + 1:30 CP Mixed Conifer Pulpwood (02) ** 5.0” + 1:100 PP Red Pine Pulpwood (02) 5.0”+ 1:1 RW Red Pine Sawtimber (01) 9.0”+ 1:1 WW White Pine Sawtimber (01) 9.0”+ 1:1

Note: Cruise all Aspen and Balsam Fir as pulpwood.

*Hardwood Sawtimber includes all Sugar Maple, Red Maple, Basswood, Black Cherry, Black & White Ash and Yellow & White Birch.

**Mixed Conifer pulpwood includes Balsam Fir, Spruce, Tamarack, Cedar, White Pine, Jack Pine and Hemlock.

A random start should be used for each sample group at the start of marking in each payment unit. Select a random interval that is less than the required sample interval for the first tally in each sample group, thereafter, sample at the specified sample interval.

Maintain an accurate tree count by payment unit for each sample group. Original field records used for tracking tree counts must be with the tally cards or data recorder sheets when each unit is completed. Do not recopy field notes of tree counts or tally cards.

P.U.

Acres Forest Type

Strata Marking Method Species

01 24 899/118/115 2 CTM/DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* 02 4 118 2 CTM/DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* 03 17 959 2 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except** 04 7 23 1 CTM All Species 05 4 23 1 CTM All Species 06 31 163 2 CTM/DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* 07 12 163 3 CTM All Species 08 20 959 2 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except** 09 16 959 2 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except** 10 1 R.O.W 1 CTM All Species

*Payment Units 01, 02, 06 (CTM/DxSPP) ALL Aspen, Balsam Fir, paper birch and spruce will be designated for removal and WILL NOT need to be marked. The removal of ANY other species will require a breast mark on opposite sides of the tree with corresponding product stump marks, ie: one stump mark for pulpwood and two stump marks for sawtimber.

** All Red Oak, Elm, White Cedar, Hemlock, Red Pine, White Pine, and Any orange banded trees will be retained within payment units 03, 08, & 09.

Cruise Design Prepared by: Kurt Lehmann, Forester Date: 05/12/2020

Cruise Design Reviewed by: Date:

Cruise Design Approved by: Date:

MINIMUM TREE AND PIECE UTILIZATION STANDARDS (11/02/2015

revision)

Minimum Tree

Specifications

Minimum Piece Specifications

SPECIES PRODUCT DBH (inches) Length

(feet)

DIB

(inches)

Minimum

Net Scale in

% of Gross

Hardwoods

(except aspen)

Sawlogs 11.0 8 9.6-11.5 95% 1/

Hardwoods Sawlogs 11.0 8 11.6+ 50% 1/

Softwood Sawlogs 9.0 8 7.6 40

All Species Pulpwood 5.0 8 4.0 70 and reasonably straight 2/

1/ In Timber Sale Contracts, all hardwood sawlogs will use 50% minimum net scale in gross %, due to limitations in TIM. Cruising will use 95% minimum net scale for small diameter logs (9.6 –

11.5 DIB).

2/ Seventy percent applies to rot, voids, and char. Mechanical type defects such as sweep, crook, spider heart, and ring shake will not be considered.

Reasonably straight - When the true line of a minimum length piece does not deviate more than

½ the inside diameter of the small and plus two inches from a straight line drawn between the centers of the ends of a piece.

The maximum deflection allowed is what will fit in a 20-inch cylinder.

A minimum tree must include at least one piece that meets minimum specifications.

** Product heights are now measured to the nearest foot. All heights are measured in feet from the ground on the high side of the stump.

1. Conifers – measure total height (to the tip) in feet and the cruise program will calculate the 4” cut-off.

2. Hardwoods (includes Aspen) – measure the height in feet to the 4” top.

3. Sawtimber – cut-off point or “stoppers” will follow our regular practices.

Measure sawtimber height in feet. Secondary product height will be measured as described in item 1 or 2 depending on the species.

4. Default dib’s are already built into the equations;

pulpwood = 4.0” sawtimber = 9.6” (hardwood) = 7.6” (mixed conifers, pine)

5. On trees with a broken, dead, or deformed top, record the height to the point where the 4” top or the tip would have been if the tree were still growing normally, then record defect to account for the missing volume.

OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST

SILVICULTURAL PRESCRIPTION / MARKING GUIDES

STAND INFORMATION

PU-

Ranger District

Comp- Stand

Acres MA LTA ELTP

Habitat Type

Cover Type LSC

Year of Origin

Size Density SI BA

1-03 84-33 2.2 Xc01 23B ATD 89 500 9 65 70

84-42 33B TM 11 1935 8 55 60

84-57 11 1935 5 52 60

2-03 84-65 2.2 Xc01 17B TM 11 500 1946 8 55 60

6-03 84-22 2.2 Xc01 13B ATD 16 500 1978 3 55

STAND DESCRIPTION

These stands are a mix of over mature aspen, spruce, birch, hardwood and a few mature white pines.

The white pine is probably poor quality, these should be left as seed source. Most of the paper birch, spruce and balsam is dead or dying.

DESIRED CONDITION

An immature stand mixed with aspen and paper birch along with some mature white pine left in the overstory. Some of these stands will have residual pockets/large areas of hardwood.

SHORT AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

Short term objective is to remove the poor quality and high risk trees and regenerate aspen, paper birch, and white pine where possible. In areas of hardwood the short/long term objective would be to increase the health and quality of the residual stems by removing insect and disease damaged trees leaving a residual stand density around 70 – 80 Ft2/Ac.

REMARKS

Oak and elm should be retained as a group of trees to protect from dieback, lone red and white pine along with hemlock and cedar can be left as lone trees.

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Spruce-fir Decline Project TIMBER SALE: Bronzeback PU: 1, 2 & 6

MARKING GUIDE:

Name of Treatment - Salvage Residual BA/Ac: * See Below Acres - see table

Don’t cut: Hemlock, white pine, elm, cedar or oak.

• Remove all aspen by enlarging aspen inclusions to facilitate good aspen regeneration. This generally means enlarging the inclusion by 1 tree length (75’).

• Treat all white birch, spruce and balsam as high risk.

• Within hardwood patches improve overall stand health and reduce residual BA to 80 FT2/Ac. by using the following order of removal.

Order of Removal

1. Remove all aspen, spruce, balsam fir and white birch.

2. Risk: All merchantable trees exhibiting damage or irreversible decline due to insects and disease to recover value that would otherwise be lost.

3. Cull: Trees which are severely defective but still contain merchantable products.

4. Crop Trees: Release future crop trees on at least 3 sides by removing the closest competitors.

Additional Considerations

Retain trees containing stick nests and report them to the biologist for evaluation.

DESIGN CRITERIA AND MITIGATION MEASURES

• If RFSS or state listed plants are located during implementation the Forest Botanist needs to be contacted for recommended buffers.

• Unless they are a safety concern, operators should not straighten existing tree tip-ups.

• If TES species are located during implementation Wildlife Biologist needs to be contacted.

• If cultural resources are found during implementation the Forest Archaeologist needs to be notified.

POST HARVEST TREATMENTS

FACTS Code Name of Treatment Prescription

None

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year Facts Activity Code Description

2020 4231 Salvage

Prepared by: Michael B. Strieter

Reviewed by:

Reviewed by:

Approved by: Michael B. Strieter

Title: Forest Silviculturist

Title:

Title:

Title: Certified Silviculturist

Date: 5/5/2020

Date:

Date:

Date: 5/5/2020

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Spruce-fir Decline Project TIMBER SALE: Bronzeback PU: 1, 2 & 6

STAND INFORMATION

PU-

Type

Cover Type LSC

Year of Origin

Size Density SI BA

3-03 84-77 26B ATD 95 1935 9 60 102

9-03 85-2 33C TM 95 1935 9 63 150

8-03 86-48 33C TM 95 1935 9 68 115

STAND DESCRIPTION

These stands are a mix of over mature aspen, spruce, hardwood and a few mature white pines. The white pine is probably poor quality, these should be left as seed source. Most of the spruce and balsam is dead or dying.

DESIRED CONDITION

An immature stand of healthy vigorous growing aspen along with some mature white pine left in the overstory as a seed source.

SHORT AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

Short term objective is to remove the poor quality and high risk trees and regenerate aspen, paper birch, and white pine.

REMARKS

During marking if riparian areas that were missed during layout are found notify COR and buffer by a tree length. Leave all healthy oak and elm.

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Spruce-fir Decline Project TIMBER SALE: Bronzeback PU: 3, 9, 8

Name of Treatment - Clearcut Residual BA/Ac <10 Acres - See table

Don’t cut: Red and white pine, elm, oak, cedar or hemlock. If possible retain all wildlife trees unless they are needed for safe harvesting operations.

All merchantable trees should be removed, except for the above mentioned don’t remove species. If riparian areas are found during marking maintain a tree length buffer and notify COR. In areas with no aspen it would be acceptable to retain a few healthy white birch seed sources to allow for white birch regeneration. If possible protect small pockets of spruce and balsam regeneration.

DESIGN CRITERIA AND MITIGATION MEASURES

• If RFSS or state listed plants are located during implementation the Forest Botanist needs to be contacted for recommended buffers.

• Unless they are a safety concern, operators should not straighten existing tree tip-ups.

• If TES species are located during implementation Wildlife Biologist needs to be contacted.

• If cultural resources are found during implementation the Forest Archaeologist needs to be notified.

POST HARVEST TREATMENTS

FACTS Code Name of Treatment Prescription

4341 Stocking Survey 1St Year

4341 Stocking Survey 3rd Year

4381 Certification W/Site Prep Fully stocked stand with >3200 TPA of acceptable growing stock

4494 Site Preparation Aspen site prep cutting of sub-merchantable competing veg.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year Facts Activity Code Description

2021 4113 Clearcut

2022 4493 Aspen site prep cutting of competing vegetation

2023 4341 Stocking Survey

2026 4341 Stocking Survey

2026 4381 Certification of natural regeneration with site prep

Prepared by: Michael B. Strieter

Reviewed by:

Reviewed by:

Approved by: Michael B. Strieter

Title: Forest Silviculturist

Title:

Title:

Title: Certified Silviculturist

Date: 5/5/2020

Date:

Date:

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Spruce-fir Decline Project TIMBER SALE: Bronzeback PU: 3, 9, 8

STAND INFORMATION

PU-

Type

Cover Type LSC

Year of Origin

Size Density SI BA

4-03 85-8 2.2 26B ATD 2 1983 3 70 130

5-03 85-37 2.2 33C TM 2 1983 3 70 130

STAND DESCRIPTION

These stands are approximately 40 years of age. This is the first thinning of these stands the main emphasis will be on establishing skid trails. Average DBH between 10 – 12 inches.

DESIRED CONDITION

The desired future condition is to promote healthy, vigorous, and resilient red pine plantations that are fully utilizing the site and putting growth on the best quality stems, while supporting small inclusions of aspen.

SHORT AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

Short term objective is to increase the health and vigor of the stand by removing suppressed, poor quality and high risk trees. Long term is a healthy red pine stand with aspen inclusions increasing the stands structural and compositional complexity.

REMARKS

Skid trails were not evident during walk thru so skidding trails will need to be established. The amount of trees removed during this entry will be driven by the variability in the current stands density, tree size, species present and past treatment history.

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Spruce-fir Decline Project TIMBER SALE: Bronzeback PU: 4 & 5

Name of Treatment - Salvage/Thinning Residual BA/Ac: See Below Acres - See table

NOTE: These PU’s will require establishment of skidding/forwarding trails. Trails usually need to be established every 40 feet. Work with COR when establishing these trails.

• The main objective of this harvest is to establish skid trails for future harvests and reduce density between trails.

• Mark to 100 FT2/Ac, DON’T marking MORE than 40% of initial basal area. It is acceptable for the BA to drop below this if within and aspen pocket.

• In areas with aspen create gaps by increasing the diameter of the gap by a tree length (75’) to encourage aspen regeneration.

• The main objective will be to favor the best red pine crop trees, but also improving the growing space by reducing stand density. Crop trees should exhibit the following criteria:

o Live Crown Ratio >30%.

o Dominant or co-dominant trees w/ good crown vigor and stem quality o Low risk of mortality or failure [e.g. main stem breakage].

Marking Criteria:

1. Mark all merchantable aspen and balsam.

2. Mark all high risk trees and poor vigor; consider marking most red pine with crown decline as low vigor.

3. Thin from below; crop trees will typically be the most competitive stems and will be in the larger diameter classes, therefore most trees in the lower size classes should be marked in most cases.

4. If density still above desired then mark stems within the small and larger sawtimber category that exhibit sweep, crook and forks within the merchantable bole.

5. If density still above desired then mark trees to improve the relative spacing; provide about 12-14 foot spacing.

DESIGN CRITERIA AND MITIGATION MEASURES

• If RFSS or state listed plants are located during implementation the Forest Botanist needs to be contacted for recommended buffers.

• Unless they are a safety concern, operators should not straighten existing tree tip-ups.

• If TES species are located during implementation Wildlife Biologist needs to be contacted.

• If cultural resources are found during implementation the Forest Archaeologist needs to be notified.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year Facts Activity Code Description

2021 4220 Thinning

Prepared by: Michael B. Strieter

Reviewed by:

Reviewed by:

Approved by: Michael B. Strieter

Title: Forest Silviculturist

Title:

Title:

Title: Certified Silviculturist

Date: 5/5/2020

Date:

Date:

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Spruce-fir Decline Project TIMBER SALE: Bronzeback PU: 4 & 5

STAND INFORMATION

PU-

Type

Cover Type LSC

Year of Origin

Size Density SI BA

7-03 85-1 2.2 Xc01 26B ATD 16 500 1986 3 60

85-35 16 1986 3 60

STAND DESCRIPTION

These stands are planted spruce with some natural balsam fir starting to creep in. These stands are 35 - 40 years of age. This is the first thinning of these stands the main emphasis will be on establishing skid trails and to improve stand vigor. Average DBH between 8 – 10 inches.

DESIRED CONDITION

The desired future condition is to promote a healthy vigorous growing white spruce plantations that are fully utilizing the site and putting growth on the best quality stems, while supporting small inclusions of aspen.

SHORT AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

Short term objective is to increase the health and vigor of the stand by removing suppressed, poor quality and high risk trees. Long term is a healthy white spruce stand with aspen inclusions increasing the stands structural and compositional complexity.

REMARKS

Skid trails were not evident during walk thru so skidding trails will need to be established. The amount of trees removed during this entry will be driven by the variability in the current stands density, tree size, species present and past treatment history.

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Spruce-fir Decline Project TIMBER SALE: Bronzeback PU: 7

Name of Treatment - Salvage/Thinning Residual BA/Ac: See Below Acres - See table

NOTE: These PU’s will require establishment of skidding/forwarding trails. Trails usually need to be established every 40 feet. Work with COR when establishing these trails.

• Mark to 90 - 100 FT2/Ac, DON’T marking MORE than 40% of initial basal area. It is acceptable for the BA to drop below this if within and aspen pocket.

• Remove all merchantable aspen and balsam fir.

• In areas with aspen create gaps by increasing the diameter of the gap by a tree length (75’) to encourage aspen regeneration.

• The main objective will be to favor the best white spruce crop trees, but also improving the growing space by reducing stand density. Crop trees should exhibit the following criteria:

o Live Crown Ratio >40%.

o Dominant or co-dominant trees w/ good crown vigor and stem quality o Low risk of mortality or failure [e.g. main stem breakage].

Marking Criteria:

1. Mark all merchantable aspen and balsam.

2. Mark all high risk trees and poor vigor; consider marking most red pine with crown decline as low vigor.

3. Thin from below; crop trees will typically be the most competitive stems and will be in the larger diameter classes, therefore most trees in the lower size classes should be marked in most cases.

4. If density still above desired then mark stems within the small and larger sawtimber category that exhibit sweep, crook and forks within the merchantable bole.

DESIGN CRITERIA AND MITIGATION MEASURES

• If RFSS or state listed plants are located during implementation the Forest Botanist needs to be contacted for recommended buffers.

• Unless they are a safety concern, operators should not straighten existing tree tip-ups.

• If TES species are located during implementation Wildlife Biologist needs to be contacted.

• If cultural resources are found during implementation the Forest Archaeologist needs to be notified.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year Facts Activity Code Description

2021 4231/4220 Salvage/Thinning

Prepared by: Michael B. Strieter

Reviewed by:

Reviewed by:

Approved by: Michael B. Strieter

Title: Forest Silviculturist

Title:

Title:

Title: Certified Silviculturist

Date: 5/5/2020

Date:

Date:

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Spruce-fir Decline Project TIMBER SALE: Bronzeback PU: 7