Attachment 4 - Pine Creek Specifications.pdf

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION /SPECIFICATIONS/STATEMENT OF WORK Pine Creek 1 Marking Contract

C.1 SCOPE

The Pine Creek 1 Marking Contract is located on the Watersmeet Ranger District. The project area is estimated at 188 acres of aspen clearcut units, and was determined through field reconnaissance and GIS calculations. Volume estimation is required on all units, requiring plot cruising methods.

(1) Aspen CLEARCUT (Plots, PCME Cruising)

Payment Unit(s): 01-08: 188 acres (72 plots)

These stands are primarily comprised of aspen with scattered mixed conifers and hardwoods. The desired future condition of these stands is to regenerate an even-aged aspen stand that is growing vigorously, free of suppression and differentiating mainly through competition. The regeneration of mixed hardwood and conifer species is also a desired stand trait that should be achieved following this clearcut harvest. Refer to the Marking Guide for these units for more information.

Reserve all hemlock, white pine, red pine, white cedar, oak, and elm. Cut tree marking (CTM) and leave tree marking (LTM) is not required to be performed by the contractor for these units. Refer to the Cruise Plan for guidance on plot cruising standards within these units.

(2) POINT COUNT MEASURE TREE METHOD (PCME, Plot Cruising)

Aspen Clearcut Payment Unit(s): 01-08

In Aspen Clearcut 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 that is within the sale area.

C.2 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION: The Pine Creek 1 Marking Contract is located on the Watersmeet Ranger District. The project area is estimated at 188 acres of aspen clearcut units, and was determined through field reconnaissance and GIS calculations. Volume estimation is required on all units, requiring plot cruising methods.

The sale area is approximately 6 miles southwest of Bruce Crossing, MI. From Bruce Crossing, the sale area is accessed by driving 4 miles south on US Highway 45, 2.5 miles west on Amber Lake Road, and approximately 1 mile south on

FR 5488.

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USDA - APFO; USDA - USFS – R SAC

PINE CREEK #61005

Estimated Acres - Payment Units

B.Pe rtile 4/7/2020

0 0.5 10.25 Mile s

Draft PU's

NON-FS

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NEEDED

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PU Acres 1 33 2 7 3 22 4 48 5 35 6 22 7 12 8 9

ESTIMATED ACRES

Payment units - 188 Acres

R.O.W. - 1 Acres

TOTAL ACRES = 189

PINE CREEK (1) CRUISE DESIGN

Sale Number: 61005 Estimated Sale Value: $105,000.00 Estimated CV Ranges: 18-42% Maximum Sampling Error: 12% Based on Comparison Cruise Data: Amber Lake T.S. and Pre-cruise Plot data.

Cruise Methods: Sample Tree (STR), Point Count Measure Tree (PCMTRE) Cruise Plots [Reference attached Minimum Tree and Piece Utilization Standards, dated 11/02/2015]

(Total Estimated Sale Acres = 188 Acres)

STRATA 1: (CTM) [Payment Unit 16 (R.O.W.) will be marked and cruised by USFS.]

Sample Group

Species/Product (Unit) DBH Range Sample Interval

HS Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0” - 10.99” 1:20 HL Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) Large 11.0”+ 1:5 SW Sugar Maple/Sawtimber (01) 11.0”+ 1:1 OW Other Hardwood/Sawtimber (01)** 11.0”+ 1:1 AS Aspen/Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0” - 10.99” 1:75 AL Aspen/Pulpwood (02) Large 11.0”+ 1:20 CW Spruce/Sawtimber (01)*** 9.0”+ 1:1 CP Mixed Conifer/Pulpwood (02)* 5.0”+ 1:25 PP Pine/Pulpwood (02)**** 5.0” - 8.99” 1:1 PW Red Pine & White Pine/Sawtimber (01)***** 9.0”+ 1:1

Note: Cruise all Aspen and Balsam Fir as pulpwood.

*Mixed Conifer/Pulpwood includes: Balsam Fir, Tamarack, Cedar, Hemlock, White Pine, White Spruce, & Black Spruce.

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

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

****Pine/Pulpwood includes: Red Pine & Jack Pine.

*****Red Pine & White Pine/Sawtimber includes: all Red Pine & White Pine.

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: DxSpp (Plot Cruise) [Modified Clear Cut with retained trees, Payment Units:

01, 02, & 07 (52 Acres).] Cruise Method: Point Count/Measure Tree; Basal Area Factor:

10; Establish 1 plot per 2 acres based on 4 chain X 5 chain grid.

Total plots for Strata 2 = 26 plots.

Species/Product (Unit) DBH Range

Sample Interval

HS Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0” - 10.99” 1st tree, then 1:2****

HL Hardwood/Pulpwood (02) Large 11.0”+ 1:1 OW Other Hardwood/Sawtimber (01)* 11.0”+ 1:1 SW Sugar Maple/Sawtimber (01) 11.0”+ 1:1 AS Aspen/Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0” - 10.99” 1st tree, then

1:4**** AL Aspen/Pulpwood (02) Large 11.0”+ 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, White Pine, Jack Pine, Red Pine, and ANY orange banded trees will be retained within all plot cruised units.

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

**Mixed Conifer/Pulpwood includes: all Balsam Fir, Tamarack, White Spruce, & Black 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: DxSpp (Plot Cruise) [Modified Clear Cut with retained trees, Payment Units:

03, 04, 05, 06, & 08 (136 Acres).] Cruise Method: Point Count/Measure Tree; Basal Area Factor: 10; Establish 1 plot per 3 acres based on 5 chain X 6 chain grid.

Total plots for Strata 3 = 46 plots.

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”+ 1:1 OW Other Hardwood/Sawtimber (01)* 11.0”+ 1:1 SW Sugar Maple/Sawtimber (01) 11.0”+ 1:1 AS Aspen/Pulpwood (02) Small 5.0” - 10.99” 1st tree, then

1:3**** AL Aspen/Pulpwood (02) Large 11.0”+ 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, White Pine, Jack Pine, Red Pine, and ANY orange banded trees will be retained within all plot cruised units.

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

**Mixed Conifer/Pulpwood includes: all Balsam Fir, Tamarack, White Spruce, & Black 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.

P.U. # Estimated Acres

Final Acres

Strata Forest Type Marking Method Species

P.U. 01 33 ** 2 913 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* P.U. 02 7 ** 2 913 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* P.U. 03 22 ** 3 916 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* P.U. 04 48 ** 3 916 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* P.U. 05 35 ** 3 926 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* P.U. 06 22 ** 3 926 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* P.U. 07 12 ** 2 913/916 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* P.U. 08 9 ** 3 916 DxSpp (Plot Cruise) All Species-Except* P.U. 16 (1) dummy 1 1 R.O.W. CTM All Species

*Red Oak, Elm, White Cedar, Hemlock, White Pine, Jack Pine, Red Pine, and ANY orange banded trees.

**Final Acres will be revised after layout is completed, and ROW clearing width (PU 16) is excluded for Plot Cruised units.

Cruise Design Prepared by: Brandon Pertile, Silviculture Technician Date: 04/7/2020

Cruise Design Reviewed by: Paul Dashner, Forest Check Cruiser Date: 04/7/2020

Cruise Design Approved by: Paul Tikusis, TMA Date: 04/7/2020

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.

ONF-2400-2

3/1/07 Version

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 1-06 6/04 35 1.1a 19i 238B ATD, TTP 91 600 1905 3 60

19m 277B

ATD-C, TMC-

Dry

6/05 19i 238B ATD, TTP 91 600 1905 3 60

19m 277B

6/07 19i 238B ATD, TTP 91 500 1905 3 60

19m 277B

2-06 5/05 10 1.1a 2 44D ATD 91 600 1905 3 60

19i 238B ATD, TTP

5/14 2 44D ATD 91 500 1905 3 60

3-06 6/03 25 1.1a 19i 238B ATD, TTP 91 500 1905 6 80 90 6/04 19i 238B ATD, TTP 91 600 1905 3 60

4-06 5/01 50 1.1a 19i 215B, 217A

TTP, TAM, FI 91 500 1905 3 60

5/06 19i 215B, 217A

TTP, TAM, FI 91 500 1905 6 50 90

2 44C ATD

5/11 19i 217A, 238B

TAM, ATD,

TTP, FI

91 500 1905 3 60

5-06 6/01 35 1.1a 19i 215B, 219B, 238B

TAM, TTP, ATD 92 600 1905 6 70 80

6-06 5/03 25 1.1a 19i 219B, 238B

TTP, ATD 92 600 1905 6 60 70

14b 212B ATD, FI

7-06 5/01 15 1.1a 19i 217A TTP, TAM, FI 91 500 1905 3 65 5/10 19i 217A TTP, TAM, FI 91 500 1905 6 60 90

8-06 5/10 10 1.1a 19i 238B, 215B

ATD, TTP, TAM 91 500 1905 6 60 90

STAND DESCRIPTION

These stands vary from 40-150 ft2/ac, and are a mix of pure aspen as well as mixed aspen with hardwood and softwood pulp with scattered white pine. The diameter distribution ranges from 6-18 inches with the majority of the aspen in the 8-12 inch class. The midstory and understory are comprised of predominately maple and balsam.

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Aspen EA TIMBER SALE: Pine Creek 1 PU: see table

DESIRED CONDITION

An even-aged aspen stand that is growing vigorously and free of competing vegetation. The canopy should be singular with some breaks due to small inclusions of failed aspen response and larger remnant trees (white pine, hemlock, cedar, oak and elm). Hardwood and softwood species are still present, but are subordinate to the dominant aspen overstory. Dense patches of sapling sized balsam fir, spruce, hemlock and other conifer species shall be maintained, however these areas should not exceed 20 percent of the unit acreage.

SHORT AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

Apply silvicultural treatments to regenerate and restore a healthy even-aged aspen stand.

Retain healthy white pine, red pine, hemlock, cedar, oak and elm.

Achieve a stocking level of 3,200 seedlings per acre of native species.

Maintain and protect ecological processes and functions in and around riparian areas where they occur within the sale area.

Promote and maintain aspen stands through timely rotations to maintain the health and vigor of the aspen clone.

REMARKS

There are scattered, small, poorly drained pockets, seeps, steep slopes, perched water tables, or shallow bedrock areas; do not designate any trees for removal in these areas.

MARKING GUIDE:

Name of Treatment - Stand Clearcut w/ Leave Trees

Residual BA/Ac – <5 Ft2/Ac of trees to be retained

Acres - See attached cover sheet

Clearcut the mature aspen clones and retain healthy white pine, red pine, hemlock, cedar, oak and elm as Leave Trees. The oak and elm need to have adjacent trees retained to maintain the micro site surrounding the targeted reserve tree, this may include high risk aspen. Trees to be retained are 5.0 inches or larger and on average have a residual basal area that does not exceed 5 ft2/ac. The objective for retaining these species is to add species and structural diversity to the stand while not limiting successful aspen regeneration and future productivity. Oak and elm should be retained as a group of trees to protect from dieback. Lone white pine, hemlock and cedar can be left as lone trees.

DESIGN CRITERIA AND MITIGATION MEASURES

Highlighted Design Criteria, see NEPA for all of the criteria

Cull trees should be left for wildlife, do not remove trees with little or no value unless they pose a safety hazard (A1). If cull trees need to be marked the silviculturist should be notified to look at the risk.

If any stick nests are found (A1) the wildlife biologist should be consulted.

If any archaeological sites are located during layout or implementation the Archaeologist should be consulted.

Maintain small, dense patches of sapling-sized balsam fir, spruce, hemlock or other conifer species when practicable. Patches can vary in size and shape, but should not exceed 20 percent of the unit acreage. (A1)

POST HARVEST TREATMENTS

FACTS Code Name of Treatment Prescription

4493 Site Preparation for Natural Remove all residual sub-merchantable material except some patches of low to the ground conifer. Leave all trees noted above.

4341 Stocking Survey Survey to ensure adequate regeneration of 3200 TPA on 40% 1/1000 th ac plots

4341 Stocking Survey Survey to ensure adequate regeneration of 3200 TPA on 40% 1/1000 th ac plots

4381 Certification for Naturals w/SP Enter certification once regeneration goal is met.

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year Facts Activity Code Description 2022 4117 Clearcut w/ Leave Trees 2023 4493 Site preparation for naturals 2023 4341 1st Year Stocking Survey 2025 4341 3rd Year Stocking Survey 2025 4381 Certification for Naturals w/SP

Prepared by: Christopher R. Boroski

Reviewed by:

Reviewed by:

Approved by: Dave Steffensen

Title: District Silviculturist

Title:

Title:

Title: Certified Silviculturist

Date: 04/13/2020

Date:

Date:

Date: 04/14/2020