ATTACHMENT_7_Final_5.29.20_FOREST_MANAGEMENT_PLAN.pdf

Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch Forest Management Plan May 2020

CROSS BAR AND AL BAR RANCH

FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

Prepared for:

Prepared by:

THE FORESTRY COMPANY

502 West Green Street

Perry, Florida 32347

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY …………………………………………………………………………………………….…………................…i

1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….....................….…1-1

1.1. Background ………………………………………………………………………………………………………….………......................…...1-2

1.2. Management Requirements…………………………………………………………………………………………....................…...1-3

1.3. Objectives, Goals and Strategies of the Forest Management Plan ………………………………………………..........................…1-4

2. Silviculture Best Management Practices…..........................................….................................2-1

2.1 Special Management Zones (SMZ)….....................................................................................2-1

2.1.1 Primary Zone….....................................................................................................................2-2

2.1.2 Secondary Zone….................................................................................................................2-3

2.1.3 Stringer….............................................................................................................................2-4

2.2 Application of SMZs…..........................................................................................................2-5

2.2.1 Perennial Streams….............................................................................................................2-5

2.2.2 Intermittent Streams….........................................................................................................2-6

2.2.3 Perennial Lakes and Sinkholes..............................................................................................2-6

2.2.4 Intermittent Lakes and Sinkholes..........................................................................................2-6

2.3 Other Best Management Practices….....................................................................................2-7

2.3.1 Application of BMPs on Public 2-7

2.3.2 Application of BMPs in Wetlands…...….................................................................................2-8

2.3.3 Application of BMPS for Canals…..........................................................................................2-9

2.3.4 Application of BMPS for Sinkholes........................................................................................2-10

2.3.5 Application of BMPS for Forest Roads...................................................................................2-10

2.3.6 Application of BMPS for Timber Harvesting...........................................................................2-12

2.3.7 Application of BMPS for Site Preparation and Planting.......................................................... 2-13

2.3.8 Application of BMPS for Firelines….......................................................................................2-14

2.3.9 Application of BMPS for Pesticide and Fertilizer Use..............................................................2-15

2.3.10 Application of BMPS for Waste Disposal….............................................................................2-16

2.3.11 Application of BMPS for Wet Weather Operations................................................................2-17

2.3.12 Application of BMPS During Emergencies…...........................................................................2-17

3. Wildlife Best Management Practices…..........................................…......................................3-1

3.1 Burrowing Animals…............................................................................................................3-3

3.1.1 Wildlife BMPS for Burrowing Animals….................................................................................3-3

3.2 Nesting Birds….....................................................................................................................3-5

3.2.1 Wildlife BMPS for Nesting Birds…......….................................................................................3-5

4. Control of Exotic Plant Species ………………………………………………………………………………………....................…..4-1

5. Fire Management…..............................................................................................................5-1

5.1 Lightning Caused Fire…........................................................................................................5-2

5.2 Equipment Fires…................................................................................................................5-3

5.3 Escaped Authorized Debris Burning…...................................................................................5-4

5.4 Railroad Fires…....................................................................................................................5-4

TABLE OF CONTENTS

6. Commercial Pine Plantation Forests ………………………………………………………………………………...................……6-1

6.1. Objective and Goal of Commercial Pine Plantation Management ……………………….......................……6-1

6.2. Maximizing Income from Commercial Pine Plantations ……………………………………………...........................6-2

6.3. Forest Soils and Species Selection for Commercial Pine Plantations ……………………….......................…..6-3

6.4. Schedule of Work for Managing Commercial Pine Plantations ………………………………..........................…6-5

6.5 Growth and Yield Modeling for Commercial Pine Plantations …………………………………............................6-6

6.5.1. SIMS Growth and Yield Model Results ……………………………………………………………...................................…6-7

6.6 Commercial Pine Plantation Harvest Schedule ……………………………………………………...........................…….6-8

6.7 Commercial Pine Plantation Site Preparation …………………………………………………….......................…..…..6-9

6.8 Seedling Purchase and Planting …………………………………………………………………………….............................……6-11

6.9 Stand Maintenance - Mowing…………………………………………………………………………………..............................…6-12

6.10 Fertilization at Age 4 …………………………………………………………………………………….........................................6-12

6.11 Pine Straw Preparation………………………………………………………………………………………....................................6-13

6.11.1 Shorter/Smaller Weeds & Woody Vegetation……………………………………………....................................…….6-14

6.12 Pine Straw Sales …………………………………………………………………………………………......................................……6-14

6.13 Fertilization at Age 12 ………………………………………………………………………………….......................................….6-14

6.14 Timber Sales …………………………………………………………………………………………………......................................…6-15

6.15 Forest Sustainability and Ecosystem Services………………………………………………….....................................6-16

7. Longleaf Pine Restoration Forest …………………………………………………………………………................…………….7-1

8. Forest Health and Seedling Survival …………………………………………………………………………................….……..8-1

8.1 Forest Health……………………………………………………………………………………………………..……...........................…..8-1

8.2 Seedling Survival Monitoring………………………………………………………………..……………………..........................8-1

9. Pine Plantations Managed for Wildlife Habitat Conservation…………………………………………….................9-1

10. Upland Natural Forests …………………………………………………………………………………………………...............……10-1

11. Wetland Forests …………………………………………………………………………………………………………....................………11-1

11.1 Treat Invasive/Exotic Plant Species With Herbicides…............................................................11-2

11.2 Utilize Fire To Improve The Edge Structure Of Wetlands…..................................................... 11-3

11.3 Reduce Firelines Adjacent To Wetlands Where Possible…..................................................... 11-3

11.4 Forest Stocking, Disease, Wildfire Or Other Natural Disaster Impacts To Forested Wetlands… 11-4

12. Works Cited ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………...................12-1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table 4-1 Exotic / Invasive Plant Species on Site ………..…………………………………………………..4-3 Table 6-1 Potential Productivity Information Based on Soil Characteristics …..……………..6-17 Table 6-2 Approximate Annual Schedule for Work in Commercial Pine Plantations 6-18 at Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch Table 6-3.1 2018 Stand Harvest Report – Clearcut at Age 20 …………………………………………. 6-19 Table 6-3.2 2018 Stand Harvest Report Continued– Clearcut at Age 20…………………………. 6-20 Table 6-4 2018 Stand Development Report…………………………… …………………………………….6-21 Table 6-5 2018 Stand Harvest Report – Optimal Harvest Age ……………………………………… 6-22 Table 6-6 Forest Fertilization, Herbicide and Pesticide Use Guidelines …………………..…... 6-24 Table 6-7 Rake and Pile Burning Schedule .…………………………………………………………………..6-25 Table 6-8 Herbicide Application Schedule ……………………….………………………………………….. 6-26 Table 6-9 Planting Schedule ……………………………………………………………………………........……….6-27 Table 6-10 Pine Straw Maintenance – Mowing Schedule ……………………………………........6-28 Table 6-11 Fertilization Schedule………………………….…………………………………………………………6-29 Table 6-12 Pine Straw Preparation Schedule…………………………………………………………………..6-30 Table 6-13 Pine Straw Raking Schedule…………………………………………………………………………..6-31 Table 6-14 Future Timber Sales……………………………………………………………………………………….6-32

TABLES

1-1 Location Map …………………………………………………………………….……………………… 1-5 4-1 Exotic Plants…................................................................................................. 4-4 4-2 Exotic Plants…................................................................................................. 4-5 4-3 Exotic Plants…................................................................................................. 4-6 4-4 Exotic Plants…................................................................................................. 4-7 5-1 FSJMA Firelines and Roads…........................................................................... 5-6 5-2 Historical Broadcast Burning…....................................................................... 5-7 6-1 Commercial Pine Plantations ….............................…………………….………………… 6-33 6-2 Previous Commercial Plantations Now Managed for Conservation………….…… 6-34 6-3 Commercial Pine Plantation Soil Types…........................................................ 6-35 6-3.1 Commercial Plantation Soil Types – Northwest Area………………………………..…… 6-36 6-3.2 Commercial Plantation Soil Types – Northeast Area………………….………………….. 6-37 6-3.3 Commercial Plantation Soil Types – Southwest Area……………………………..……… 6-38 6-3.4 Commercial Plantation Soil Types – Southeast Area……………………………………… 6-39 6-4 Original South Florida Timber Harvest Schedule………………………………………….… 6-40 6-5 Revised Short-Term Harvest Schedule…………………………………………………………… 6-41 6-6 Stilt House Harvest Area……………………………………………………………………………….. 6-42 6-7 Long-Term Commercial Pine Harvest Schedule…………………………………………..… 6-43 6-8 SFI Impacts on Long-Term Harvest Schedule………………………………………….……… 6-44 6-9 Contribution of Silvicultural Practices to Productivity Improvements …............ 6-45 and Rotation Lengths in Managed Southern Pine Stands 7-1 Current State of 1994 and 1995 Longleaf Pine Timber Plantation Areas 7-8 10-1 Core Conservation Area………………………………………………………………………………….. 10-6 10-2 Soils Key…........................................................................................................ 10-7 10-2.1 Soils Map Areas……………………………………………………………………………………………. 10-8 10-2.2 Soils Map Area #1……………………………………………………………………………………….… 10-9 10-2.3 Soils Map Area #2…………………………………………………………………………….…………… 10-10 10-2.4 Soils Map Area #3…………………………………………………………………………………………. 10-11 10-2.5 Soils Map Area #4……………………………………………………………………………………….… 10-12

FIGURES

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CROSS BAR AND AL BAR RANCH - FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

The Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranches (CB/AB) comprise 12,381 acres located in north-central Pasco

County. CB/AB is owned and managed by Pinellas County Utilities (PCU) and is primarily used as a regional well field, operated by Tampa Bay Water (TBW). Current management of CB/AB is based on a mixed-use resource management plan developed for the site in 1992, which called for the creation of high yield pine plantations while balancing the water supply program, agricul-tural operations, and wildlife habitat management (Quest, 2019). The land uses and activities on

CB/AB have evolved over this time period, requiring an update to the current program and de-velopment of a Forest Management Plan (FMP). The Objective of the FMP is to develop a plan which results in an economically efficient timber management operation that is compatible with the wildlife habitat restoration efforts and Tampa Bay Water’s (TBW) operations (Pinellas County, 2017). The Forest Management Plan shall outline a program for the best and most economical use of this land, and provide updated timber and pine straw harvest plans and reforestation plans in accordance with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Silviculture

Best Management Practices (FDACS, 2008).

In May 2018, PCU Pinellas County (County) contracted with The Forestry Company (TFC) to lead a team of professionals with the required expertise to develop and implement a comprehensive forest management plan. Development of the FMP for the property is one of the deliverables required by the contract.

Pinellas County maintains a set of requirements for protecting water resources that it applies to the ownership and management of the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch. This FMP has been prepared in conformance with these management requirements, listed below.

ii

• Protection of Water Resources - No land use or management will be permitted that could adversely impact the wellfield operations or compromise the area hydrology. The pro-posed management plan will provide for protection of the water resources by following

Best Management Practices as defined by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Con-sumer Services, and shall be consistent with TBW’s wellfield and water withdrawal re-stricted covenant and Pasco County’s Groundwater Protection Ordinance.

• Maintain or Enhance Property Security - A 24/7 onsite security mechanism should con-tinue in order to prevent exposure of the County to liability or jeopardize the wellfield and silviculture investments.

• Long-term Financial Return - Land uses must not put excessive fiscal burden on the

County. Capital outlay must be justified to demonstrate that the investment will offset the cost of implementing the proposed forest management plan.

• Wildlife Enhancement - Operations shall incorporate practices that increase and diversify habitat to encourage viable populations of important wildlife species.

• Laws and Regulations - Operations on the property will comply with the laws, rules, and ordinances of regulatory agencies at all jurisdictional levels.

• Sound Land Management - All practices shall adhere to standards that demonstrate re-sponsible and ethical land use per above. Perspective shall be long-term and focused on sustaining productivity.

• Tax Status Maintenance - Management of the property shall be that of accepted agricul-tural uses so that the current property taxing status is maintained.

• Public Perception - Use of the property shall enhance the area and maintain public sup-port.

It is the intent of this FMP to recommend goals and strategies based on sound forest manage-ment principles to be implemented to meet the above stated management requirements. The iii

Forest Management Plan shall outline a program for the best and most economical use of this land, and provide updated timber and pine straw harvest plans and reforestation plans in accord-ance with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Silviculture Best Man-agement Practices (SBMP) (FDACS, 2008) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s clearcut size and green-up guidelines (SFI, 2015).

The Forest Management Plan (FMP) will concentrate on the commercial pine plantation forests and the longleaf pine restoration forests, although the other forest types will be discussed as well. Pasture lands are excluded from this plan.

The recommended wildlife management, vegetation restoration and habitat restoration prac-tices are addressed in detail in the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch Ecosystem Management Plan

(EMP) (Quest, 2019). The Forest Management Plan (FMP) and the EMP are designed to harmo-nize with the other and as such, the FMP references the EMP as may be appropriate.

This FMP and the EMP are envisioned to be evolving documents with a significant Adaptive Man-agement component, whereas the County, along with the forestry consultant, ecological consult-ant and cattle ranch manager will collaborate to make any adaptive management changes.

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CROSS BAR AND AL BAR RANCH - FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. INTRODUCTION

The Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch (CB/AB) comprises 12,381 acres located in north-central Pasco

County. CB/AB is owned and managed by Pinellas County Utilities (PCU) and is primarily used as a regional well field, operated by Tampa Bay Water (TBW). Current management of CB/AB is based on a mixed-use resource management plan developed for the site in 1992, which called for the creation of high yield pine plantations while balancing the water supply program, agricul-tural operations, and wildlife habitat management. The land uses and activities on CB/AB have evolved over this time period, requiring an update to the current program and development of a

Forest Management Plan (FMP).

In May, 2018 Pinellas County (County) entered into a Services Agreement with The Forestry Com-pany (TFC) to provide a variety of land management services for their 12,381-acre water well field – the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch (CB/AB). One of the deliverables identified in the

County/TFC Services Agreement (167-0365-P(SS)) was to create a Forest Management Plan

(FMP) which is an “economically efficient timber management operation that is compatible with the wildlife habitat restoration efforts and Tampa Bay Water’s (TBW) operations” (Pinellas

County, 2017). The Forest Management Plan shall outline a program for the best and most eco-nomical use of this land, and provide updated timber and pine straw harvest plans and reforesta-tion plans in accordance with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Sil-viculture Best Management Practices (FDACS, 2008) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s clearcut size and green-up guidelines (SFI, 2015).

The Forest Management Plan (FMP) will concentrate on the commercial pine plantation forests and the longleaf pine restoration forests, although the other forest types will be discussed as well. Pasture lands are excluded from this plan.

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The recommended wildlife management, vegetation restoration and habitat restoration prac-tices for these forests are addressed in detail in the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch Ecosystem Man-agement Plan (Quest, 2019).

1.1 Background

The Cross Bar / Al Bar Ranch (CB/AB) is comprised of 12,381 acres of upland pine plantations and natural forests, forested wetlands, non-forested wetlands, prairies and pastures. It is located in north-central Pasco County, between US Highway 41 and I-75, approximately 1.5 miles north of

State Road 52 (Figure 1-1 – Location Map). The property is accessed from Bowman Road on the north and Locket Road on the South. CB/AB is owned and managed by Pinellas County Utilities

(PCU) and is primarily used as a regional well field, operated by Tampa Bay Water (TBW). CB/AB is currently being managed for mixed uses, including water supply operations, silviculture, agri-culture, and wildlife habitat management. The intent has been to manage the property to protect the water and natural resources, with the forestry, agricultural and other current and future rev-enue producing activities to be compatible with this intent and with the desire to offset manage-ment costs (Quest, 2019).

Pinellas County purchased the Cross Bar Ranch from the Norris Cattle Company in 1976 and con-structed 17 potable water supply wells on the property. The County leased the land to others for cattle and crop/citrus operations until 1992. The County purchased Al-Bar Ranch in 1990 and leased back the property for continuation of the existing ranching activities until 1992. In 1992 the County established a land management team to convert the property from principally a well-field and cattle ranch to a balanced regime of wellfield production, silviculture, wildlife enhance-ment and cattle production operations. The report “Natural Resource Production as a Manage-ment Option” (NRPS, 1992) was developed and formed the basis of the previous management program for the site. Over 4,400 acres of pine were planted between 1993 through 1996 on ex-isting pasture. Another 1,500 acres were designated as pasture for agricultural operations. The

Page | 1-3 remaining land (approximately 6,100 acres) was allowed to remain in the natural state, with min-imal management. The 1,678- acre Florida Scrub Jay Management Area was later designated on the Al-Bar Ranch. The activities on CB/AB have evolved since the implementation of the 1992 plan, requiring an update to the current program and development of a new Ecosystem Manage-ment Plan (EMP) (Quest, 2019) and a new Forest Management Plan (FMP).

1.2 Management Requirements

This FMP has been prepared in conformance with the County’s Management Requirements for the property, as outlined below:

ü Protection of Water Resources – No land use or management will be permitted that could adversely impact the wellfield operations or compromise the area hydrology.

ü Maintain or Enhance Property Security – A 24/7 onsite security mechanism will con-tinue in order to prevent exposure of the County to liability or jeopardize the wellfield and silvicultural investments.

ü Long-Term Financial Return – Land uses must not put excessive fiscal burden on the

County. Capital outlay must be justified to demonstrate that the investment will off-set the cost of implementing the proposed ecosystem management plan.

ü Wildlife Enhancement – Operations shall incorporate practices that increase and di-versify habitat to encourage viable populations of important wildlife species.

ü Laws and Regulations – Operations on the property will comply with the laws, rules, and ordinances of regulatory agencies at all jurisdictional levels.

ü Sound Land Management – All practices shall adhere to standards that demonstrate responsible and ethical land use per above.

ü Tax Status Maintenance – Management of the property shall be that of accepted ag-ricultural uses so that the current property taxing status is maintained.

ü Public Perception – Use of the property shall enhance the area and maintain public support.

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1.3 Objectives, Goals and Strategies of the Forest Management Plan

The Objective of the Forest Management Plan (FMP) is to develop a plan which results in an economically efficient timber management operation that is compatible with the wildlife hab-itat restoration efforts and Tampa Bay Water’s (TBW) operations. The Forest Management Plan shall outline a program for the best and most economical use of this land, and provide updated timber and pine straw harvest plans and reforestation plans in accordance with the Florida De-partment of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Silviculture Best Management Practices (FDACS, 2008) and the Sustainable Forestry Initiative’s clearcut size and green-up guidelines (SFI, 2015)

(Pinellas County, 2017).

The FMP will identify long-term goals for the various forest types on the CB/AB Ranch and develop strategies based on sound forest management principles which, if implemented, will result in the forests achieving those goals, while adhering to the above Management Require-ments. These goals are based on the mixed-use scenario of land management envisioned by PCU and subject to the need for significant Adaptive Management strategies due to the variability in a biological system.

The Forest Management Plan (FMP) will concentrate on the commercial pine plantation forests and the longleaf pine restoration forests, although the other forest types will be discussed as well. Pasture lands are excluded from this plan.

The recommended wildlife management, vegetation restoration and habitat restoration prac-tices are addressed in detail in the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch EMP (Quest, 2019). The Forest

Management Plan (FMP) and the EMP are designed to harmonize with the other and as such, the

FMP references the EMP as may be appropriate.

This FMP and the EMP are envisioned to be evolving documents with a significant Adaptive Man-agement component, whereas the County, along with the forestry consultant, ecological consult-ant and cattle ranch manager will collaborate to make any adaptive management changes.

Sources: Esri, HERE, DeLorme, USGS, Intermap, increment P Corp., NRCAN, Esri Japan, METI, Esri China (Hong Kong), Esri (Thailand), MapmyIndia, © OpenStreetMap contributors, and the GIS User Community µ

NOTE: ACREAGE WAS DETERMINED ON THIS MAP THROUGH THE USE OF GLOBAL POSITIONING SYSTEMS (GPS) AND/OR GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS). THIS MAP IS NOT A SURVEY. THEREFORE, ACREAGE ON THIS MAP AND ANY SUBSEQUENT REPORT SHOULD BE VIEWED AS AN APPROXIMATION. FURTHERMORE, THE USE OF ANY OF THESE ACREAGES IN NEGOTIATIONS, SALES, OR CONTRACTUAL AGREEMENTS IS ENTIRELY AT THE RISK OF THE BUYER AND SELLER. REPRODUCTION OF OR EDITING OF THIS MAP IS FORBIDDEN WITHOUT EXPRESS

WRITTEN PERMISSION OF THE FORESTRY COMPANY.

THE FORESTRY COMPANY

JOHN BOGUE

502 W. GREEN ST.

PERRY, FL. 32347

(850) 584 8887 09/16/19

PROJECTION: NAD 83, UTM Z17 NORTH, METERS

1:110,000

2 0 2 41

Miles

CROSSS BAR & AL BAR RANCH

PASCO CO., FL

LOCATION MAP

H ig hw ay

State Road 52

LEGEND

Cross Bar & Al Bar Ranch Property Boundary

Hernando Co.

Pasco Co.

I-75 & SR 52

Highway 41 & SR 52

_̂ Locket Ave Gate Bowman Rd Gate_̂

Locket Rd & HWY 41 (1.75 mi N. of 41 & 52)

Cross Bar

Al Bar

The Forestry Company Rectangle

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text Figure 1-1. Location Map Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

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The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

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The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

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The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

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The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

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The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

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The Forestry Company

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2. SILVICULTURE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES

The Forestry Company and its sub-contractors voluntarily employ the practices identified in the

Florida Silviculture Best Management Practices (SBMP), the Florida Agriculture Wildlife Best Man-agement Practices for State Imperiled Species(ABMP) (FDACS 2015), and the Florida Forestry

Wildlife Best Management Practices for State Imperiled Species(WBMP) (FDACS, 2014) at a min-imum, in management of the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch in Pasco County, Florida. TFC has sub-mitted the “Notice of Intent to Implement” these practices to the Florida Department of Agricul-ture and Consumer Services.

TFC staff reviews the SBMP expectations with all new sub-contractors that come on site to do forestry or agriculture work prior to work commencing; and then monitor compliance with these standards on an ongoing basis.

The basic BMP concept is the implementation of all practices that apply to a given forestry operation.

The Best Management Practices referenced above are over one hundred pages in length and will not be repeated verbatim in this FMP. However, listed below are the Silviculture BMP guidelines

(FDACS, 2008) most commonly utilized on the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch.

2.1 Special Management Zones (SMZ)

The Special Management Zone (SMZ) is a BMP which consists of a specific area associated with a stream, lake, or other waterbody that is designated and maintained during silviculture opera-tions. The purpose of the SMZ is to protect water quality by reducing or eliminating forestry re-lated inputs of sediment, nutrients, logging debris, chemicals and water temperature fluctuations that can adversely affect aquatic communities. SMZs provide shade, streambank stability and erosion control, as well as detritus and woody debris which benefits the aquatic ecosystem in general. In addition, the SMZ is designed to maintain certain forest attributes that will provide

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

The Forestry Company Typewritten Text

Page | 2-2 specific wildlife habitat values. Snags, den and cavity trees as well as mast producing trees, left in the SMZ, are necessary to meet habitat requirements for certain types of wildlife. The Special

Management Zone has three principal components – the Primary Zone, the Secondary Zone and the Stringer. One or more of these components may apply on a given forestry operation, depend-ing on the Site Sensitivity Class (SSC). The SSC is based on soil slope and erodibility and on the type and size of waterbodies on site.

2.1.1 Primary Zone

The Primary Zone width varies based on the stream width, stream type and slope/soil erodibility.

Tables are found in the SBMP Manual to assist the forest manager in determining the appropriate primary zone width needed in each situation.

Clearcut harvesting is prohibited in the Primary Zone except for special conditions described in

Appendix 11 of the SBMP manual.

• Clearcut harvesting is always prohibited within 35 feet of all perennial waters and within

50 feet of all waterbodies designated as Outstanding Florida Waters (OFW), Outstanding

Natural Resource Waters (ONRW) or Class I Waters.

• Selective harvesting may be conducted to the extent that 50% of a fully stocked stand is maintained. The residual stand should conform to the following:

o Trees should be left to maintain the approximate proportion of diameter classes and species present prior to harvesting, except that oaks (other than water oaks) and den trees may be favored. However, in mixed pine/hardwood forests the re-sidual stand may be composed of up to 90% hardwood and 10% pine, and den trees may be favored.

• Repeated entry into a harvested Primary Zone in short time intervals for additional har-vesting is prohibited.

• No trees will be harvested in stream channels or on the immediate stream bank.

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Special emphasis should be given to protection of very large trees and/or old trees, protection of snags and cavity trees and protection of trees where any part of the canopy overhangs the water.

The following forestry activities are prohibited within the Primary Zone of the SMZ:

• Mechanical site preparation.

• Loading decks or landings, and log bunching points.

• Main skid trails, except to approach a designated stream crossing.

• Aerial application, mist blowing or operational application (See Glossary) of pesticides or fertilizer, including any drift from nearby applications.

• Cleaning spray equipment or discharging rinse water from pesticide or fertilizer applica-tions.

• New road construction except when crossing a waterbody.

• Site preparation burning on slopes of 18% or greater.

• No plowed (fireline plow) pre-suppression firelines.

2.1.2 The Secondary Zone

The Secondary Zone applies to all intermittent streams, intermittent lakes and sinkholes with intermittent water. In addition, for perennial waterbodies, OFWs, ONRWs and Class I Waters, the Secondary Zone may apply as an “addon” to the Primary Zone.

For intermittent waterbodies, the Secondary Zone is always at least 35 feet wide on each side of a stream or around the circumference of lakes and sinkholes. Depending on the SSC, the width of the Secondary Zone for intermittent waterbodies may be as much as 300 feet. The SSC is used to determine the width of the Secondary Zone, in the case of intermittent waters, as well as the necessity for the Secondary Zone, in the case of perennial waters, OFWs, ONRWs and Class I waters. Generally, the more erodible the soil and the steeper the slope, the wider the Secondary

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Zone, and/or the wider the entire SMZ. Appendix 1 of the SBMP manual lists the SSC for all combinations of soil and slope conditions, and provides the width requirements for the applicable SMZ under each condition. The Secondary Zone has no timber harvesting limitations.

Unrestricted selective harvesting and clearcut harvesting are both permissible anywhere within the Secondary Zone. However, the following operational restrictions apply:

• No mechanical site preparation.

• No loading decks or landings

• No site prep broadcast burning on slopes greater than 18%

• No roads, except for crossings

2.1.3 Stringer

Intermittent streams are those that have a well-defined channel but maintain only seasonal flow under typical climatic conditions. This includes natural streams that have been altered by dredg-ing and/or straightening. For all intermittent streams, the Stringer is required. The total SMZ for intermittent streams consists of the Stringer, which occupies the immediate stream bank, and the Secondary Zone. The Secondary Zone, like the Primary Zone, is measured from the stream, beginning at the break in slope at the top of the stream bank, out to the designated width. In addition, where the stream is connected to the inflow and/or discharge point of a flowing wet-land, the Zone extends an additional 50 feet beyond the defined channel into the wetland. All intermittent waterbodies are afforded a Stringer and a Secondary Zone of at least 35 feet, re-gardless of the SSC. However, depending on the SSC, an intermittent stream could have a Sec-ondary Zone as wide as 300 feet. Note that the total SMZ is composed of the Stringer and the

Secondary Zone - no Primary Zone applies to intermittent streams.

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2.2 Application of SMZs

2.2.1 Perennial Streams

Perennial streams are those that have a well-defined channel and maintain flow or continuous pools of water throughout most of the year under typical climatic conditions. This includes natu-ral streams that have been altered by dredging and/or straightening. For perennial streams, the overall Special Management Zone is composed of a Primary Zone and, depending on the SSC, possibly a Secondary Zone. The Primary Zone for perennial streams ranges in width from 35 to

200 feet, depending on stream width or type. However, the Zone is applied to both sides of the stream. In addition, where the stream is connected to the inflow and/or discharge point of a flowing wetland, the Zone extends an additional 50 feet beyond the defined channel into the wetland (Figure 4). The Primary Zone is measured from the stream, beginning at the break in slope at the top of the stream bank, out to the designated width. Stream width is the typical bank to bank width of the stream within the harvest unit, measured in feet.

Selective timber harvesting is allowed within the Primary SMZ, consistent with the Primary Zone

-Management Criteria. Clearcut harvesting is prohibited in the Primary SMZ, unless the operation qualifies as an exception as described in Appendix 11 in the SBMP manual. Depending on the SSC of the harvest unit, a Secondary Zone may also be required. If so, the Secondary Zone width is measured beginning at the outer boundary of the Primary Zone and continuing landward for the required distance as determined by the SSC. Note that where there is no Secondary Zone re-quired, the Primary Zone is the total SMZ. Likewise, where the SSC is such that a Secondary Zone is required, the total SMZ width is the sum of the Primary Zone and Secondary Zone, up to a maximum of 300 feet.

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2.2.2 Intermittent Streams

Intermittent streams are those that have a well - defined channel but maintain only seasonal flow under typical climatic conditions. This includes natural streams that have been altered by dredg-ing and/or straightening. For all intermittent streams, the Stringer is required. The total SMZ for intermittent streams consists of the Stringer, which occupies the immediate stream bank, and the Secondary Zone. The Secondary Zone, like the Primary Zone, is measured from the stream, beginning at the break in slope at the top of the stream bank, out to the designated width. In addition, where the stream is connected to the inflow and/or discharge point of a flowing wet-land, the Zone extends an additional 50 feet beyond the defined channel into the wetland. All intermittent waterbodies are afforded a Stringer and a Secondary Zone of at least 35 feet, re-gardless of the SSC. However, depending on the SSC, an intermittent stream could have a Sec-ondary Zone as wide as 300 feet (Appendix 1 of the SBMP manual). Note that the total SMZ is composed of the Stringer and the Secondary Zone - no Primary Zone applies to intermittent streams.

2.2.3 Perennial Lakes and Sinkholes

A Primary Zone of 35' applies to all perennial lakes that are 2 acres or larger in size, and to sinkholes that maintain perennial surface waters. This Zone is measured from the lake or sinkhole, beginning at the break in slope at the top of the shoreline, out to the designated width. In addition, a Secondary Zone may apply to these waterbodies depending on the SSC associated with the harvest unit. The Secondary Zone, if required, would begin at the outer boundary of the Primary Zone and continue outward from the lake or sinkhole the specified distance.

2.2.4 Intermittent Lakes and Sinkholes

A Stringer and a Secondary Zone of at least 35 feet apply to all intermittent lakes that are 2 acres or larger in size and to sinkholes that maintain intermittent surface waters. Depending

Page | 2-7 on the SSC associated with the project site, the Secondary Zone could extend out as much as

300 feet.

2.3 Other Best Management Practices

The following sections of this FMP provide the listing and application of Best Management Prac-tices (BMP) established for silviculture operations in Florida. The BMPs are arranged by specific application to various land types, waterbody types, forestry activities and special conditions. It should be noted that the Special Management Zone concept, described in the previous section, is also a BMP and is frequently referenced under the various BMP applications. The Best Man-agement Practices in this Manual are generally presented as individual practices within a partic-ular category. However, the basic BMP concept is the implementation of all practices that apply to a given forestry operation. In that regard, no single practice is designed to accomplish the total BMP objective.

2.3.1 Application of BMPs on Public Lands

Unlike forest management on private lands, the need to derive economic return may not be the dominant force that leads to public land ownership or drives public land management. Often, the acquisition and management of public land has as its objective, to maximize ecological res-toration, preserve existing natural resources and facilitate optimum public use. When such is the case, the BMPs in this manual must be considered as minimum standards that, by themselves, will not always achieve public land management goals. Consequently, public land management agencies charged with developing and implementing management plans for public lands should do so in conformance with this Manual, and to the greatest extent practical, with the following enhancements.

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Areas within the Special Management Zone designated as a Primary Zone should be managed as a no-cut zone. Any timber harvesting within these no-cut zones should be limited to operations that are in association with ecological restoration or wildlife habitat enhancement practices.

The Special Management Zone is only one of the BMP concepts that may warrant additional con-sideration by land managers prior to implementation on public lands. Public land management agencies are advised and encouraged to augment the BMPs where appropriate, particularly on lands that are managed for non-forestry objectives. Protection of forested wetlands within these lands should be given special consideration. In addition, such agencies should maintain environ-mental/ecological inventories of public lands and actively implement and study alternatives that exceed the BMPs in this manual. Results should be well documented to help facilitate future BMP revisions. Copies of enhanced management plans or any such studies should be forwarded to the

Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Florida Forest Service.

2.3.2 Application of BMPS in Wetlands

For regulatory purposes, wetlands are defined by the presence or absence of specific types of vegetation, soils and hydrologic conditions. However, it is not the intent nor within the scope of the SBMP manual, to define wetlands for regulatory purposes or to use any particular regulatory definition. Wetlands, for the purpose of the SBMP manual, are listed by type in Appendix 5 of the manual. In addition, areas of pine flatwoods may contain certain wetland types listed in this

Manual, such as cypress ponds. However, for the purpose of the SBMP manual, pine flatwoods are not considered wetlands. Conversely, the presence of pine species within swamps, sloughs or floodplains does not necessarily make these areas “pine sites.” Because of the generally wet soil conditions associated with forested wetlands, some of these areas can be very sensitive to forestry activities, particularly during flooding or periods of soil saturation. Since logging will not be conducted in wetlands on the Cross Bar and Al Bar Ranch, most SBMPs for logging in wetlands

Page | 2-9 will be excluded in this FMP. However, the following SBMPs do apply and relate to the wetlands.

Drainage:

• Logging slash must not be pushed into or piled around ponds or other isolated wetlands.

• Avoid fireline plowing (with a fire plow) in wetlands.

Roads:

• Avoid fill road construction, especially in floodplains or other wetlands with flowing water.

Roads constructed at ground level are less likely to restrict flowing water.

• Do not construct permanent roads in wetlands except to serve large and frequently used areas, provide access for a crossing, or provide fire protection.

• When crossing wetlands, ensure that fill roads are properly and adequately culverted and do not act to impound or divert normal stormflow, flood flow or sheet flow.

2.3.3 Application of BMPS for Canals

• During normal silvicultural operations, do not operate heavy equipment within canals or in such a manner as to result in damage to the canal bank.

• Avoid canal crossings when possible. Where necessary, construct crossings in accordance with the Stream Crossings section of the Silviculture BMP manual.

• Do not conduct bedding, chopping or other site preparation activities in such a way that results in direct surface water discharge into a canal.

• Avoid dropping logging slash in canals; remove significant amounts of logging slash from canals.

• Do not discharge pesticides not approved for aquatic use, fertilizer, or other pollutants into canals. Do not dispose of chemical containers and/or equipment rinse water in canal waters.

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2.3.4 Application of BMPS for Sinkholes

• For sinkholes with perennial or intermittent open water, or which connect to an intermit-tent or perennial stream, apply the appropriate Special Management Zone to the sinkhole.

• Do not place any debris, trash, or waste in any sinkhole or in any surface drainage feature that flows into a sinkhole.

• Avoid mechanical operations such as harvest or site preparation, fertilization, or pesticide use in sinkholes.

• When working adjacent to sinkholes, do not alter land surface slope to direct surface drain-age into the sinkhole - apply mechanical site preparation such as bedding on the contour.

2.3.5 Application of BMPS for Forest Roads

• All drainage structures should be periodically checked and maintained, especially following excessive rainfall events. If signs of sediment and/or turbid discharges are present, take immedi-ate corrective actions for any problem.

• Ditches and culverts should be kept free of major obstructions and ditches should be al-lowed to revegetate as much as is practicable.

• Mulching or otherwise stabilizing critical segments of temporary and permanent roads will accelerate revegetation, ensure road utility in the future and protect nearby watercourses.

• The use of a culvert is the most common method for constructing stream crossings asso-ciated with forestry activities. Culverts are well suited for crossing both perennial and inter-mittent streams as well as other wet areas. However, several other types of stream crossings are also well suited for forestry related stream crossings under certain conditions.

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• Place culverts in a section of the stream channel that is relatively straight and free from curves, meandering or major obstructions.

• Place the bottom of the culvert at the same elevation as the bottom of the stream, and at approximately the same slope.

• Keep the height of the entire structure (culvert plus fill) as low as possible to reduce the po-tential for impounding large areas of water.

• Use a culvert diameter that is sufficient to carry the normal flow expected. Culvert sizing for permanent installations should be based on the size and nature of the stream channel being crossed, or on the size and nature of the watershed above the crossing.

• When crossing broad channels or wetlands, several small culverts, spaced throughout the crossing, are normally preferable to a single large one.

• For temporary stream crossings, a culvert may be sized to reflect seasonal flow conditions.

For example, during normally dry periods a small culvert may provide adequate stormflow capacity on a temporary basis. However, a culvert sized under such conditions must be re-moved immediately following the activity, or replaced with a size that will accommodate nor-mal year-round flows.

• Periodically inspect all culverts to prevent clogging, plugging and eventual failure. Remove any debris or sediment deposits that have the potential to cause culvert clogging.

• Hard surface crossings or fords are commonly used for stream crossings during forestry op-erations. These crossings consist of lining the stream channel with rock, brick, logs, concrete, or other such material. In some cases, the stream bottom may be naturally armored and may accommodate light traffic without artificial substrate. Hard surface crossings may be con-structed on both perennial and intermittent streams, and offer some important advantages over culverted crossings. In many cases, a hard surface crossing may cost considerably less than a culvert crossing, depending on the availability of surfacing material. Also, hard surface crossings are virtually maintenance free and normally do not become clogged or plugged be-cause they maintain the natural shape of the stream channel. The material used in hard

Page | 2-12 surface crossings is relatively large and stable. Consequently, these type crossings usually do not fail or blow-out the way other structural crossings can. As long as the armoring material does not significantly impound flow or cause erosive currents, these crossings can accommo-date normal streamflow while providing good access at very low risk to water quality.

• Do not use logs or logging slash as a permanent hard surface crossing material. Logs may be used to facilitate temporary crossings but must be removed from the channel upon complet-ing the operation.

• Keep the height of the surfacing material at a minimum; hard surface crossings must not sig-nificantly restrict normal streamflow.

2.3.6 Application of BMPS for Timber Harvesting

Skid Trails

• Locate skid trails along the contour whenever practical to promote revegetation and reduce soil erosion. If skidding must be done up or down the slope, the operator should skid uphill and avoid long, continuous skid trails.

• After skidding activities are complete, stabilize skid trails where necessary by installing wa-ter bars or similar structures at recommended intervals - seeding and fertilizing skid trails will accelerate stabilization on erodible soils and/or steep slopes.

• When skidding in muck or peat (organic) soils such as in swamps, bogs or similar wetlands, concentrate skidding to as few trails as possible - this will confine soil compaction to small areas.

• When skidding on mineral soils, such as in uplands, skidding should be dispersed so that soil compaction is minimal even in individual trails.

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• Keep main skid trails out of all Special Management Zones except to approach a designated crossing.

• Keep loading decks or landings out of all Special Management Zones. In addition, keep all log bunching points out of the Primary Zone of the SMZ.

Slash Disposal

• Logging slash, such as tops and limbs, which are incidental to timber harvesting activities may be left in place, as long as such material is not left in a waterbody.

• Remove logging slash from all…