Attachment H - Honey Comb Specifications.pdf

Honeycomb Timber Sale (#41336) – Red Pine/Aspen VMP 03/26/2020

SECTION C – DESCRIPTION/SPECIFICATION/WORK STATEMENT

C.1 Scope of Contract This contract is for Payment Units (1-5) in the Honeycomb Timber Sale. It involves timber marking and volume estimation of approximately 122 acres in Aspen and Red Pine forest types, broken down by the following descriptions:

(1) PINE AND SPRUCE THINNING (even-age, 1st Thinning) (Marking & Cruising)

Payment Units 1 & 2: approximately 49 acres

First thinning’s in pine and spruce stands. These stands consist of a higher basal area of pole-sized trees, and are predominately uniform plantations. Some stands may contain damage from disease or insects. Stands that have not been on “regular entry cycle for thinning” could also include a sawtimber-sized component. Marking objectives include establishing skid trails prior to thinning to the desired residual basal area and spacing guidelines between trails.

(2) CLEARCUT/REMOVAL CUT (Marking & Cruising - where all trees are counted)

Payment Units 3-5: approximately 73 acres

Generally in a clearcut or removal cut, where all LIVE and/or DEAD trees that meet minimum specifications for size or species are designated for removal EXCEPT for trees marked as RESERVE TREES, LEAVE TREES or trees within PROTECTED

AREAS.

In Payment Units where designated Species are too variable for Area Estimate Cruising methods, trees designated for removal will be marked with a paint spot at eye level to verify the tree was counted – a stump mark is not generally required.

(3) SAMPLE TREE CRUISING METHOD

Payment Units 1-5: approximately 122 acres

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

NOTE: USFS has not marked the Road ROW unit (6) yet for this sale. This will be done by USFS at a later date. For units that have a road running through them, contractor should still mark/cruise trees up to the edge of the existing road clearing.

Attachment H - Honeycomb Marking Contract

Honeycomb Timber Sale (#41336) – Red Pine/Aspen VMP 03/26/2020 NOTE: Government furnished tree marking paint (TMP) will be issued, or returned, by appointment only at the KENTON RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE. The primary point of contact for all TMP transactions will be the paint custodian. This person will be identified at the pre-work meeting. BLUE paint has been designated for this sale.

NOTE: USFS will mark any and all Leave Trees.

NOTE: Refer to Marking Guides and Marking Instructions for payment unit specific information

C.2 LOCATION AND DESCRIPTION

The Honey Comb Marking/Cruising Contract is located on the Kenton Ranger District and consists of 49 acres of 1st entry red pine thinning, and 73 acres of aspen clearcuts.

This sale can be accessed from the following direction:

From M-28 in Kenton, travel north on FH-16 for approximately 4.5 miles to FR 1250 and go west. Sale is on either side of FR 1250.

From M-38, travel south on FH-16 approximately 16 miles to FR 1250. Go west on FR 1250.

The sale is on either side of the road.

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

(ft2/acre)

1-04 63-2 21 4.1a 14b 205B TMV 2 500 1978 6 60 280 14b 210B TMC 14b 205C TMV

2-04 62-8 28 4.2a 14b 206B TMC-Vac 2 500 1986 6 75 200

STAND DESCRIPTION

PU1 and PU2 are both red pine plantations, established in 1978 and 1986 respectively. Neither stand has yet received its 1st entry thinning. Species compositions in both stands are dominated by red pine, but scattered paper birch, larch, jack pine, eastern white pine, and occasional veins of quaking aspen also occur. There is some balsam fir regeneration throughout the understory. Stand densities are high, and these stands persist in an overstocked condition. The average BA for PU1 is 280 ft2/acre. The average BA for PU2 is 200 ft2/acre. Red pine diameters range between 6” – 12”, with an average DBH of 9”.

DESIRED CONDITION

The desired condition for these stands are to become mature, healthy red pine stands with some species diversity.

SHORT AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

The short term objective is to thin the red pine through a combination of row thinning and low thinning techniques.

Poor form, suppressed, and high risk trees should be removed. Skid trails/rows should be established to allow for access. The thinning will remove low-quality, high-risk trees and allow growing space, light, and nutrients to be re-distributed to the residual stand.

The long-term objective is to develop mature, healthy red pine stands with some species diversity.

REMARKS

If you have any questions, please contact Kenton Ranger District Silviculturist.

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Red Pine Thinning EA TIMBER SALE: Honeycomb PU: 1 & 2

MARKING GUIDE:

Name of Treatment - Commercial Thinning Residual BA/Ac: 90-100 ft2 Acres - see table above These stands should be marked for a 1st entry red pine thinning. Thin the red pine by approximately 40% to a residual basal area no lower than 90-100 ft2/acre. The stands should be thinned by no more than 33 – 50% of their current basal area. As result, some areas may be left higher than the prescribed BA. Establish perpendicular rows for access and equipment operability. Mark enough trees to ensure the stand is operable. In some of the denser areas of the stand, establishing rows may be all that’s needed to achieve the basal area target. Remove all high risk and poor form trees. All high risk aspen, jack pine, maple, fir, and spruce should be harvested. Retain healthy paper birch, eastern white pine, black cherry, and any healthy tree other than red pine.

Aspen inclusions, if encountered, should be marked for clearcut to regenerate the aspen clone.

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 an insect or disease threat to the stand (14). If cull trees need to be marked the silviculturist should be notified to look at the risk.

If any stick nests are found (20) the wildlife biologist should be consulted.

If any archaeological sites are located during layout or implementation the Archaeologist should be consulted (66).

Winter or Dry Summer for most of the units.

Treat aspen inclusions in other forest type to favor aspen (5).

Remove all merchantable ironwood (8) Remove all white spruce 10 inches and greater (9)

POST HARVEST TREATMENTS

FACTS Code Name of Treatment Prescription

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year Facts Activity Code Description 2021 4220 Commercial Thinning

Prepared by: John Bowers

Reviewed by: Dave Steffensen

Reviewed by:

Approved by:

Title: Silviculturist

Title: Certified Silviculturist

Title:

Title:

Date: 4/8/2020

Date: 4/8/2020

Date:

Date:

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: TIMBER SALE: Honeycomb PU: 1 & 2

STAND INFORMATION

PU

Comp- Stand

Acres MA LTA ELTP

Habitat Type

Cover Type LSC

Year of Origin

Size Density SI

BA

(ft2/acre)

3-04 62-7 43 4.2a 14b 206B TMC-Vac 92 500 1955 7 60 100 62-26 14b 210B TMC 91 500 1979 60

14b 211B ATD 14b 203B TMC

4-04 41-9 19 4.2a 14b 206B TMC-Vac 11 600 1935 7 50 100 41-12 14b 205B TMV 91 600 1966 65

5-04 41-9 11 4.2a 14b 208B TMC-Vac 11 600 1935 8 50 130 41-17 14b 210B TMC 91 500 1985 70 41-25 2 500 1963 50

STAND DESCRIPTION

These stands are a mix of mature aspen, paper birch, pole-size red maple and sugar maple, and declining spruce and balsam fir. Occasional hemlock and cedar also occur. Some legacy red pine and eastern white pine are scattered throughout the stands. Patches of hardwoods occur amongst the aspen. There is heavy balsam fir mortality throughout these stands. There is a decent amount of various conifer regeneration in the understory (fir, spruce, white pine). Several areas of the stands have poor timber-quality. Stand densities generally range from 90 to 120 ft2/acre BA. The average DBH for aspen is approximately 12”.

PU4 and PU5 are both divided into three separate pieces. The “middle piece” of PU5 that occurs along the west side of FH-16 is a small red pine plantation that should receive the same 1st entry thinning treatment as the pine in PU1 and PU2.

DESIRED CONDITION

The desired condition is a variable stand with large areas of young, dense aspen seedlings averaging a density of ~3200 trees per acre. Other desirable regeneration includes paper birch, eastern white pine, and spruce. Some reserve groups of healthy paper birch, cedar, and hemlock should be left, in addition to, some legacy white pine and red pine. The red pine in PU5 should be thinned to encourage the growth and development of the residual stand.

SHORT AND LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

The short term objective is to remove most of the material from the site and regenerate the aspen component, while retaining some of the overstory white pine/red pine legacy structure and some small groups of healthy desirable trees of other species.

The long term objective is develop a mature aspen stand with a component of eastern white pine, red pine, paper birch, and cedar. Some overstory white pine and red pine will hopefully persist into the next stand, providing additional structural diversity.

REMARKS

The pine plantation in PU5 is an old sand pit used during construction on FH-16, replanted to red pine in 1963.

If you have any questions, please contact Kenton Ranger District Silviculturist.

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Aspen Management EA TIMBER SALE: Honeycomb PU: 3, 4, 5

OTTAWA NATIONAL FOREST

SILVICULTURAL PRESCRIPTION / MARKING GUIDES

Name of Treatment - Clearcut Residual BA/Ac: < 10 ft2 Acres - see table above The objective is to remove most of the trees from the site and regenerate a new aspen stand. Mark all aspen and other high risk or poor health trees, regardless of species, for removal. Reserve groups can be left amongst the aspen and should be composed of healthy white pine, red pine, paper birch, cedar, and hemlock. An occasional large, healthy overstory white pine or red pine can be left. Reserve groups and trees should not exceed 10% of the area. The residual BA target < 10 ft2/acre.

The red pine plantation in PU5 should be thinned by approximately 40% of current BA to approximately 90-100 ft2/acre BA. Follow the same thinning guidelines here as for PU1 and PU2. Establish rows to allow access. Mark enough trees for removal here to ensure operability during the timber harvest.

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 an insect or disease threat to the stand (14). If cull trees need to be marked the silviculturist should be notified to look at the risk.

If any stick nests are found (20) the wildlife biologist should be consulted.

If any archaeological sites are located during layout or implementation the Archaeologist should be consulted (66).

Winter or Dry Summer for most of the units.

Treat aspen inclusions in other forest type to favor aspen (5).

Remove all merchantable ironwood (8) Remove all white spruce 10 inches and greater (9)

POST HARVEST TREATMENTS

FACTS Code Name of Treatment Prescription

4341 Stocking Survey 1St Year 4341 Stocking Survey 3rd Year 4382 Certification wo/ SP Certification without site preparation

ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Year Facts Activity Code Description 2021 4113 Clearcut 2022 4341 Stocking Survey 2024 4341 Stocking Survey 2025 4382 Certification without site preparation

Prepared by: John Bowers

Reviewed by:

Reviewed by:

Approved by:

Title: Silviculturist

Title:

Title:

Title:

Date: 4/8/2020

Date:

Date:

Date:

MARKING GUIDE:

NEPA DECISION DOCUMENT: Aspen Management EA TIMBER SALE: Honeycomb PU: 3, 4, 5

Honeycomb Timber Sale (#41336) – Red Pine/Aspen VMP 4/9/2020 Marking Guides/Cruise Design

CRUISE DESIGN - STRATA 1 - Sample Tree Measure (STR)

Estimated Gross Sale Value: ~ $75,037.46

Maximum Sampling Error (Sale): +/- 14% (per FSH 2409.12, Chapter 40, 41.1 – Exhibit 01) Maximum Sampling Error (Stratum): +/- 40% for tree measurement sales

******** Marking Contract Acres ********

Payment Unit Treatment Approx. Acres 3-5 Aspen Clearcut 73

1 & 2 Red Pine Thinning 49 Total Approximate Acres: 122

******** USFS Marking Acres ********

Payment Unit Treatment Approx. Acres 6 ROW Right-of-way clearing – USFS will mark (1)

Instructions

Payment Units 3-5: Aspen Clearcut/Sample Tree Cruising (STR)

ALL merchantable trees within these Payment Units are designated for removal EXCEPT hemlock, cedar, white and red pine (which are designated leave tree species) AND Leave Trees (LTs).

Merchantable trees (except hemlock, cedar, white and red pine) to be removed from these Payment Units only require a paint mark at DBH to verify the tree has been counted; a stump mark is not required. Designated leave species (hemlock, cedar, white and red pine) require a paint mark at DBH AND at the stump only when chosen for removal (operability, disease/insect, or other conditions that may be described in the Marking Guides). Any and all LT’s will be marked by USFS. LT’s are to be marked with a single orange band at DBH, and a corresponding orange stump mark. As stated in the “REMARKS” and “MARKING GUIDE” section, no lone Elm or Oak are too be left. LT’s will need to be marked around the lone oak or elm, if not a designated leave species. LT’s may also include healthy groups of hardwoods as stated in the Marking Guides. All banded LT’s are to be counted and recorded by species and by payment unit during the cruise, preferably with provided Leave Tree Form and turned in with Tally Cards for each payment unit. (see specific Marking Instructions for these Payment Units) Cruise marked trees using the Sample Groups and Sample Intervals below.

Payment Units 1 & 2 : Red Pine Thinning/Sample Tree Cruising (STR) ALL merchantable trees to be removed from this Payment Unit require two paint marks at DBH on opposite sides of the tree AND a corresponding stump mark (see specific Marking Instructions for this Payment Unit). Cruise marked trees using the Sample Groups and Sample Intervals below. PU 1 and 2 are 1st thinning’s and skid trails will need to be established in the direction of landing locations.

Specifics will be discussed at pre-work meeting.

Honeycomb Timber Sale (#41336) – Red Pine/Aspen VMP 04/09/2020

Payment Unit 6: Right-of-way Clearing (USFS mark) - Sample Tree Cruising (STR) ALL merchantable trees to be removed from this Payment Unit require paint marks at DBH on opposite sides of the tree AND a corresponding stump mark. Cruise marked trees using the Sample Groups and Sample Intervals below.

NOTE: Refer to Marking Guides for specific marking instructions for these Payment Units.

* USFS personnel will be marking Payment Unit 6 - road ROW at a later date.

NOTE: Government furnished tree marking paint (TMP) will be issued, or returned, by appointment only at the KENTON RANGER DISTRICT OFFICE. The primary point of contact for all TMP transactions will be the paint custodian. This person will be identified at the pre-work meeting. BLUE paint has been designated for this sale.

Honeycomb Timber Sale - #41336 Cruise Design-Strata 1 (Sample Tree Measure)

Sample Group Description DBH Range Sample Interval

AL Large Aspen Pulpwood 11.0” + 1:150 AS Small Aspen Pulpwood 5.0” – 10.99” 1:300 CP Mixed Conifer Pulpwood (Fir, Spruce, White

Pine, Cedar, Hemlock) 5.0” + 1:100

CW Mixed Conifer Sawtimber (Fir, Spruce, Cedar

& Hemlock) 9.0” + 1:20

HL Large Mixed Hardwood Pulpwood (Maple, Birch, Ash, Ironwood, Cherry, Oak, Basswood, Elm)

11.0” + 1:20

HS Small Mixed Hardwood Pulpwood (Maple, Birch, Ash, Ironwood, Cherry, Oak, Basswood, Elm)

5.0” – 10.99” 1:300

OW Other Hardwood Sawtimber (Red Maple, Birch, Ash, Oak, Basswood, Elm)

11.00”+ 1:25

SW Sugar Maple Sawtimber 11.00”+ 1:5 JP Jack Pine Pulpwood 5.00” + 1:50 RP Red Pine Pulpwood 5.0”+ 1:300 RW Red Pine Sawtimber 9.0”+ 1:150 WW White Pine Sawtimber 9.0” + 1:5

Prepared by David Vogt, Forestry Technician

MINIMUM TREE AND PIECE UTILIZATION STANDARDS

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.

Marking Prescriptions Written by:

/s/ John L. Bowers______________________ 04-10-2020___________________ John L. Bowers Date Silviculturist

Narrative by:

/s/ Jacklyn Paukert_________________________ 04-09-2020_______________________ Jacklyn Paukert, Forestry Technician(TSI) Date

Cruise Design by:

/s/ David Vogt_____________________________ 04/10/2020________________________ David Vogt, Forestry Technician Date

Reviewed by:

/s/ James K. Pelkola____________________ 04-10-2020______________________ James K. Pelkola Date Supervisory Forester / TMA (North Zone)

Approved by:

/s/ Barbara C. Van Alstine________________ 04/09/2020______________________ Barbara C. Van Alstine Date District Ranger

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Be a ve rC reek

FH

FDR1250

FDR12

FDR1226-D

FDR1300

FD

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FD

R1 2-A

FDR1415

FDR1240

FDR1302

FDR1255

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FDR402813

FDR1302-B

FDR1418

FDR1254

FH

-16

U SDA - APFO; U SDA - U SFS – GTAC

Ho n eyc o m b TS #41336 Pa ym en t U n it/ V ic in ity Map

JLP 05/05/2020 0 0.25 0.5 0.75 10.125 Miles

Regio n 9 Superviso r, Fo rest, a n d Distric t o ffic es

Legend X R9 OTT Co rn ers

Ho n eyc o m b Sa leArea Bo un da ry Ho n eyc o m b PU Ho n eyCo m b Exc lusio n Ho n ey Co m b PA

Private

OWNERCLASSIFICATION

NON-FS

Ro a d R9 OTT m a jo r_ ro a ds

Lakes

WETLAND_TYPE

L a ke NHD Flo wlin e

Appro xim a te PU Ac res 1 -21 2- 28 3- 43 (8+31+4) 4- 19 (8+4+7) 5- 11 (4+4+3)

6 (ROW) - 1

To ta l (1-5) = 122

1:15,840

Ho ughto n Co un ty T48N R37W

Ho n eyc o m b Sa le Bo un da ry

V ic in ity Map No t to Sc a le