C04_12363N26Q4181Attachment1_ForestProductAccountabilityActionPlan.pdf

1 Fremont-Winema National Forest Forest Product Accountability Action Plan

Boundary Designation:

The following requirements are minimum standards for designating Timber Sale Boundaries and Individual Trees for all Zones on the Fremont-Winema National Forest.

There are three ways to designate a boundary: 1) Geo-fence (virtual boundaries), 2) discernible boundaries, and 3) tagged and painted boundaries. It is important that each is understood and used correctly to maximize efficiency and product accountability.

1) Geo-Fence Boundaries

Instructions per WO-240013-C2.30#: For use in all 2400-13 contracts where Geo-Fence boundary designation is used. Regional Forester approval is required. Geo-Fence boundary designation methods should be described in the Integrated Resource Timber Contract Prospectus, general section include a list of Cutting Units with Geo-Fence boundaries, and boundary location hardware and software requirements. 1/ List cutting unit number(s). 2/ Include the paint color (for example orange, pink or white). 3/ List the designation method as Marked, Discernible or Geo-Fence. 4/ For Marked designation method describe how the boundary trees are marked above and below stump height. For Discernible designation method list the discernible feature(s). For Geo-Fence designation method list as “See description below”.

Designation

Method Paint Color

Description

Marked

Orange

Boundary trees are marked with three vertical stripes on three sides of the tree. Two stripes face the direction of adjacent boundary marked trees and extend from ground level to approximately eye level in height.

A shorter stripe faces the area of cutting. Unit numbers are painted on approximately every 5th boundary tree.

Discernible N/A Roads, fences, and other landmarks Geo-Fence N/A See Description below

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5/ List the electronic file name of the digital vector file or shapefile to be provided to the Contractor. 6/ Modified date shown in the file properties for the digital vector file or shapefile shown in 5/. 7/ Allowable distance cutting may occur up to and past Forest Service determined boundary location. Distance listed is the allowable GPS accuracy error. Allowable distances should take into account value of resources at risk, impacts of treatments that may occur outside planned boundaries, impacts of treatments not occurring up to planned boundaries, social/economic factors and level of risk the responsible official is willing to take.

Generally, the fill in tolerance should not exceed 30 feet or be less than 15 Feet. Enter whole numbers only. GPS accuracy errors by receiver type as established by Missoula Technology & Development Center. 8/ List open, light-medium or heavy-closed for manufacturer and receiver type used as shown at https://www.fs.fed.us/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm

9/ List tested accuracy in feet for canopy type shown in meters at https://www.fs.fed.us/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm

Geo-Fence attributes on the Fremont-Winema include:

• Allowable Contract Tolerance = 40 Feet

• Tested Accuracy in Light-Medium Canopy = 20 Feet

Example from the Edge DxP IRTC Stewardship Contract:

https://www.fs.fed.us/database/gps/mtdcrept/accuracy/index.htm https://gcc02.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.fs.fed.us%2Fdatabase%2Fgps%2Fmtdcrept%2Faccuracy%2Findex.htm&data=02%7C01%7C%7Ccf0b9b21043c4022ce4708d724ecffd8%7Ced5b36e701ee4ebc867ee03cfa0d4697%7C0%7C0%7C637018472635013741&sdata=VWOngrJ5zbOSClcCb87%2FJ4NYj2M0m5jNJ0VZbRYbCpw%3D&reserved=0

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2) Discernible Boundaries When posting unit boundaries along roads and or designated openings, boundaries that are discernible may be left unmarked if natural or constructed features are conspicuous enough that they can be identified from the Sale Area Map alone. Also the use of those features would not cause mistakes to be made when harvest occurs. This is found in - FSH 2409.12 R6 Supplement No.: 2409.12-2012-1, Timber Cruising Handbook, section 71.22 Marking Boundaries. Clearly post well established corner trees and one tree in from the corner along the road if it is to be used as a Discernible Boundary.

Pre-sale personnel must identify and document this in the sale preparation folder and clearly describe this method in the Timber Sale Report, Contract and Map. When utilizing roads, subdivision boundaries shall be only located on the subdivision side of the road. A description of specific boundary locations must be documented in the cruise plan and must be capable of duplication.

3) Tagged and Painted Boundaries

Preliminary Flagging for Reconnaissance and Layout:

Flagging is only considered a preliminary guide in the establishment of the unit boundary.

Flagging takes place prior to tagging and painting where hard-painted boundaries are required. Flagging does not establish the official boundary but may be tied to any stationary object to establish a preliminary guide. Best results are obtained by tying ribbons to green tree branches or green tree boles as opposed to dead trees. Strive for flagging to be at eye level from the forest floor and visible from any point along the preliminary boundary.

Subdivision corners will be designated with three strips of flagging tied around the tree or hanging from tree branches (See Exhibit 02). A corner should be designated when a boundary changes direction more than 45 degrees (major turn). Use two strips of flagging on turns not associated with major turns (subdivision corner).

Blue flagging will be used for designating unit boundaries (See Exhibit 01) unless yellow is approved by the District Ranger and Contracting Officer.

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Trees posted with boundary tags and paint will contain:

• One diagonal paint slash near DBH facing into unit and at least two stump marks.

• Two vertical paint marks approximately two feet in length and two inches wide on the sides of the tree in-line with the direction of the boundary. If paint is applied to the tag, wipe the paint off the tag to make it readable.

• Two stump marks applied in the same manner as the individual tree marking. Do not mark rocks (See Exhibits 02 and 03).

• Boundary tags shall be placed on live trees or non-movable objects in line with the flagging at approximately DBH or higher from the forested floor for visibility and face into the unit. Do not place boundary tags on trees or objects that will be hazardous to sale operations or able to be moved.

• All boundary tags shall have the complete sale name and unit number written on them.

Do not abbreviate the sale name. Use a permanent marking pen that will not fade over a period of time.

• Boundary tags should have enough staples to hold them securely in place using a minimum of six staples per tag.

• Boundary tags should be placed so that they are inter-visible and without question be able to determine if a tree is in or out of the official boundary.

• The official boundary is a straight line between tags.

• Cut stumps located outside that straight line is considered the cutting of undesignated timber.

• Corner boundary trees will be designated with a boundary tag placed facing into the unit with the boundary at approximately eye level from the forest floor.

• When not in use, tags are to be kept in a secure location.

When harvest subdivisions from different contract areas share a common boundary, use both sets of tags and paint on the opposite side of the same tree, where possible. The alternate flagging color (yellow) will be used for the adjacent contract area.

When changing unit boundaries, completely remove all tags and flagging from the contract areaand black out the evidence of the previous boundary. Do not place new boundary tags over old-boundary tags. Document any changes to the boundary in the sale preparation folder. Do not re-use any used boundary tags or make corrections on tags. File and store original cruising documents, boundary survey notes, records, and calculationsin a safe secure location for future reference.

Modified Logging Areas

The method of ground delineation for Modified Logging Areas with different harvest methods will be included in the Sale Preparation folder, identified on the Contract Area Map and described in the Special Provisions of the contract.

Individual Tree Designation

All designation of trees will be completed with Forest Service approved tracer paint when designating by marking. Trees shall be marked so that paint on designated trees will be at approximate DBH and can be visible from any side of the tree. Exception to this would be areas identified in a NEPA document that has addressed a specific visual concern. In these

5 Fremont-Winema National Forest situations, sale preparation markers will implement individual tree marking to meet NEPA objectives and to meet Region 6 Individual Tree Marking standards (Exhibit 04).

Two stump marks are required with at least one being on the downhill side of the tree. One stump mark is to be a vertical stripe in a sufficient amount to extend from the duff layer or ground to just above contract minimum stump height. The second stump mark shall be a reasonable spot of paint at the forest floor. Stump mark paint shall be applied into the bark furrows and crevices, on scars, and be on opposing sides when possible (Exhibit 04). Use Forest Service approved tracer paint color scheme for timber sales, FSH-2409-12, 71.21.

The Contracting Officer shall approve any deviations from these standards.

Designation by Prescription (DxP)

Designation by Prescription (DxP) is a method where the Forest Service designates the desired basil area and other criteria such as description of end results, retention of specific trees, species preference, health, vigor and upper and lower end diameters. The contractor chooses the trees to cut and leave based on the factors described in the DxP. The forest almost exclusively utilizes the Designation by Prescription (DxP) provisions as a tool for designating cut and leave trees. Weight scaling in Tons is a requirement when DxP is included in a timber contract. The TIM generated C2.355# DESIGNATION BY PRESCRIPTION (05/2015) provision is used as a template. Additional prescription information is added, including the Van Pelt Guide for mature ponderosa pine trees greater than 150 years.

Within the Technical Proposal for IRTC Contracts, the forest inserts language into the End- Results section requesting that purchasers specifically address how DxP will be implemented.

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The following National tree marking paint colors will be used in timber sales and stewardship contracts and agreements:

Work Item Primary Color Secondary Color Tertiary Color

Cut Trees Blue Yellow Green (for trees added during administration)

Leave and Boundary Trees

Orange

Pink

White

Cancel Prior Work

Black

None

None

Property Lines Red (non-tracer) None None

Red survey paint will not be covered by boundary marking paint or tags.

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BOUNDARY

CUTTING UNIT

TS IRC

Unit No. (circle one)

This sign faces into the unit.

FORM R6 2400-23 (7/2007) GPO 0000-000

Appendix A

Approved R-6 Boundary Tags

The Forest Service in R-6 has three different boundary tags approved for use for the sole purpose of establishing harvest area boundaries. The tags are applicable to both timber sales and stewardship contracts. Older versions of boundary tags have been discontinued and will not be ordered again by R-

6. However, forests may continue using older tags to use up inventories.

Samples of the three approved boundary tags are shown below. All boundary tags are made of Tyveck tear resistant and waterproof paper with water resistant ink. Each tag is a different color and has a different purpose. When ordering the blue tag below refer to the R6 FS-2400-23 form. When completing the blue tag, the timber sale or stewardship name will be entered on the line in the middle of the tag, followed by “TS” for a timber sale, or “IRC” for an Integrated Resource Contract (stewardship contract). The unit number will also be entered in the space provided. Tags below are dark blue Tyveck (tear resistant) paper, black lettering, 7” x 4”. This tag can be used for both ITM and LTM units. In a sale with both marking types, use the boundary cutting tag on one marking type, and the general purpose tag on the other.

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TS IRC

Unit No. (circle one)

This sign faces into the unit.

FORM R6 2400-24 (7/2007) GPO 0000-000

RIPARIAN BUFFER -

NO CUTTING AREA

MEADOW CREEK

Unit No. 6

TS IRC

(circle one)

This sign faces into the unit.

FORM R6 2400-24 (7/2007) GPO 0000-000

The orange tag below is R6-FS-2400-24 for and used as a general purpose tag. A descriptor of the treatment will be entered between the USFS shields, sale or contract name, and unit number. The area between the USFS shields is for the layout person to enter the description of the treatment, i.e., D x D, D x P, Leave trees marked, etc. The tag would be orange Tyveck (tear resistant) paper, black lettering, 7” x 4”.

See the following Sample in the use of the general purpose tag:

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Special Treatment Area

Behind This Sign (refer to Sale Area or Contract Area Map)

TS IRC

Unit No.

FORM R6 2400-25 (02/2012)

(circle one)

The red tag below is the Special Treatment Area tag R6-FS-2400-25 form which R6 made after multiple forests requested another tag for use in the interior of cutting units. The purpose of this tag is to identify Special Treatment Area(s) (STA) within a unit that has a different treatment than the rest of the unit, or additional instructions or restrictions for a specific area. An example of a Special Treatment Area would an equipment exclusion zone inside a riparian area or archaeological site that is to be treated. The RED tag is not for excluding no-treatment areas inside a cutting unit. The RED tag is not be used in place of the blue or orange boundary tags.

Requirements in the use of the tag;

• Trees posted with tags are designated as leave trees. The tags are to be inter-visible and spaced so it is possible to see the location and track of the boundary in either direction when standing anywhere along the boundary.

• Includes application of tracer paint as required in Pacific Northwest Region Timber Product Accountability Action Plan.

• The tag is to face into the cutting unit with the Special Treatment Area BEHIND the sign.

Use map symbol “SPTA” in the Legend and on the Sale Area or Contract Area Map to identify Special Treatment Area(s), along with the number of applicable Special Provision(s). In addition, the following statement is to be included in the Notes on the map…“The <equipment exclusion zone> inside <Unit 15> is posted with RED tags identifying the area as a Special Treatment Area. Refer to provision(s) <CT6.42# and CT6.315#> for more information.” Repeat as needed to identify all types of Special Treatment Areas included in the contract. The “< >” represents fill-ins to be completed that describes the Special Treatment Area. The statement(s) will also go into the General section of the prospectus for a Timber Sale or Integrated Resource Timber Contract, and Appendix B of an Integrated Resource Service Contract.

See the following sample tag.

The tag would be red Tyveck (tear resistant) paper, 7” x 4”, with black lettering, and waterproof ink.

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41 – Exhibit 01

Flagging Ribbon Colors

Activity Color

Timber Sale Boundaries Blue or Yellow

Subdivision Boundaries for Timber Sales Blue or Yellow

Cutting BDY Blue or Yellow

Exclusion (No Cut) Areas Blue or Yellow

Check Cruise White

Cruise Trees/Plots Pink Glo

For Other Activities, See Ribbon Color Designation by Department Policy, Dated 01/2016

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V. DIRECTION FOR BOUNDARY AND TREE DESIGNATION

A. Boundaries

1. Boundary designation methods include tags and paint, paint only, or virtual which includes a discernible or Geo-fence for a real-world geographic area (FSH 2409.12).

2. Follow National tracer paint scheme and marking direction for timber sales and stewardship contracts and agreements in FSH 2409.12, R6 Supplement FSH 2409.12-2012-1, 2409.11, and 2409.11a.

B. Individual Tree Designation

1. Follow directions in FSH 2409.12 for marking cut and leave trees, designation by description, designation by prescription.

C. Stewardship Contracts and Agreements

1. Accountability requirements and standard volume estimators and methods are the same for stewardship contracts as with standard timber sale contracts (FSH 2409.12, 2409.11, and 2409.11a).

2. Trees marked by Partners or their subcontractors are to be consistent with R6 standards and requirements for marking leave trees and boundary trees. Tracer paint is not to be issued to or used by Partners or their subcontractors.