Cruise plan_Wildcat DXP IRSC.docx

Wildcat DxP IRSC

CRUISE PLAN

Prepared by: /s/ Rachel Wirt Date: May 30, 2024

Wildcat DxP IRSC

A. INTRODUCTION

A proposal has been made to harvest approximately 2400 mbf of timber on the Upper Swauk Restoration Project.

The direction of this cruise plan will be to design the cruise to meet Forest Service standards which includes a total sampling error (SE) of 30% at the 95% confidence level for scaled sales and the use of Designation by Prescription (DxP).

This cruise plan will satisfy the FSM 2442.2 requirement to prepare a cruise plan for each timber sale that has a value in excess of $5,000. It will describe the sampling method, sampling frequency, and merchantability specifications.

Timber on the proposed sale includes: Douglas-fir, ponderosa pine, grand fir, western hemlock, and minor amounts of lodgepole pine. Moderate amounts of dead ( Grn. Bio. Conv) grand-fir, douglas-fir and ponderosa pine, were also observed in the cutting units.

B. RECONNAISSANCE CRUISE/PRECRUISE

A pre-cruise was conducted in Mill creek drainage prior to unit layout out. A grid was established across the planning area using a 10 chain x 10 chain grid to establish plot center locations. After unit layout, 55 of the plots fell within 16 of the 18 units laid out for commercial harvest.

Trees selected for removal during the pre-cruise were determined by applying the silvicultural prescriptions (See Attachment A) written to be used for the DxP for the sale. A 24.9” DBH cap for all cut trees, except for Grand-fir has been established for all units. A stump diameter regression was calculated by gathering specific diameter measurements from 35 sample trees within the Project Area. The required diameter measurement were taken at DBH, 1.0’ stump height and 0.4’ stump height and include a mix of species to perform regression analysis and calculate what the average 0.4’ stump height diameter will be that correlates with a 24.9” DBH. The 0.4’ stump diameter is significant in that it has been identified by the Forest Contracting Officer as the height that would be used by sale administration to perform compliance checks on the contractor during harvest and cutting operations.

The 24.9” DBH identified in the DxP prescriptions as the largest DBH allowed for cutting for all species except Grand-fir and Lodgepole pine, resulted in a regression analysis showing that the average 0.4’ stump height diameter for 24.9” DBH tree is 31.3”. Therefore, if the stump diameter is greater than 31.3” at 0.4’ it will be treated as if the DBH is greater than 24.9” and will be required to leave.

The pre-cruise data was utilized to design the following final cruise.

C. SAMPLING METHOD

The proposed sale consists of 521 acres of mixed conifer. The final cruise sampling method will be a Point Count Measure (PCM) containing 4 sample groups, and will encompass 93 plots. This sampling method consists of 1 strata and data will be collected using a 20 BAF and the following frequency per sample group. All plots will be visited, even borderline in/out plots (to determine if plot actually falls in the unit or not. All “in” plots will be established, and all cut tree’s recorded on cards either as Cut or Measure. Measure tree’s will be determined using a random tally sheet (provided by the government) and the following frequency. This cruise includes both saw timber and non-saw timber. Sample groups in all strata will be divided into DF, GF, PP for all sawtimber species and NS for green bio convertible (cv) non-saw products. Mirage plots will need to be thrown when a plot is located along a unit boundary and some of the plot falls outside the unit. Half plots will need to be thrown when a plot falls within 2 prescriptions, where overlap occurs with Riparian Reserve Rx’s and general unit Rx’s.

Trees designated for removal will be determined based on specifications listed in the DxP prescription or will be identified with a band of orange paint at DBH with 2 orange butt marks on the high and low side of the trees. All data will be recorded on cruise cards and then entered into NCSV3.

Plot locations for each unit were generated in ArcPro, and plot center coordinates were downloaded onto GPS units. GPS coordinates combined with unit maps showing plot center locations will be used to establish plot centers in the field.

D. STRATA RECORD

20 BAF

Douglas Fir Species 1 in 8

Grand Fir, Western Hemlock Species 1 in 5

Ponderosa Pine, lodgepole pine 1 in 7

All Species 1 in 6

F. MERCHANTABILITY/CRUISING SPECIFICATIONS

Cruise Number 24301 (YYD## = fiscal year, district number, local sequential numbering).

Form Class:

INGY will be used for Douglas-fir (I12FW2W202) INGY will be used for ponderosa pine (I11FW2W122) INGY will be used for grand fir (I11FW2W017) INGY will be used for lodgepole pine (I12FW2W108)

Form class will be taken on all appropriate cruise trees for the other species.

BTRs are as follows:

western hemlock- - - - - - - .94

Measurement Specifications:

1) Record DBH to the nearest .1”. Always round down.

2) Heights can be recorded either total or merch height.

a. Use total heights whenever possible. It is much faster and more accurate. If merch heights are used, record to the nearest foot.

Grading Defecting:

NOTE: All trees will be graded at the highest possible grade first.

All dead trees with tight bark will be cruised as a sawlog. Dead trees with splitting and/or sloughing bark will be cruised as Grn Bio CV.

Visible Defect:

Deductions for visible defect will be made according to the defect guidelines that are in the TIMBER CRUISER’S FIELD GUIDE TO DISEASE AND INSECT DAMAGES AND DEFECTS OF PACIFIC NORTHWEST CONIFERS (TRAINING ADDITION) by P.F. Hessburg and T.F. Gregg or from the 2015 Tatum Aids.

NOTE: Cruise non-saw log products for gross volume only. No defect deductions will be made for non-saw logs.

Hidden Defect and Breakage:

This will be determined from field reconnaissance while the sale is being cruised by the district cruiser.

G. MONUMENTATION

Cruise plots will be designated with 3 red ribbons triangulated around the plot center. Plot centers will be designated with a wooden stake, and a red ribbon will be tied around the top of the stake, on which will be recorded: the unit number, plot number, cruisers initials, and the date. The trees within each plot which are identified for removal and measured as cruise trees, will be numbered on the tree bole, facing plot center, with blue tracer paint. Each cruise tree will have a red ribbon tied around the bole of the tree at DBH with the Tree number, date, and cruisers initials on it.

H. POSTING

Posting will be done according to the Forest Accountability Plan and the District Posting Standards.

I. HAZARD ANALYSIS

a. Watch out for tripping hazards – steep slopes, loose rocks/logs.

b. Review JHA for tree marking paint.

c. Drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration.

d. Watch out for bees – ground nests and paper nests.

e. Watch for ticks.

E. PLOT LOCATIONS

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