Structure Retention Clause Samples

Structure Retention. DISCUSSION 1.2.1). For monitoring and reporting purposes it is understood that a harvest area is the equivalent of a cutblock with its own unique opening number used for tracking all other forest management commitments. 1.2.1) and to provide guidelines for the required quantification and reporting of the ▇▇▇▇. Structure retention shall consist of area containing non-harvested, representative timber stand types within the harvest area. Where larger harvest areas are created, it is important to also retain individual trees, snags, and residual tree patches distributed across the harvest area. These residual tree patches shall be located such that natural features, riparian areas, wildlife features, stand structure and composition, and proximity to standing forests are considered to maximize their utility or usefulness by the biotic community. At the operational level patches retained for structure retention will assist in meeting other wildlife objectives. Patches will be left to minimize line of site objectives, meeting distance to thermal/hiding cover and providing connectivity with harvest boundaries for travel. These patches may be identified before harvest and removed from the harvest area or implemented operationally using technology such as GPS mapping etc. Stand structure shall not be retained in harvest areas where forest health issues warrant eradication of all affected mature tree species to combat infestations and diseases (i.e. mistletoe).

Structure Retention. PURPOSE DISCUSSION GROUND RULES 4.2.2.1 Retention target of 1% of merchantable timber by volume (within harvest areas) across the FMA and shall be representative of the species composition and timber profile of the original stand. The 1% target will be applied to each forest operator on an annual basis per FMU. 4.2.2.1.1 Operational buffers on shallow open water or semi-permanent ▇▇▇▇▇ will count fully towards retention targets if internal to the harvest opening. 4.2.2.2 A variety of tree sizes may be left for retention as single trees, in clumps (more than 3 trees but less than 0.2 Ha), or as patches within a harvest area. Trees that are crooked and heavily branched will be preferably left; a) Clumps of trees will preferentially be left in areas that have a steep slope, excessive moisture, or natural openings. 4.2.2.3 Where possible, snags will be left in groups of 2 or more and may be incorporated as part of a retention patch. Snag retention will be prioritized as follows: existing snags where worker safety is not compromised; a) trees with evidence of an existing cavity; and b) snags or live trees that exhibit windfirm characteristics. 4.2.2.4 Other considerations in determining when and where structure should be left in block include wildlife zones, proximity to large watercourses or lakes, harvest area size, line of sight issues, distance to hiding cover and probability of remaining standing over time. 4.2.2.5 All structure retention, including snags that are left during active harvest operations shall also be avoided and/or protected throughout all phases of silviculture treatments while considering worker safety. 4.2.2.6 Merchantable trees used for residual structure retention are considered as Allowable Cut Drain. The method used to determine amount of volume retained must be defensible and auditable. a) Amount of merchantable volume retained will be reported by the individual Forest Operators on an annual basis using a TM7 Form;

Structure Retention. B12 FMU STRUCTURE RETENTION DISCUSSION

Structure Retention. GROUND RULES