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SCSGlobalServicesReport
FORESTMANAGEMENTAND
STUMP-TO-FORESTGATECHAIN-OF-CUSTODYSURVEILLANCEEVALUATIONREPORT
StateofMarylandDNR–ForestService
Maryland,USA
SCS-FM/COC-00069P580TaylorAve,E1
Annapolis,MD21401JackPerdue,ForestResourcePlanning,[email protected]
http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/
CERTIFIED EXPIRATION29/April/2014 28/April/2019
DATEOFFIELDAUDIT23-26/April/2018
DATEOFLASTUPDATE22/May/2018
SCSContact:BrendanGrady|Director
ForestManagementCertification+1.510.452.8000
2000PowellStreet,Ste.600,Emeryville,CA94608USA
+1.510.452.8000main|+1.510.452.8001faxwww.SCSglobalServices.com
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ForewordCycleinannualsurveillanceaudits
1stannualaudit
2ndannualaudit
3rdannualaudit
4thannualaudit
Other(expansionofscope,MajorCARaudit,specialaudit,etc.):
NameofForestManagementEnterprise(FME)andabbreviationusedinthisreport:
StateofMarylandDNR–ForestService(MDDNR,DNR)
AllcertificatesissuedbySCSundertheaegisoftheForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)requireannualauditstoascertainongoingconformancewiththerequirementsandstandardsofcertification.ApublicsummaryoftheinitialevaluationisavailableontheFSCCertificateDatabasehttp://info.fsc.org/.
PursuanttoFSCandSCSguidelines,annual/surveillanceauditsarenotintendedtocomprehensivelyexaminethefullscopeofthecertifiedforestoperations,asthecostofafull-scopeauditwouldbeprohibitiveanditisnotmandatedbyFSCauditprotocols.Rather,annualauditsarecomprisedofthreemaincomponents:
§ AfocusedassessmentofthestatusofanyoutstandingconditionsorCorrectiveActionRequests(CARs;seediscussioninsection4.0forthoseCARsandtheirdispositionasaresultofthisannualaudit);
§ Follow-upinquiryintoanyissuesthatmayhavearisensincetheawardofcertificationorpriortothisaudit;and
§ Asnecessarygiventhebreadthofcoverageassociatedwiththefirsttwocomponents,anadditionalfocusonselectedtopicsorissues,theselectionofwhichisnotknowntothecertificateholderpriortotheaudit.
OrganizationoftheReport
Thisreportoftheresultsofourevaluationisdividedintotwosections.SectionAprovidesthepublicsummaryandbackgroundinformationthatisrequiredbytheForestStewardshipCouncil.Thissectionismadeavailabletothepublicandisintendedtoprovideanoverviewoftheevaluationprocess,themanagementprogramsandpoliciesappliedtotheforest,andtheresultsoftheevaluation.SectionAwillbepostedontheFSCCertificateDatabase(http://info.fsc.org/)nolessthan90daysaftercompletionoftheon-siteaudit.SectionBcontainsmoredetailedresultsandinformationfortheusebytheFME.
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TableofContentsSECTIONA–PUBLICSUMMARY..................................................................................................................4
1.GENERALINFORMATION.........................................................................................................................41.1AnnualAuditTeam............................................................................................................................4
1.2TotalTimeSpentonEvaluation.........................................................................................................5
1.3StandardsEmployed..........................................................................................................................5
2ANNUALAUDITDATESANDACTIVITIES...................................................................................................52.1AnnualAuditItineraryandActivities.................................................................................................5
2.2EvaluationofManagementSystems.................................................................................................8
3.CHANGESINMANAGEMENTPRACTICES.................................................................................................8
4.RESULTSOFTHEEVALUATION.................................................................................................................94.1ExistingCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations.....................................................................9
4.2NewCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations........................................................................12
5.STAKEHOLDERCOMMENTS...................................................................................................................145.1StakeholderGroupsConsulted........................................................................................................14
5.2SummaryofStakeholderCommentsandResponsesfromtheTeam,WhereApplicable...............15
6.CERTIFICATIONDECISION......................................................................................................................15
7.CHANGESINCERTIFICATIONSCOPE......................................................................................................15
8.ANNUALDATAUPDATE.........................................................................................................................198.1SocialInformation............................................................................................................................19
8.2AnnualSummaryofPesticideandOtherChemicalUse..................................................................19
SECTIONB–APPENDICES(CONFIDENTIAL)...............................................................................................20Appendix1–ListofFMUsSelectedForEvaluation...............................................................................20
Appendix2–ListofStakeholdersConsulted.........................................................................................20
Appendix3–AdditionalAuditTechniquesEmployed...........................................................................22
Appendix4–PesticideDerogations......................................................................................................22
Appendix5–DetailedObservations.....................................................................................................22
Appendix6–ChainofCustodyIndicatorsforFMEs..............................................................................51
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SECTIONA–PUBLICSUMMARY
1.GeneralInformation
1.1AnnualAuditTeamAuditorName: BethJacqmain Auditorrole: FSCLeadAuditorQualifications: BethJacqmainisaCertificationForesterwithSCSGlobalServices.MSForest
Biology/EcologyfromAuburnUniversityandBSForestManagementfromMichiganStateUniversity.Bethhas20+years’experienceintheforestryfieldincludingpubliclandmanagement,privateconsulting,andprivatecorporate.QualifiedANSIRABaccreditedISO14001EMSLeadAuditorandaqualifiedFSCLeadAuditorforForestManagement/ChainofCustody.AuditedandledFSCcertificationandprecertificationevaluations,harvestandloggingoperationscertificationevaluations,andhasparticipatedinjointPEFCandAmericanTreeFarmcertifications.A9-yearmemberoftheForestGuild,20yearadjunct-FacultywithItascaCommunityCollege,NaturalResourcesDepartment.Jacqmain’sexperienceisinforestmanagementandecology;ecosystemsilviculture;theuseofsilviculturetowardsmeetingstrategicandtacticalgoals;treeregeneration;foresttimberqualityimprovement,coniferthinningoperations,pinerestoration,andfireecologyinconiferdominatedsystems.BethhasexperienceinforestecologyandmanagementintheMidwest,PacificNorthwest,andthesoutheasternUS(oakecologyinlongleafpine-wiregrasssystems).
AuditorName: MikeFerrucci Auditorrole: SFILeadAuditorQualifications: MikeFerrucciisqualifiedasaRAB-QSALeadAuditor(ISO14001Environmental
ManagementSystems),asanSFILeadAuditorforForestManagement,Procurement,andChainofCustody,asanFSCLeadAuditorForestManagementandChainofCustody,asaTreeFarmGroupCertificationLeadAuditor,andasaGHGLeadAuditor.MikehasledSustainableForestInitiative(SFI)certificationandprecertificationreviewsthroughouttheUnitedStates.HehasalsoledorparticipatedinjointSFIandForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)certificationprojectsinnearlyonedozenstatesandajointscopingorprecertificationgap-analysisprojectontriballandsthroughouttheUnitedStates.Healsoco-ledthepioneeringpilotdualevaluationoftheLakeviewStewardshipUnitontheFremont-WinemaNationalForest.For12yearsMikewastheSFIProgramManagerforNSF–InternationalStrategicRegistrationsresponsibleforallaspectsofthefirm’sSFICertificationprograms.InthatroleMikedevelopedandmanagedoneofthelargestforestandchainofcustodycertificationprogramsintheU.S.MikehasconductedChainofCustodyauditsforallsegmentsoftheforestproductsindustry,includingprinters,corrugatedandboxproducers,integratedpapercompanies,paperdistributors,solidwoodmills,engineeredwoodproductsfacilities,brokers,anddistributors.Inauditswithpulpmills,corrugatedproducers,andboxplantsMikehasaddressedtheissuesinvolvingrecycledcontent.MikehasalsoconductedorparticipatedinassessmentsofforestmanagementoperationsthroughouttheUnitedStates,withfieldexperiencein4countriesand33states.MikeFerruccihas37yearsofforestmanagementexperience.Hisexpertiseisin
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sustainableforestmanagementplanning;incertificationofforestsassustainablymanaged;intheapplicationofeasementsforlarge-scaleworkingforests,andintheecology,silviculture,andmanagementofmixedspeciesforests,withanemphasisonregenerationandmanagementofnativehardwoodspecies.MikehasconductedorparticipatedinassessmentsofforestmanagementoperationsthroughouttheUnitedStates,withfieldexperiencein4countriesand34states.MikehasbeenamemberoftheSocietyofAmericanForestersforoverfortyyears.HeisPastChairoftheSFIAuditor’sForum.MikeisalsoaLecturerattheYaleSchoolofForestryandEnvironmentalStudies,wherehehastaughtgraduatecoursesandworkshopsinforestmanagement,harvestingoperations,professionalforestethics,privateforestry,andfinancialanalysis.
1.2TotalTimeSpentonEvaluationA. Numberofdaysspenton-siteassessingtheapplicant: 3B. Numberofauditorsparticipatinginon-siteevaluation: 2C. Additionaldaysspentonpreparation,stakeholderconsultation,andpost-sitefollow-up: 2D. Totalnumberofpersondaysusedinevaluation: 8
1.3StandardsEmployed
1.3.1.ApplicableFSC-AccreditedStandards
TitleForestStewardshipStandardFSCUSFM(2010)FSCTrademarkStandard(FSC-STD-50-001V1-2)
AllstandardsemployedareavailableonthewebsitesofFSCInternational(www.fsc.org),theFSC-US(www.fscus.org)ortheSCSStandardspage(www.scsglobalservices.com/certification-standards-and-program-documents).Standardsarealsoavailable,uponrequest,fromSCSGlobalServices(www.SCSglobalServices.com).
1.3.2.SCSInterimFSCStandards
TitleSCSCOCindicatorsforFMEs,V6-0
ThisSCSInterimStandardwasdevelopedbymodifyingSCS’GenericInterimStandardtoreflectforestmanagementintheregionandbyincorporatingrelevantcomponentsoftheDraftRegional/NationalStandardandcommentsfromstakeholders.Morethanonemonthpriortothestartofthefieldevaluation,theSCSDraftInterimStandardforthecountry/regionwassentoutforcommenttostakeholdersidentifiedbyFSCInternational,SCS,theforestmanagersunderevaluation,andtheNationalInitiative.Acopyofthestandardisavailableatwww.scsglobalservices.com/certification-standards-and-program-documentsoruponrequestfromSCSGlobalServices(www.SCSglobalServices.com).
2AnnualAuditDatesandActivities
2.1AnnualAuditItineraryandActivitiesSummary:Theauditteamvisited32fieldsites,including:
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20completedorongoingtimberharvestsites,someofwhichincludedmultipletreatmentunitsthatwerereviewed;4recreationsites/trails(plusnumerousotherrecreationsitesobservedduringtravel);4siteswhereroadsand/orbridgeswerereviewedontheground,andseveralmilesofroadsthatwereassessedwhiledrivingbetweensiteswheretheteamstopped;1sitewhereasilviculturaltreatmentotherthanaharvest(herbicideassite-preparation)wasapplied;and3specialsitesofhistoricorecologicalsignificance.Afurtherdescriptionoftheauditevidenceisprovidedbelow,organizedbyStateForestandsitevisited.
April24-Tuesday:Potomac-GarretStateForest(PGSF)Location(AWP-codification) FY Notes
ManagedAc
HarvestAc
(PG-2015-S-01)EagleRock–Comp16-21&Comp23
2015 Tributarythroughcenterofarea,27acre,SMZis50'buffer+4'every1%grade,noequipment/nocut,inplantationsetting.Somedamagetoresidualtrees.ReceivedcopyofMDDNRFSRuttingGuidelines(2013). 27 26
PG-2016-S-05Wallman–Comp26-5
2016 Shelterwood,markedtreestocut.Someleft-overtreesthathadbeenmarkedforcut,DNRstaffaddressedwithloggerandtheissuewasmarketrelated.AcceptablewithinDNRsystemandinconformancewithFSCrequirements.
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PG-2016-S-04Wallman–Comp25-30
2016 ShelterwoodinESA.MostESAsareset-asides.ThisonesetupduetoGoshawkpresenceabout10yearsago(uncommonforMaryland).Metwheritagebiologistwhooverseesraptorprogram.HeritagedesignatedascriticalhabitatforGoshawkinsouthernrange.Forestmanagersrecommendingtreatingmid-storytoopenforGoshawkflight.DepartmentsofWildlifeandHeritagestaffhelpedinlayoutandmarkingoftreesforharvest.Understorythinningfrombelow.
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PG-2019-S-06-Snaggy-Comp33-6
2019 Thinnedin2012,lotsoftravelinareabyforestersforotheractivities.Overwinterindevelopingnextyearannualworkplan,tagthosethinnedw/inlast5years.Activityscheduledtomonitorforoakregen.Typically,willreleaseoakregenwhennoted.
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PG-2018-S-07-Snaggy-Comp41-8
2018 Hack&spray,18-acretreatmenttoremoveundesiredstemsandencourageregeneration. 33 20
PG-2018-S-05-Snaggy-Comp39-12
2018 Siteassessedashavingverygoodregeneration.Overstoryremovalbeingplannedtoreleaseabundantregeneration(SILVAH). 16 13
April25-Wednesday:SavageRiverStateForest(SRSF)StJohnsRockIRVTrail,ParkingLot,andCampground
Openedlastyear,thisnewORVtrailsystemhasbeencarefully-designedandbuilttobalancesiteprotection,durability,easeofmaintenance,anddesireduserexperience.
BraddickRoadHistoricTrail
Thispre-revolutionarywarhistorictrailisprotectedandinterpreted.
(SR-2017-S-6)Comp1Stands40/42
2017 Completedhardwoodthinninginawell-stockedNorthernHardwood-Oakstandlackingadvancedregeneration.Confirmedhigh-qualitytimberharvestonasloping,rockysite.Residualstandhasverylittleloggingdamage.Slashandwaterbarshavestabilizedskidroads.Aregenerationreviewin4-5yearsmayallowforesterstochangenextplannedentryifexpected(butnotrequired)sugarmapleregenerationoccurs.
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ForestAccessRoad Class3,Status2
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(SR-2017-S-9)Comp11Stand1
2017 Completedshelterwoodestablishmentharvestfollowingherbicidetreatmentofwoodyvegetationfrom0.5to4inchesdbhandselectedpatchesofinterferingsedge/grass/fernlayer.Thewaterbarswereadequatebutcouldhavebeenbetter-constructed;despitemanyweeksofabnormally-wetweathertheroadhasnotwashedout.Twocrossingsofsmallwetswaleswerechallengingbutstable,withminimalamountsofsiltvisibleinthewater.
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(SR-2018-S-1)Comp11Stand21
2018 Completedthinning21 21
(SR-2016-S-21)MargroffPlace–Comp14Stand36
2016 Completedthinningofanoverstocked65-year-oldNorwayspruceplantation.Spruceseedlings,mostarelessthan2feettall,werenotedbutarenotyetfactoredintosilviculturaldecisionsbecausetheforesthasn'tdevelopedapolicytopromotethem,althoughtheyaretolerated.
13 13
(SR-2016-S-22)MargroffPlace–Comp14Stand52
2016 Completedthinningofanoverstockedmixedconifer-hardwoodstanddominatedbyNorwaySpruce,redoakandblackcherry.Themountainbiketrailwasclosedduringtheharvest.Thetrailisnowopen,andbikershaveincorporatedsomeoftheavailableloggingslashintothetrailexperience(forramps/jumps).
5 5
(SR-2017-S-4)Comp13Stand7
2017 Completedoverstoryremovalwithvariableretentionof4-8treesperacreselectedmostlyforwildlifehabitat.Existingswitchbackskidroadshavebeenstabilizedusingslash,waterbarred,andseeding.Spuraccessroadgraveledandinverygoodcondition,withfunctioningdrainageprovisions
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(SR-2017-S-4)Comp13Stand13
2017 Completedshelterwoodestablishmentharvestfollowingherbicidetreatmentofwoodyvegetationfrom0.5to4inchesdbhandselectedpatchesofinterferingsedge/grass/fernlayer. 8
HamboneMountainTrail
$30,000recreationaltrailgrant(thisisasnowmobiletrailthatalsoservesasaforestaccessroadformanagementandharvesting)andpreviousadditionsofgravelwerereviewed.Trail/roadisinexcellentcondition
MarkedharvestadjacenttotheHamboneMountainTrail
Marked,uncutclearcutwithoakretention.
(SR-2017-S-10)Comp72Stand5
2017 CompletedthinningalongNewGermanyRoad.Culvertsdrainingstateroadplacesufficientwaterthattheplannedbufferswereenlarged,basedonguidancefromMarylandDepartmentofEnvironment.Loggingpracticesprotectedthissensitivesiteandtheresidualstandoccupyingit.
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(SR-2017-S-11)Comp72Stand10
2017 CompletedthinningalongNewGermanyRoad.Culvertsdrainingstateroadplacesufficientwaterthattheplannedbufferswereenlarged,basedonguidancefromMarylandDepartmentofEnvironment.Siteoftemporarybridge(nowremoved)indicatesthatthebridgeprotectedtheintermittentdrainageincludingbankswithoutanyimpactstowaterquality.
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April26-Thursday:GreenRidgeStateForest(GRSF)
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OldtownOrleansRoad(GR-2017-S-)GR-03-17
2017 Mixedoaktype.Completedvariableretentionharvestmarkedtokeepco-dominantsfavoringqualitywhiteoaks,target20sq.feet/acrebasalarea.Lastthinningdonein1990s.Discussion-Marketsincludepulp,logs,bridgeties,domesticfirewood(non-commercialbypermitonly).SMZsalongedgeswereinspected.SMZsreservedfollowingBMPs.Resultinbothclusteredanddispersedretention.Note:ginsengharvestshavebeenbannedinallSF.
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HowardRoad(GR-2015-S)
2015 Retentiondispersedandclumped.SMZsalongcreeksalongbothedgesofharvestarea.Retainedco-dominantWOthroughoutstand.Removedmostoverstory.
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AdjacentGR-07-16,HowardRoad(GR-2015-S)(unscheduled)
Thinningdone3-4yearsagoat44yearsold.Mixedoakmarkedtokeep.
MertensAve(GR-2016-S-)
2016 RecentlycompletedVRT,retaininglargeco-dominantsfavoringqualitywhiteoak.SMZsinspected. 73 46
PotomacBendsWildlands,Mertens/OutdoorClubRoad.HCVF(unscheduled)
ESA(HCVF)
ESAforrattlesnakeandshalebarrens.
OldtownOrleansRoad(GR-2017-S-)
2017 Mixedoakandsomepine.Markednotyetcut.VRTretainingmarkedcodominantsofmixed-oak.HCVF/SMZs 66 27
Oldtown/Orleans(GR-2015-S-)
2015 120-year-oldmixedoakstand.CompletedVRTretainingmarkedwhiteandscarletoak. 34 16
2.2EvaluationofManagementSystems
SCSdeploysinterdisciplinaryteamswithexpertiseinforestry,socialsciences,naturalresourceeconomics,andotherrelevantfieldstoassessanFME’sconformancetoFSCstandardsandpolicies.Evaluationmethodsincludedocumentandrecordreview,implementingsamplingstrategiestovisitabroadnumberofforestcoverandharvestprescriptiontypes,observationofimplementationofmanagementplansandpoliciesinthefield,andstakeholderanalysis.Whenthereismorethanoneteammember,teammembersmayreviewpartsofthestandardsbasedontheirbackgroundandexpertise.Onthefinaldayofanevaluation,teammembersconvenetodeliberatethefindingsoftheassessmentjointly.Thisinvolvesananalysisofallrelevantfieldobservations,stakeholdercomments,andrevieweddocumentsandrecords.Whereconsensusbetweenteammemberscannotbeachievedduetolackofevidence,conflictingevidenceordifferencesofinterpretationofthestandards,theteamisinstructedtoreporttheseinthecertificationdecisionsectionand/orinobservations.
3.ChangesinManagementPractices
Therewerenosignificantchangesinthemanagementand/orharvestingmethodsthataffecttheFME’sconformancetotheFSCstandardsandpolicies.
SignificantchangesoccurredsincethelastevaluationthatmayaffecttheFME’sconformancetoFSCstandardsandpolicies(describe):
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4.ResultsoftheEvaluation
4.1ExistingCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservationsFindingNumber:2017.1
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):
FSCIndicator: FSC-US7.1.b,7.1.c.,and7.1.dNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):ContinuationofOBS2016.1,2016.3,and2016.4.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,theSustainableForestManagementPlans(SFMPs)fortheWesternRegionarecurrentlybeingrevisedforseveralreasons,includingupdatingtheinformationaboutthehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthelandscapeanddesiredfutureconditionsforthesespecies.SomeoptionsforconifermanagementarebeingexercisedasdescribedinAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs),asinthecaseoftheNortherngoshawk.TheSFMPsdescribethehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).However,thehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthemanagementplancouldbeexpandedtoincludetheknowledgepresentedbylocalforestrystaffin2016,whichcouldhelpsetthestageforconiferobjectivesonthelandscape.FMEisconsideringexpandingtheuseofnative(e.g.,Easternwhitepine,Easternhemlock,Virginiapine,Shortleafpine,etc.)andnon-nativeconifers(e.g.,NorwayspruceandRedpine)oncertainsitesasawildlifemanagementcomponent,torestorenativespecies(bothconiferandbroadleaf),andpossiblytoadapttoclimatechangeandinvasivepests/pathogens.Atthelandscapelevel,FMEhascompletedapartialassessmentoftheconifercoverasdescribedinitsresponsetoOBS2016.1,butawaytocomparethecounty-levelinformationfromtheearly1900stotodayisincomplete.InformationoncurrentconifercoveronWesternStateForestsiscomplete.Atthelandscapelevel,thedesiredfutureconditionofthenativeandnon-nativeconifercomponent,includingselectionofspeciesthatwillmeetsocial,economic,andecologicalobjectivesdependingonsiteconditions,hasnotbeenfullycompleted.FMEstaffpointedoutthatmaintenanceofcurrentconditionsmaybedesirableinmanyinstances.However,opportunitiestoexploreconnectivitybetweenconifercovertypesforwildlifemovement,hydrologyorotherobjectivescouldbeexplored.
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CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshoulddescribehistoricalecologicalconditions,historyoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).TheFMEshoulddescribea)currentconditionsofthetimberandnon-timberforestresourcesbeingmanaged;b)desiredfutureconditions;c)historicalecologicalconditions;andd)applicablemanagementobjectivesandactivitiestomovetheFMUtowarddesiredfutureconditionsFMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
Documents:• FSCCorrectiveActionPlan2017• EvergreenForestAnalysisofGarrettandAlleganyCounty,sections
MethodologyandEvaluationActions:Ananalysiswascompletedof“theroleofconifersinthenaturalhistory,historiccomposition,andecology”ofWesternMarylandforests.ThisworkwasincludedintheupdatesSustainableForestManagementPlans(SFMPs)forGreenRidge(AppendixK),SavageRiver(AppendixJ)andPotomacGarrettStateForest(AppendixJ).FMEusedESRIsoftwareandhigh-resolutionsatelliteimagery,toconductanevaluationofthecurrentconifercover.Withthisnowavailable,FMEoverlaidmapsofthehistoricconifercoverasdescribedandmappedbyFredBesley,Maryland’sfirststateforester,fromhisinventory,bookandmapsentitled“TheForestsofMaryland”aroundtheearly1900.
SCSreview SFMPswereconfirmedtocontainthedescribedinformation.ESRImappingwasexaminedintheGRSFoffice.Detailedwrittenevaluationwasprovided.Reviewsofprovideddocumentsandinterviewswithstaffconfirmthatinformationaboutconiferdistributions/abundancewasderivedandincorporatedintomanagementplanningandstaffforestertraining.SeveralESA/HCVFsitesadjacenttoharvestareaswereobservedduringtheauditandconfirmedtobeappropriatelyprotectedfromdisturbance.Forexample,seesitenotes-PotomacBendsWildlands,Mertens/OutdoorClubRoad.HCVF(unscheduledstop).ActionstakenbytheFMEandconformanceconfirmedduringsiteinspectionswarrantclosureofthisObservation.
StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
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FindingNumber:2017.2
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):
FSCIndicator: FSC-US7.1.e.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):UpgradeofOBS2016.4.In2016,theFY2017AnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)werestillunderdraftandthustheissuewithincompleteAWPswasnotanonconformity.Whilemanyofthesensitiveresourcesinquestionmaybemaintainedunderpassivemanagement,theAWPsarebeingimplementedwithoutsufficientreviewfromNaturalHeritagestaff.Notonlyisreviewofoptionsforconservationand/ormaintenanceofRTEspeciesandcommunitiesanintegralpartoftheFME’sprocedures,italsoissomethingthatstakeholdersexpectfromFSC-certifiedentitiestoconformtoindicator7.1.e.TheAWPsareacomponentofthemanagementplan.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,ofconcernisthesensitivenatureofsomeofthenaturalheritageinformation.Asisthecaseinmoststates,confidentialinformationmaybeexcludedfrompubliclyavailabledocumentsinordertoprotecttheresource.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshallincludeadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlineactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:
• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandnaturalcommunities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityandwildlifehabitats(seeCriterion6.3);• waterresources(seeCriterion6.5);• soilresources(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.
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FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
Documents:• GreenRidge,SavageRiver,andPotomacGarrettStateForestsSustainable
ForestManagementPlanrevised2018,chapter7• FSCCorrectiveActionPlan2017• SustainableForestManagementPlansforStateForestsActions:FromtheFSCCorrectiveActionPlan2017:Thedesignation“EcologicallySignificantArea”isusedtoidentifyuniquesitesthathavespecialecologicalsignificance.Theseareashavebeenspecificallydelineatedandmustbegivencarefulmanagementconsideration.ESAsareareasthatharbororcouldpotentiallyharborrare,threatenedorendangered(RTE)speciesand/oruniquenaturalcommunitytypes.TheseareasarealsodesignatedasHighConservationValueForest(HCVF).Rarethreatenedorendangeredspeciesand/oruniquenaturalcommunitytypesfallundertwocategoriesofourHCVFdefinition,theyare:(HCV1)Forestareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificantconcentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.endangeredspecies)and(HCV3)Forestareasthatarein/orcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystems.WhileinGarrettandAlleganycounties,EcologicallySignificantAreasaregenerallyhabitatreservesandprotectedfromforestharvestactivity,somehavebeenidentifiedasareasthatwillrequiresilviculturetoenhancetheiruniquecharacter.ArecentexampleistheprescriptiveworkdoneonPotomacGarrettStateForest(PGSF)toenhanceconifercovertoserveasperspectivegoshawknestingareas.Wehavediscussedthisworkonpreviousauditsandwillseethefinishedworkaspartofthe2018audit.
SCSreview Referenceddocumentswerereviewedandconfirmedtocontaintheinformationasdescribed.Implementationwasobservedduringthe2018PGSFaudit,seesitenotesforPG-2016-S-04Wallman–Comp25-30,Goshawkmanagementsite.EvidenceofNaturalHeritagecollaborationintheassessmentandprescriptiondevelopmentwasprovidedforthissitemanagedformid-storytreeremovalperGoshawkhabitatpreferences.Evidenceforcollaborationwithotherdivisionswasincludedinprescriptiondocuments.InterviewswithForestersconfirmknowledge,training,andunderstandingofrequiredconservationandprotectionreviews.ActionstakenbytheFMEwarrantclosureofthisCAR.
StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
4.2NewCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations
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FindingNumber:2018.1
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):
FSCIndicator: 7.2.aNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):ManagementPlanshavesomeincidentalinformationthatisoutofdate.Forexample,theSRSFManagementPlanincludesthestatement,"SRSFhasbeenconductinganextensiveforestinventoryprojectforpast5years,”whentheprojecthadbeencompleted.Severalincidental,non-criticalstatementsshouldbecleanedupintheupdated/revisedforestmanagementplans.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):Themanagementplaniskeptuptodate.Itisreviewedonanongoingbasisandisupdatedwhenevernecessarytoincorporatetheresultsofmonitoringornewscientificandtechnicalinformation,aswellastorespondtochangingenvironmental,socialandeconomiccircumstances.Ataminimum,afullrevisionoccursevery10years.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
SCSreview StatusofCAR: Closed
UpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
FindingNumber:2018.2
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):
FSCIndicator: FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.15Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):ThecurrenttimbersalecontracttemplateandassociatedAddendausedbyMDDNRdonotusetheappropriatetrademarksymbol.DocumentIDisDNR/FS-352,Rev.ppc:12/16.
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CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheuseoftheFSC“checkmark-and-tree”logoisdirectlyaccompaniedbytheappropriatetrademarksymbols®or™(insuperscriptfont).Theappropriatesymbolalsoaccompaniesthefirstuseof“FSC”and“ForestStewardshipCouncil”inanytext.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
FMEsubmittedeighttimbersaledocumentsandtemplatescreatedwithFSClabeling.FMEupdateddocumentsandsubmittedeachforapproval.ApprovalwasgrantedviaSCSreview.FMEprovidedscreencaptureofthosesubmittalson11June2018.
SCSreview SCSreviewedsubmittedevidence,confirmedappropriatecorrectionsweremadetobeinconformance,andconfirmedwithSCSlogouseapprovalsinternally.CARclosed11June2018.
StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
5.StakeholderComments
InaccordancewithSCSprotocols,consultationwithkeystakeholdersisanintegralcomponentoftheevaluationprocess.Stakeholderconsultationtakesplacepriorto,concurrentwith,andfollowingfieldevaluations.Distinctpurposesofsuchconsultationinclude:
§ TosolicitinputfromaffectedpartiesastothestrengthsandweaknessesoftheFME’smanagement,relativetothestandard,andthenatureoftheinteractionbetweenthecompanyandthesurroundingcommunities.
§ Tosolicitinputonwhethertheforestmanagementoperationhasconsultedwithstakeholdersregardingidentifyinganyhighconservationvalueforests(HCVFs).
Principalstakeholdergroupsareidentifiedbaseduponresultsfrompastevaluations,listsofstakeholdersfromtheFMEunderevaluation,andadditionalstakeholdercontactsfromothersources(e.g.,chairoftheregionalFSCworkinggroup).Thefollowingtypesofgroupsandindividualsweredeterminedtobeprincipalstakeholdersinthisevaluation:
5.1StakeholderGroupsConsultedNone
StakeholderconsultationactivitiesareorganizedtogiveparticipantstheopportunitytoprovidecommentsaccordingtogeneralcategoriesofinterestbasedonthethreeFSCchambers,aswellastheSCSInterimStandard,ifonewasused.Thetablebelowsummarizesthemajorcommentsreceivedfromstakeholdersandtheassessmentteam’sresponse.Whereastakeholdercommenthastriggeredasubsequentinvestigationduringtheevaluation,thecorrespondingfollow-upactionandconclusionsfromSCSarenotedbelow.
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5.2SummaryofStakeholderCommentsandResponsesfromtheTeam,WhereApplicable
FMEhasnotreceivedanystakeholdercommentsfrominterestedpartiesasaresultofstakeholderoutreachactivitiesduringthisannualaudit.Stakeholdercomments SCSResponseEconomicconcerns Socialconcerns Environmentalconcerns
6.CertificationDecisionThecertificateholderhasdemonstratedcontinuedoverallconformancetotheapplicableForestStewardshipCouncilstandards.TheSCSannualauditteamrecommendsthatthecertificatebesustained,subjecttosubsequentannualauditsandtheFME’sresponsetoanyopenCARs.
Yes No
Comments:• MarylandDNR’sWesternRegionprovidedanumberofexamplesofexcellenceinretainingstand-
levelwildlifehabitatelementssuchassnags,stumps,masttrees,downwoodydebris,dentreesandnesttrees.Snag,denandotherdefinedwildlifetreesweremarkedforretentionwithinstandsandallSMZsobservedweresufficienttoretainthesestandlevelelements.
• TheDNRforestrystaffdemonstratedstrongcollaborativeapproachestodesigningforeststandprescriptionsbetweenandamongStateForestTechniciansandForesterstotakefulladvantageofthebroadrangeofeducationandexperienceavailable.
7.ChangesinCertificationScope
Anychangesinthescopeofthecertificationsincethepreviousauditarehighlightedinyellowinthetablesbelow.
NameandContactInformation
Organizationname StateofMarylandDNR–ForestServiceContactperson JackPerdueAddress 580TaylorAve,E1
Annapolis,MD21401Telephone 410-260-8505Fax 410-260-8595e-mail [email protected] dnr.maryland.gov/forests
FSCSalesInformation
FSCSalescontactinformationsameasabove.FSCsalesperson
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Address Telephone Fax e-mail Website
ScopeofCertificate
CertificateTypeSingleFMU MultipleFMU
GroupNumberofFMUsinscopeofcertificate 1Geographiclocationofnon-SLIMFFMU(s) Latitude&Longitude:
SavageRiverStateForest-39.576,-79.129GreenRidgeStateForest-39.631,-78.475PotomacStateForest-39.472,-79.439GarrettStateForest-39.341,-79.28PocomokeStateForest-38.15,-75.487ChesapeakeForestLands-38.329,-75.799
Forestzone Boreal Temperate
Subtropical Tropical
Totalforestareainscopeofcertificatewhichis:Units: haor acprivatelymanaged statemanaged 211,044communitymanaged
NumberofFMUsinscopethatare:lessthan100hainarea 100-1000hainarea 1000-10000hainarea
morethan10000hainarea 1
TotalforestareainscopeofcertificatewhichisincludedinFMUsthat:Units: haor acarelessthan100hainarea -arebetween100haand1000hainarea -meettheeligibilitycriteriaaslowintensitySLIMFFMUs
-
DivisionofFMUsintomanageableunits:FMEconsiderstwoforestregionsbasedonregionalforesttypes:EasternandWesternRegions.FMEthendividesthestateforestsystemintofourgeographicdistricts.Undereachgeographicdistricttherearestateforests,whicharethenmanagedaccordingtoastateforest-levellong-termmanagementplanandannualworkplan.AfulldescriptionofhowtheFMUisdividedintomanageableunitsisavailablepubliclyviatheFME’swebsite:http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/.
ProductionForests
TimberForestProductsUnits: haor ac
Totalareaofproductionforest(i.e.forestfromwhichtimbermaybeharvested)
135,101
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FSCProductClassification
Areaofproductionforestclassifiedas'plantation' Areaofproductionforestregeneratedprimarilybyreplantingorbyacombinationofreplantingandcoppicingoftheplantedstems
Areaofproductionforestregeneratedprimarilybynaturalregeneration,orbyacombinationofnaturalregenerationandcoppicingofthenaturallyregeneratedstems
2.4mmbfundervolregulation,plus780acunderarearegulation
Silviculturalsystem(s) Areaundertypeofmanagement
Even-agedmanagement NochangesClearcut(clearcutsizerange
) Shelterwood Other:
Uneven-agedmanagement NochangesIndividualtreeselection Groupselection Other:
Other(e.g.nursery,recreationarea,windbreak,bamboo,silvo-pastoralsystem,agro-forestrysystem,etc.)
Thesustainablerateofharvest(usuallyAnnualAllowableHarvestorAAHwhereavailable)ofcommercialtimber(m3ofroundwood)
2.4mmbfundervolregulation,plus780acunderarearegulation
Non-timberForestProducts(NTFPs)AreaofforestprotectedfromcommercialharvestingoftimberandmanagedprimarilyfortheproductionofNTFPsorservices
-
OtherareasmanagedforNTFPsorservices -Approximateannualcommercialproductionofnon-timberforestproductsincludedinthescopeofthecertificate,byproducttype
-
ExplanationoftheassumptionsandreferencetothedatasourceuponwhichAAHandNTFPharvestratesestimatesarebased:SeeSFMPChapter5,AppendixHandCFISummaryforeachStateForest.MDDNRusesRemsoft’sWoodstockprogramtoanalyzeforestinventorydatatoprojectsustainableharvestlevelsbasedonallowedsilviculturalsystems.Harvestratesarebasedonareacontrolratherthanvolumecontrolcurrently.Forexample,theGreenRidgeSFMPincludesadescriptionofthemaximumnumberofacresthatmaybetreatedwithvariableretentionharvests.AppendixHincludesadescriptionoftheassumptionsbehindthegrowthandyieldmodeling,includingtheelementsoftheindicator.Summariesofprojectedgrowthandallowableharvestsbasedongrowthrates,mortality,disease,etc.areincludedinAppendixH.SpeciesinscopeofjointFM/COCcertificate:(Scientific/LatinNameandCommon/TradeName)Acerrubrum;Acerspp.;Caryaspp.;Celtisoccidentalis;Fagusgrandifolia;Fraxinusspp.;JuglansnigraL.;LiquidambarstyracifluaL.;LiriodendrontulipiferaL.;NyssasylvaticaMarsh;Pinusechinata;Pinustaeda;Pinusserotina;Quercusspp.;Quercusalba;Quercusrubra;TiliaamericanaL;Tsugacanadensis(L.)Carr.;Ulmusspp.
Timberproducts
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ConservationAreas
Totalareaofforestandnon-forestlandprotectedfromcommercialharvestingoftimberandmanagedprimarilyforconservationobjectives: 71,390ac
HighConservationValueForest/Areas
HighConservationValuespresentandrespectiveareas:Units: haor acCode HCVType Description&Location AreaHCV1 Forestsorareascontainingglobally,
regionallyornationallysignificantconcentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.endemism,endangeredspecies,refugia).
EcologicallySignificant/Wildlands-Easternregion;EcologicallySignificant/Wildlands-Westernregion
15,226
16,656
HCV2 Forestsorareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificantlargelandscapelevelforests,containedwithin,orcontainingthemanagementunit,whereviablepopulationsofmostifnotallnaturallyoccurringspeciesexistinnaturalpatternsofdistributionandabundance.
HCV3 Forestsorareasthatareinorcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystems.
CoreFIDshabitat;coreDFShabitat–Easternregion;oldgrowthandoldgrowthmanagement–Westernregion
18,484
24,874
HCV4 Forestsorareasthatprovidebasicservicesofnatureincriticalsituations(e.g.watershedprotection,erosioncontrol).
RiparianBufferAreas–Easternregion;RiparianBufferAreas–Westernregion
38,274
2,145
HCV5 Forestsorareasfundamentaltomeetingbasicneedsoflocalcommunities(e.g.subsistence,health).
HCV6 Forestsorareascriticaltolocalcommunities’traditionalculturalidentity(areasofcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificanceidentifiedincooperationwithsuchlocalcommunities).
ProductLevel1 ProductLevel2 SpeciesW1RoughWood W1.1Roundwood(logs) All W1.2FuelWood W1.3Twigs W3Woodinchipsorparticles
W3.1Woodchips All
Non-TimberForestProductsProductLevel1 ProductLevel2 ProductLevel3andSpecies
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TotalAreaofforestclassifiedas‘HighConservationValueForest/Area’ 71,984
AreasOutsideoftheScopeofCertification(PartialCertificationandExcision)
N/A–Allforestlandownedormanagedbytheapplicantisincludedinthescope.
Applicantownsand/ormanagesotherFMUsnotunderevaluation.
ApplicantwishestoexciseportionsoftheFMU(s)underevaluationfromthescopeofcertification.ExplanationforexclusionofFMUsand/orexcision:
TheStateForestslistedbelowhaveverylittlesilviculturalactivityandarerelativelysmallinacreage.
Controlmeasurestopreventmixingofcertifiedandnon-certifiedproduct(C8.3):
Theseadditionalpropertiesarenotlocatedneartheareasincludedinthecurrentorexpandedcertificationscope.Harvestingisverylimitedandusuallyforsalvageordemonstration.ThesepropertiesarenotallowedtousetheFSCcertificateorlicensecodesandthereisnoriskofmixingforestproducts.
DescriptionofFMUsexcludedfrom,orforestedareaexcisedfrom,thescopeofcertification:NameofFMUorStand Location(city,state,country) Size( haor ac)ElkNeckStateForest Northeast,MD,Cecil 3,380CedarvilleStateForest Brandywine,MD,PrinceGeorges 3,625DoncasterDemonstrationForest
Ironsides,MD,Charles 1,953
StoneyDemonstrationForest Aberdeen,MD,Harford 318SalemStateForest Leonardtown,MD,StMary’s 837
8.AnnualDataUpdate
8.1SocialInformationNumberofforestworkers(includingcontractors)workinginforestwithinscopeofcertificate(differentiatedbygender):#ofmaleworkers 34 #offemaleworkers10Numberofaccidentsinforestworksincelastaudit: Serious:#0 Fatal:#0
8.2AnnualSummaryofPesticideandOtherChemicalUse
FSC_MD_PesticideRpt_2018.xls
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SECTIONB–APPENDICES(CONFIDENTIAL)
Appendix1–ListofFMUsSelectedForEvaluation
FMEconsistsofasingleFMU
FMEconsistsofmultipleFMUsorisaGroup
Appendix2–ListofStakeholdersConsulted
ListofFMEStaffConsulted
OpeningMeetingDate: April24,2018 ClosingMeetingDate: April26,2018
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ListofotherStakeholdersConsulted
Name Organization ContactInformation
Consultationmethod
RequestsCert.Notf.
Nil
Appendix3–AdditionalAuditTechniquesEmployed
None.
Additionaltechniquesemployed(describe):
Appendix4–PesticideDerogations
TherearenoactivepesticidederogationsforthisFME.
Appendix5–DetailedObservationsCriteriarequiredbyFSCateverysurveillance
NA–allFMUsareexemptfromtheserequirements.
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audit(checkallsituationsthatapply)
Plantations>10,000ha(24,710ac):2.3,4.2,4.4,6.7,6.9,10.6,10.7,and10.8
Naturalforests>50,000ha(123,553ac)(‘lowintensity’SLIMFsexempt):1.5,2.3,3.2,4.2,4.4,5.6,6.2,6.3,8.2,and9.4
FMUscontainingHighConservationValues(‘smallforest’SLIMFsexempt):6.2,6.3,6.9and9.4
DocumentsandrecordsreviewedforFMUs/sitessampled
Allapplicabledocumentsandrecordsasrequiredinsection7ofauditplanwerereviewed;or
Thefollowingdocumentsandrecordsasrequiredinsection7oftheauditplanwereNOTreviewed(provideexplanation):
EvaluationYear FSCP&CReviewed2014 All–(Re)certificationEvaluation2015 1.3,1.5,1.6,2.3,3.1,3.2,3.4,4.2,4.4,5.6,6.2,6.3,6.5,6.6,6.9,7.1,7.2,
7.4,8.2,8.3(COCindicatorsforFMEs)and9.42016 1.1,1.2,1.4,1.5,2.3,3.2,4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,4.5,5.5,5.6,6.2,6.3,6.7,6.8,
6.9,6.10,7.3,8.2and9.42017 SeealsomandatoryCriteria;and2.1,2.2,3.3,6.1,8.1,8.4,and8.5.2018 SeealsomandatoryCriteriaabove;and5.1,5.2,5.3,5.4,6.4,9.1,9.2,and
9.3.C=ConformancewithCriterionorIndicatorNC=NonconformancewithCriterionorIndicatorNA=NotApplicableNE=NotEvaluated
AbbreviationsforMarylandDNRStateForestswhichmaybeusedinthischecklist:
CF/PSF=ChesapeakeForest/PocomokeStateForestDFS=DelmarvaFoxSquirrelESA=EcologicallySignificantAreaFIDS=ForestInteriorDwellingSpeciesNGSP=NewGermanyStateParkPGSF=Potomac-GarretStateForestGRSF=GreenRidgeStateForest
S/FMP=Sustainable/ForestManagementPlanSRSF=SavageRiverStateForestROW=Right-of-wayRTE=Rare,threatenedorendangeredNRP=NaturalResourcesPolice
REQUIREMENT C/NC COMMENT/CAR
Principle#1:CompliancewithLawsandFSCPrinciplesForestmanagementshallrespectallapplicablelawsofthecountryinwhichtheyoccur,andinternationaltreatiesandagreementstowhichthecountryisasignatory,andcomplywithallFSCPrinciplesandCriteria.1.1Forestmanagementshallrespectallnationalandlocallawsandadministrativerequirements.
NE
1.2.Allapplicableandlegallyprescribedfees, NE
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royalties,taxesandotherchargesshallbepaid.1.3.Insignatorycountries,theprovisionsofallbindinginternationalagreementssuchasCITES,ILOConventions,ITTA,andConventiononBiologicalDiversity,shallberespected.
NE
1.4.Conflictsbetweenlaws,regulationsandtheFSCPrinciplesandCriteriashallbeevaluatedforthepurposesofcertification,onacasebycasebasis,bythecertifiersandtheinvolvedoraffectedparties.
NE
1.5.Forestmanagementareasshouldbeprotectedfromillegalharvesting,settlementandotherunauthorizedactivities.
C
1.5.a.TheforestownerormanagersupportsorimplementsmeasuresintendedtopreventillegalandunauthorizedactivitiesontheForestManagementUnit(FMU).
C FMEhasadepartmentofNaturalResourcesPolice(NRP)thatregularlypatrolstatelandstopreventanddetectunauthorizedactivities.Inaddition,FMEgatesroadsandpostssignagethatcitesapplicablelawsandregulations.
1.5.b.Ifillegalorunauthorizedactivitiesoccur,theforestownerormanagerimplementsactionsdesignedtocurtailsuchactivitiesandcorrectthesituationtotheextentpossibleformeetingalllandmanagementobjectiveswithconsiderationofavailableresources.
C FMEdidnotreportanysignificantillegalorunauthorizedactivitiessincethelastaudit.Perinterviewswithstaff,FME’sNRPprosecutesorfinesviolators.NRPalsoworkswithlocallawenforcementtodealwithmorecomplexsituationsinvolvingillegalactivities,suchasmarijuanaoperations.FMEstaffregularlycleanupdumpsitestoavoidattraction.Interviewswithstaffindicatethatoutsideofthisoccasionaldumping,therehavebeennomajorillegalorunauthorizedactivities.
1.6.Forestmanagersshalldemonstratealong-termcommitmenttoadheretotheFSCPrinciplesandCriteria.
NE
Principle#2:Long-termtenureanduserightstothelandandforestresourcesshallbeclearlydefined,documentedandlegallyestablished.2.1.Clearevidenceoflong-termforestuserightstotheland(e.g.,landtitle,customaryrights,orleaseagreements)shallbedemonstrated.
NE
2.2.Localcommunitieswithlegalorcustomarytenureoruserightsshallmaintaincontrol,totheextentnecessarytoprotecttheirrightsorresources,overforestoperationsunlesstheydelegatecontrolwithfreeandinformedconsenttootheragencies.
NE
2.3.Appropriatemechanismsshallbeemployedtoresolvedisputesovertenureclaimsanduserights.Thecircumstancesandstatusofanyoutstandingdisputeswillbeexplicitlyconsideredinthecertificationevaluation.Disputesofsubstantialmagnitudeinvolvingasignificantnumberofinterestswillnormallydisqualifyanoperationfrombeingcertified.
C
2.3.aIfdisputesariseregardingtenureclaimsoruse C FMEstaffreportednonewdisputesovertenureclaimsoruse
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rightsthentheforestownerormanagerinitiallyattemptstoresolvethemthroughopencommunication,negotiation,and/ormediation.Ifthesegood-faitheffortsfail,thenfederal,state,and/orlocallawsareemployedtoresolvesuchdisputes.
rights.Unlikeprioryearstherearecurrentlynoencroachmentissues.Eachstateforestmaintainsitsownrecords,butthelandplanningofficemaybecomeinvolvedinreviewingrecordsandsurveyinformation.FME’slawyersatheadquartersreviewboundarydisputesandencroachmentandtakethefinalactionstoresolvetheseissues.
2.3.bTheforestownerormanagerdocumentsanysignificantdisputesovertenureanduserights.
C
Principle#3:Thelegalandcustomaryrightsofindigenouspeoplestoown,useandmanagetheirlands,territories,andresourcesshallberecognizedandrespected.3.1.Indigenouspeoplesshallcontrolforestmanagementontheirlandsandterritoriesunlesstheydelegatecontrolwithfreeandinformedconsenttootheragencies.
NE
3.2.Forestmanagementshallnotthreatenordiminish,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,theresourcesortenurerightsofindigenouspeoples.
NA
3.2.aDuringmanagementplanning,theforestownerormanagerconsultswithAmericanIndiangroupsthathavelegalrightsorotherbindingagreementstotheFMUtoavoidharmingtheirresourcesorrights.
NA Therearenotribalforestmanagementorownership/userightsonFMElands.TherearenositesofspecialtribalsignificanceonthecertifiedFMU.TherearenotribeswithlegalrightsorbindingagreementstotheFMU,asconfirmedthroughinterviewswithstaffandreviewoftenuredocumentsunderC2.1.RoutinecommunicationwithChiefsinregardtomanagementactivitiesandpublicpostingofAWP’sontheforestwebsite.FMEstaffreportedthatactivitiesin2017-2018didnotaffectanytribalissues.
3.2.bDemonstrableactionsaretakensothatforestmanagementdoesnotadverselyaffecttribalresources.Whenapplicable,evidenceof,andmeasuresfor,protectingtribalresourcesareincorporatedinthemanagementplan.
NA
3.3.Sitesofspecialcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificancetoindigenouspeoplesshallbeclearlyidentifiedincooperationwithsuchpeoples,andrecognizedandprotectedbyforestmanagers.
NE
3.4.Indigenouspeoplesshallbecompensatedfortheapplicationoftheirtraditionalknowledgeregardingtheuseofforestspeciesormanagementsystemsinforestoperations.Thiscompensationshallbeformallyagreeduponwiththeirfreeandinformedconsentbeforeforestoperationscommence.
NE
Principle#4:Forestmanagementoperationsshallmaintainorenhancethelong-termsocialandeconomicwell-beingofforestworkersandlocalcommunities.4.1.Thecommunitieswithin,oradjacentto,theforestmanagementareashouldbegivenopportunitiesforemployment,training,andotherservices.
NE
4.2.Forestmanagementshouldmeetorexceedall C
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applicablelawsand/orregulationscoveringhealthandsafetyofemployeesandtheirfamilies.4.2.aTheforestownerormanagermeetsorexceedsallapplicablelawsand/orregulationscoveringhealthandsafetyofemployeesandtheirfamilies(alsoseeCriterion1.1).
C OnceincidentwithacontractloggerdoesnotqualifyunderDNRsystem.Inspectionsheetsrecorded2July2017,Wallmancomplexsale.Documentedincidentwithlogger,notifiedupthechainofcommand.DNRstaffwereon-siteafterEMSonscenetoescortoff-sitebutEMScrewhadalreadyleft.Stafffollowedupasappropriate.FMEreportednootheraccidentsorsafetyincidentssincethelastaudit,andthattherehavebeennochangestohealth&safetyregulationsorcontracttemplates.OSHApostingswereobservedinallstateforestoffices.PerinterviewswithFMEstaff,allareawareofhealthandsafetylawsandreceiveregulartrainingonthesubject.TrainingrecordswereprovidedforFMEstaffandstaffofcontractors(e.g.,ParkerForestryStaffTraining-March24,2015thruApril21,2017).AuditorsexaminedpersonnelfilesmaintainedatPotomac-GarretStateForest,whichcontaintrainingrecordssuchasEMS,pest,firecertification,FEMA,stateforestrylicenses,firstaidandCPR,FEMA,wildlandfire,traildesign&construction,Erosioncontroltraining.TrackedforCFEsforSAFandtomaintainstatelicenseissuedbyDepartmentLaborLicenseandRegulation.Auditorsconfirmedpesticideapplicators’licensesfortwoqualifiedstaffatthePotomac-GarrettStateForest(JohnDenning,30327-36483;JasonSavage30327).ReviewPPE,listofpesticidesallowed.MSDSandlabelshavepapercopiesinstorageshed.Willpostsignsforsprayareasdependingonchemical,target,andamountofresidential.GPSsitesandRxwithmapsforspraysitesincludes:date,herbicide,target,applicator,date.
4.2.bTheforestownerormanagerandtheiremployeesandcontractorsdemonstrateasafeworkenvironment.Contractsorotherwrittenagreementsincludesafetyrequirements.
C Evidenceofsafefellingtechniqueswereobservedinthefieldonstumpsanduseofslashonskidtrails.Contractscontainedrequiredsafetylanguage.
4.2.cTheforestownerormanagerhireswell-qualifiedserviceproviderstosafelyimplementthemanagementplan.
C Throughuseofacompetitivebiddingsystemanduseofstrictcontractsthatincludeloggerlicensingandsafetyrequirements,FMEensuresthatitusesqualifiedserviceproviders.Evidence:contractsforalltimbersales.
4.3TherightsofworkerstoorganizeandvoluntarilynegotiatewiththeiremployersshallbeguaranteedasoutlinedinConventions87and98oftheInternationalLaborOrganization(ILO).
NE
4.4.Managementplanningandoperationsshall C
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incorporatetheresultsofevaluationsofsocialimpact.Consultationsshallbemaintainedwithpeopleandgroups(bothmenandwomen)directlyaffectedbymanagementoperations.4.4.aTheforestownerormanagerunderstandsthelikelysocialimpactsofmanagementactivities,andincorporatesthisunderstandingintomanagementplanningandoperations.Socialimpactsincludeeffectson:• Archeologicalsitesandsitesofcultural,historical
andcommunitysignificance(onandofftheFMU;• Publicresources,includingair,waterandfood
(hunting,fishing,collecting);• Aesthetics;• Communitygoalsforforestandnaturalresource
useandprotectionsuchasemployment,subsistence,recreationandhealth;
• Communityeconomicopportunities;• Otherpeoplewhomaybeaffectedby
managementoperations.AsummaryisavailabletotheCB.
C TheAnnualWorkPlanandIDTeamprocessesareexamplesofplanningeffortsthatallowforconsiderationofsocialimpactsasdescribedinthisindicator.FMEmostrecentlyupdateditssocialimpactssummaryin2015.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,WesternStateForestshaveengagedincooperativeprojectwithFrostburgStateUniversitytocarryoutaRecreation/TourismEconomicImpactStudy,withsurveyworkwasdonespringof2017andthroughthecalendaryear.
4.4.bTheforestownerormanagerseeksandconsidersinputinmanagementplanningfrompeoplewhowouldlikelybeaffectedbymanagementactivities.
C PGSFprovided3yearsofoperationalworkplans:FY2016,2017,2018.Forexample,commentsregardingtheFY-18AnnualWorkPlanwerereceivedviae-mail,phonecallsandletters.FMEreportedthatfewcommentshavebeenreceivedfromstakeholderssincethelastauditonotherStateForests.MostcommentsarereceivedduringtheAnnualWorkPlan(AWP)reviewprocessfromtheCitizensAdvisoryCommittees.SCSreviewedcomplaintslogatGRSF.Noreportsordiscoveryofunresolvedcomplaintsduringthe2018audit.
4.4.cPeoplewhoaresubjecttodirectadverseeffectsofmanagementoperationsareapprisedofrelevantactivitiesinadvanceoftheactionsothattheymayexpressconcern.
C Referto4.4.b.
4.4.dForpublicforests,consultationshallincludethefollowingcomponents:1. Clearlydefinedandaccessiblemethodsforpublic
participationareprovidedinbothlongandshort-termplanningprocesses,includingharvestplansandoperationalplans;
2. Publicnotificationissufficienttoallowinterestedstakeholdersthechancetolearnofupcomingopportunitiesforpublicreviewand/orcommentontheproposedmanagement;
3. Anaccessibleandaffordableappealsprocessto
C Referto4.4.b.
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planningdecisionsisavailable.Planningdecisionsincorporatetheresultsofpublicconsultation.Alldraftandfinalplanningdocuments,andtheirsupportingdata,aremadereadilyavailabletothepublic.4.5.Appropriatemechanismsshallbeemployedforresolvinggrievancesandforprovidingfaircompensationinthecaseoflossordamageaffectingthelegalorcustomaryrights,property,resources,orlivelihoodsoflocalpeoples.Measuresshallbetakentoavoidsuchlossordamage.
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Principle#5:Forestmanagementoperationsshallencouragetheefficientuseoftheforest’smultipleproductsandservicestoensureeconomicviabilityandawiderangeofenvironmentalandsocialbenefits.C5.1.Forestmanagementshouldstrivetowardeconomicviability,whiletakingintoaccountthefullenvironmental,social,andoperationalcostsofproduction,andensuringtheinvestmentsnecessarytomaintaintheecologicalproductivityoftheforest.
C
5.1.a.Theforestownerormanagerisfinanciallyabletoimplementcoremanagementactivities,includingallthoseenvironmental,socialandoperatingcosts,requiredtomeetthisStandard,andinvestmentandreinvestmentinforestmanagement.
C MDDNRreceivesmultiplefundingsources,includinggeneralfunds(taxes),timbersaleincome,andgrants.Theagencyundergoeslegislativeauditsinwhichitscostsandincomeforitsmanagementprogramsarereviewedindetail.MDDNRundergoesanannualbudgetingprocessthroughtheStateLegislature.MDDNRexpandedthescopeofitsFSC/SFIcertificatesin2011,thusdemonstratingreinvestmentintheamountofforestavailableforsustainableforestrymarketing/declarations.In2016,MDDNRhasreceivedfundingforitsroadprogram($900,000)in2016andhadseveralopenrecreationaltrailprograms.Duringthe2018audit,DNRreportsreceivingbudgetedamountof$300,000/yearfornecessarymaintenance.Inspectionsofnewroadandtrailconstructiondemonstratedimplementationandinspectionofplannedroadprojectsdemonstratedcommitmenttorequiredroadmaintenance.
5.1.b.Responsestoshort-termfinancialfactorsarelimitedtolevelsthatareconsistentwithfulfillmentofthisStandard.
C MDDNRmanagersstatedthebudgetcontinuestobestable.ORVtrailmaintenanceisreceivingsomeofitsfundingthroughthepermitsissued.OtherannualfixedcostshavebeenconsideredintheORVbudget.
C5.2.Forestmanagementandmarketingoperationsshouldencouragetheoptimaluseandlocalprocessingoftheforest’sdiversityofproducts.
C
5.2.a.Whereforestproductsareharvestedorsold,opportunitiesforforestproductsalesandservicesaregiventolocalharvesters,value-addedprocessingandmanufacturingfacilities,guidingservices,andotheroperationsthatareabletoofferservicesatcompetitiveratesandlevelsofservice.
C Timbersalesareopentoalllocalbidders.Forestmanagersattempttomaximizebothlocalprocessingandprocessingtohighestavailablevalue.MDDNRmaintainslistsofoperatorsforbothregionsandensuresthattheyareinformedofupcomingtimbersales(seeBidandOpeningWitnessforms;localloggingcontractorlists).Allproductsareprocessedin
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localmills.StateForestsestablishminimallyacceptablebidssothatincaseofdownmarkets,productsarenotbeingharvestedatalosstothestate.
5.2.b.Theforestownerormanagertakesmeasurestooptimizetheuseofharvestedforestproductsandexploresproductdiversificationwhereappropriateandconsistentwithmanagementobjectives.
C IntheWesternRegion,thereareopportunitiesforhighgradelumber,chips,andfencerailandpulpproducts.IntheWesternRegion,harvestedproductsmayendupinlocalhardwoodlumber,pulporpalletmills.Somesalesgotofirewood.Localmillsmayconductadditionalmarketingofhighergradelogsforveneermarketsoncetheyhaveacquiredlegalpossession.Diameterlimitonconifers(whitepine)duetomarketconditions.
5.2.c.Onpubliclandswhereforestproductsareharvestedandsold,somesalesofforestproductsorcontractsarescaledorstructuredtoallowsmallbusinesstobidcompetitively.
C FirewoodcontractsaredoneintheWesternRegionsothatsmalloperationscantakeadvantageoflocalfirewoodmarkets.MDDNRalsohassmall-salecontractsthatallowsmallbusinesseshavetheopportunitytocompetitivelybidonprojects.AnexampleofthisintheWesternRegionisablocksale,inwhichpaymentsareallowedtobebrokendownintoamultiple-paymentschedule.Thisallowssmalleroperatorstocompetitivelybidandmakesmallerpaymentsasincomeisreceived.
C5.3.Forestmanagementshouldminimizewasteassociatedwithharvestingandon-siteprocessingoperationsandavoiddamagetootherforestresources.
C
5.3.a.Managementpracticesareemployedtominimizethelossand/orwasteofharvestedforestproducts.
C IntheEasternRegion,equipmentisselected(e.g.,processors,feller-bunchers)thatallowsforgreaterutilizationofthelowerportionofsawlogs.IntheWesternRegion,salvageharvestswereconductedinduetimeastocapturethevalueofseverelydamagedtreesasreportedin2017.Thispracticecontinuesin2017.Duringthe2018auditinterviewswithstaffandexaminationofsaleprospectusdocumentsconfirmpracticestodesignsalesforminimallossofvalueandmaximumutilization.Useofcontractorswhoactivelymerchandisealsohelpsmeetthisindicator.Interviewedforestersconfirmknowledgeoflocalmarketconditionsandunderstandingofnewmarketdevelopmentintheirareas.Inallcases,logsaretransportedpriortoanychancesforrottingorotherdamagetooccur.
5.3.b.Harvestpracticesaremanagedtoprotectresidualtreesandotherforestresources,including:
C RuttingGuidelinesForForestOperationsandForestStandRetentionForForestOperationsonMarylandStateForestsare
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• soilcompaction,ruttinganderosionareminimized;
• residualtreesarenotsignificantlydamagedtotheextentthathealth,growth,orvaluesarenoticeablyaffected;
• damagetoNTFPsisminimizedduringmanagementactivities;and
• techniquesandequipmentthatminimizeimpactstovegetation,soil,andwaterareusedwheneverfeasible.
inplaceandenforced.Noruttingexceedingguidelineswereobservedduringthe2018audit.Interviewswithstaffconfirmedworkingknowledgeofrequirementsorabilitytoquicklylocateguidancedocumentsandroutineuseofthatknowledge.
C5.4.Forestmanagementshouldstrivetostrengthenanddiversifythelocaleconomy,avoidingdependenceonasingleforestproduct.
C
5.4.a.Theforestownerormanagerdemonstratesknowledgeoftheiroperation’seffectonthelocaleconomyasitrelatestoexistingandpotentialmarketsforawidevarietyoftimberandnon-timberforestproductsandservices.
C Thestateforestsofferadiverseopportunityforharvestingforestproductsincludingherbs(unlesslistedasaprotectedorprohibitedspecies),firewood,etc.Hunting,fishing,hiking,andotherrecreationalactivitiesontheStateForestsattractusergroupstolocalbusinesses,asreportedbyseveralMDDNRemployeesinterviewed.StateForestmanagersmaintainknowledgeoflocalmarketsforforestproducts.TheMarylandForestServiceisworkingtoimprovemarketsforforestproducts,particularlymarketsrelatedtobioenergy.
5.4.bTheforestownerormanagerstrivestodiversifytheeconomicuseoftheforestaccordingtoIndicator5.4.a.
C Inresponsetorecreationalusergroups,suchasmountainbikers(Eastern)orORVenthusiasts(Western),MDDNRhasexpandedorestablishedtrailnetworks.Examinedduringthe2018auditwasanewtrailestablishedinresponsetorecreationaldemands(seebelow).Theseusergroupsarelikelytouselocalbusinessesforlodging,food,fuel,andotherneeds.Duringthe2018audit,newtrailconstructionwasexamined.TheSt.JohnsRockORVtrailinSavageRiverSFopenedJuly2017.DNRinstalledcampsites,kids’trails,anda“rockcrawl”challengesiteforORVs.
5.5.Forestmanagementoperationsshallrecognize,maintain,and,whereappropriate,enhancethevalueofforestservicesandresourcessuchaswatershedsandfisheries.
NE
5.6.Therateofharvestofforestproductsshallnotexceedlevelswhichcanbepermanentlysustained.
C
5.6.aInFMUswhereproductsarebeingharvested,thelandownerormanagercalculatesthesustainedyieldharvestlevelforeachsustainedyieldplanningunit,andprovidesclearrationalefordeterminingthesizeandlayoutoftheplanningunit.Thesustained
C FMEcalculatestheAAHforeachStateForestinthescope.OfeachStateForest,onlyonehasreportedchangesinitscalculatedAAH:SRSFhasbeenconductinganextensiveforestinventoryprojectfinishedin2016.Initialinventoryworkwas
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yieldharvestlevelcalculationisdocumentedintheManagementPlan.Thesustainedyieldharvestlevelcalculationforeachplanningunitisbasedon:• documentedgrowthratesforparticularsites,
and/oracreageofforesttypes,age-classesandspeciesdistributions;
• mortalityanddecayandotherfactorsthataffectnetgrowth;
• areasreservedfromharvestorsubjecttoharvestrestrictionstomeetothermanagementgoals;
• silviculturalpracticesthatwillbeemployedontheFMU;
• managementobjectivesanddesiredfutureconditions.
Thecalculationismadebyconsideringtheeffectsofrepeatedprescribedharvestsontheproduct/speciesanditsecosystem,aswellasplannedmanagementtreatmentsandprojectionsofsubsequentregrowthbeyondsinglerotationandmultiplere-entries.
completedontheharvestableareasofSRSFandtheanalysisofthisdatawillbethebasisforanychangesthatmaybenecessaryinadjustingtheannualallowableharvestrate.SeeSFMPChapter5,AppendixHandCFISummaryforeachStateForest.FMEusesRemsoft’sWoodstockprogramtoanalyzeforestinventorydatatoprojectsustainableharvestlevelsbasedonallowedsilviculturalsystems.Harvestratesarebasedonareacontrolratherthanvolumecontrolcurrently.AppendixHincludesadescriptionoftheassumptionsbehindthegrowthandyieldmodeling,includingtheelementsoftheindicator.Summariesofprojectedgrowthandallowableharvestsbasedongrowthrates,mortality,disease,etc.areincludedinAppendixH.In2017,FMErecentlycompletedupdatedmodellingfortheEasternRegionusingforestinventorydataandsiteindexesmodeledusingREMSOFT’ssoftware.Themodelconsidersgrowthrates,sitequality,currentage/sizeclass,speciescomposition,managementzone,operability,managementconstraintssuchasFIDS,ESAsandDFS,silviculturalpractices,andobjectives.
5.6.bAverageannualharvestlevels,overrollingperiodsofnomorethan10years,donotexceedthecalculatedsustainedyieldharvestlevel.
C NGSP=NewGermanyStateParkPGSF=Potomac-GarretStateForestGRSF=GreenRidgeStateForest2017:GRSF—TheallowableharvestwithintheGRSFGeneralForestAreaistomanage200acresperyearforendofrotationregenerationharvests.FMEregenerated200acressincethelastaudit.SRSF—SeeAppendix3intheSavageRiverStateForestFY2017AnnualWorkPlan.1.0MMBFplanned,941,285actual.PGSF—634MBFplanned,542MBFactualCF/PSF—ThinningacreagewasslightlybelowAAH,finalanduneven-agedharvestacreage(clearcuts,variableretention,seedtree,shelterwood)waswellbelowourAAH,asconfirmedinrecords(seeTimberSaleSummaryforallStateForests).2018:EachStateForestmaintainsanannualworkplansummarytocompareactualacresharvestedversusprojected(e.g.,http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/workplans.aspx).HarvestlevelsonanareacontrolbasisremainwellbelowwhatisallowedpertheWoodstockmodel.EachStateForestalsopreparesquarterlyharvestreports,whichwerereviewed
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duringtheaudit.TimberHarvestSummaries(PDF)forCF-PSF,GRSF,PGSF,andSRSFwereinspectedandincludeddatabyFiscalYearforHarvestBd.FtVol.andHarvestedGrossValueofsale.
ReferalsotoSFQuarterlyReportALL-WMDFY18-3QMFIn itialSelections.xls
5.6.cRatesandmethodsoftimberharvestleadtoachievingdesiredconditions,andimproveormaintainhealthandqualityacrosstheFMU.Overstockedstandsandstandsthathavebeendepletedorrenderedtobebelowproductivepotentialduetonaturalevents,pastmanagement,orlackofmanagement,arereturnedtodesiredstockinglevelsandcompositionattheearliestpracticabletimeasjustifiedinmanagementobjectives.
C AWPplanningisdonebytheForestManagerandstaff.Notesonfuturemanagementactivities,suchassilviculturaltreatmentsorTSI,areincorporatedintotheforestGIS.
5.6.dForNTFPs,calculationofquantitativesustainedyieldharvestlevelsisrequiredonlyincaseswhereproductsareharvestedinsignificantcommercialoperationsorwheretraditionalorcustomaryuserightsmaybeimpactedbysuchharvests.Inothersituations,theforestownerormanagerutilizesavailableinformation,andnewinformationthatcanbereasonablygathered,tosetharvestinglevelsthatwillnotresultinadepletionofthenon-timbergrowingstocksorotheradverseeffectstotheforestecosystem.
NA ThereisnosignificantharvestofNTFPsontheFMU,asconfirmedinfieldvisitsandinterviewswithFMEstaff.HuntleasesareusedonlyontheChesapeakeStateForest.Themeatacquiredisnotcommerciallysoldandisnotcommerciallysignificant.
Principle#6:Forestmanagementshallconservebiologicaldiversityanditsassociatedvalues,waterresources,soils,anduniqueandfragileecosystemsandlandscapes,and,bysodoing,maintaintheecologicalfunctionsandtheintegrityoftheforest.6.1.Assessmentsofenvironmentalimpactsshallbecompleted--appropriatetothescale,intensityofforestmanagementandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources--andadequatelyintegratedintomanagementsystems.Assessmentsshallincludelandscapelevelconsiderationsaswellastheimpactsofon-siteprocessingfacilities.Environmentalimpactsshallbeassessedpriortocommencementofsite-disturbingoperations.
NE
6.2Safeguardsshallexistwhichprotectrare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesandtheirhabitats(e.g.,nestingandfeedingareas).Conservationzonesandprotectionareasshallbeestablished,appropriatetothescaleandintensityofforestmanagementandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources.Inappropriatehunting,fishing,
C
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trapping,andcollectingshallbecontrolled.6.2.aIfthereisalikelypresenceofRTEspeciesasidentifiedinIndicator6.1.atheneitherafieldsurveytoverifythespecies'presenceorabsenceisconductedpriortosite-disturbingmanagementactivities,ormanagementoccurswiththeassumptionthatpotentialRTEspeciesarepresent.Surveysareconductedbybiologistswiththeappropriateexpertiseinthespeciesofinterestandwithappropriatequalificationstoconductthesurveys.Ifaspeciesisdeterminedtobepresent,itslocationshouldbereportedtothemanageroftheappropriatedatabase.
C WildlifeandHeritagebiologistsareimportantmembersoftheInterdisciplinaryTeam(IDT)reviewteamforeachofthestateforests.TheyprovidecriticalinformationimportanttotheultimatemanagementdecisionsmadebytheStateForestmanagersandtheirannualworkplans.Rare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesarerecordedintheHeritagedatabase.Heritagebiologistsareinvolvedinplanning,reviewandapprovalforeachmanagementprescriptionandsometimesworkingdirectlywiththemanagerinthefinalboundariesestablishedforaforestharvesttoensurethespeciesofconcernandtheirhabitatareproperlyprotected.RTEspeciesprotectionandmanagementareincludedintheForestManagementPlan,AWPForestHarvestProposal,andGIS.EachAWPsilviculturalproposalhasadefined“Description/ResourceImpactAssessment”whichincludesinformationfor:Location,ForestCommunityTypeandCondition,InterferingElements,HistoricConditions,Rare/Threatened/EndangeredSpeciesandHabitats,SpeciesofManagementConcern,WaterResources,RecreationResourcesandSoilResources.MonitoringeffortsfolloweachmanagementactivitythatcouldaffectRTEspeciesortheirhabitatsincludingmonitoringoftheeffectsofrestorationtreatments.
6.2.bWhenRTEspeciesarepresentorassumedtobepresent,modificationsinmanagementaremadeinordertomaintain,restoreorenhancetheextent,qualityandviabilityofthespeciesandtheirhabitats.Conservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareestablishedforRTEspecies,includingthoseS3speciesthatareconsideredrare,wheretheyarenecessarytomaintainorimprovetheshortandlong-termviabilityofthespecies.Conservationmeasuresarebasedonrelevantscience,guidelinesand/orconsultationwithrelevant,independentexpertsasnecessarytoachievetheconservationgoaloftheIndicator.
C FMEreportedthefollowingactivitiesnearRTEspecieshabitatzones:RefertoindividualAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)andthemanagementrecommendationsforeachstateforest;allconservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareshownoneachprojectmap.ForestharvestshaveoccurredinareasthatarepotentialhabitatsforRTEspecies.Allharvestsmustgothroughtheannualworkplanprocess.HeritageassiststheFMEduringplanningandimplementationtoensurethatthegoalsthattheyhavefortargetspeciesaremet.EachyearFMEincludesalocationreportingformandinformationfactsheetalongwithitsstandardhuntingharvestreportformstoeachofthelocalhuntclubsregardingDelmarvaFoxSquirrelontheMarylandshort.AnyformsthatFMEreceivesbackaresenttoUSFish&Wildlife,DNRWildlife&Heritage,andkeptonfileatFMEoffices.
6.2.cFormediumandlargepublicforests(e.g.stateforests),forestmanagementplansandoperationsaredesignedtomeetspecies’recoverygoals,aswellaslandscapelevelbiodiversityconservationgoals.
C TherequirementsofthissectionofthestandardareprimarilyaccomplishedthroughtheIDteamprocess,whichincludesreviewsofallplansbyheritage,wildlife,fisheries,andforestrystaff.HarvestoperationsandrestorationprojectsarereviewedbyHeritagemembersoftheIDteam.Restoration
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projectsforspecificsitesarelistedwithineachAnnualWorkPlan.
6.2.dWithinthecapacityoftheforestownerormanager,hunting,fishing,trapping,collectingandotheractivitiesarecontrolledtoavoidtheriskofimpactstovulnerablespeciesandcommunities(SeeCriterion1.5).
C FMEstaffreportedthattherehavebeennocasesofharvestortakeofRTEspeciesorsignificantdamagetovulnerablespeciesandcommunitiesontheFMU.RefertoAWPsandthemanagementrecommendationsasallESAsareshownperprojectmaps.Seealsoinformationpresentedin6.2.bonhuntingofgamespecies(e.g.,deer)withinDelmarvaFoxSquirrelhabitat.
6.3.Ecologicalfunctionsandvaluesshallbemaintainedintact,enhanced,orrestored,including:a)Forestregenerationandsuccession.b)Genetic,species,andecosystemdiversity.c)Naturalcyclesthataffecttheproductivityoftheforestecosystem.
C
6.3.a.1Theforestownerormanagermaintains,enhances,and/orrestoresunder-representedsuccessionalstagesintheFMUthatwouldnaturallyoccuronthetypesofsitesfoundontheFMU.Whereoldgrowthofdifferentcommunitytypesthatwouldnaturallyoccurontheforestareunder-representedinthelandscaperelativetonaturalconditions,aportionoftheforestismanagedtoenhanceand/orrestoreoldgrowthcharacteristics.
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Earlysuccessionstagesaremostunder-
representedonthisstateforest,soregenerationharvestsdothemosttomaintainyoungforests.
• SRSF—Theseedling/saplingsuccessionstageofourhardwoodforestscouldbeconsideredunderrepresented.Assuch,managementworkplannedwithintheAnnualWorkPlansisgenerallyfocusedonregenerationofhardwoodforestsandenhancingthisstageofforestgrowth.Earlysuccessionalhabitatincludinggrassandshrubdominatedacreageisalsounderrepresentedacrosstheforestlandscape.CooperativeeffortswiththeWildlifeDivisionofDNRwillmaintainover150acresofrecentlandacquisitionsinthishabitat.Furtheracquisitionscomposedofthishabitattypeareinreviewandmaypotentiallybroadentheoccurrenceofthishabitatnicheontheforest.
• PGSF—SeePGSFFY-17AWPforVII.WatershedProtectionComp19LostlandRunHWAMitigation/RedSprucePlantingsmall(1acre.annual)NativeRedSpruceplanting.LongstandingHemlockProtectionProgramwithMDA;involvingIPAapproachtohemlockprotection/preservationinimportantstands.
• CF/PSF-PrescribedfirehasbeenusedtomaintainopenandearlysuccessionalareasontheFMU(i.e.Brookviewponds,PowellRdESA,Furnacelupinesite,etc.)
6.3.a.2Whenarareecologicalcommunityispresent,modificationsaremadeinboththemanagementplananditsimplementationinordertomaintain,restoreorenhancetheviabilityofthecommunity.Basedonthevulnerabilityoftheexistingcommunity,conservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareestablishedwherewarranted.
C FMEdemonstratesexceptionaleffortstoidentifyrareecologicalcommunitiesforprotection,managementand/orrestoration.Duringharvestsvisitedin2018,ESAsandotherprotectedareaswerenotedonmapswhenadjacentorwithintimbersaleboundaries.Criticalhabitatshavebeenmappedforstatelistedor
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uncommonspecies,shalebarrenscommunities,oldgrowthandpotentialoldgrowth,vernalpoolsanduniqueopenhabitatsinstateforestmanagementplans.Inmostcases,theseareasarenotenteredwithequipment.Perinterviewswithstaff,forearlysuccessionalhabitatthatisnotwell-representedonthelandscape,FMEisattemptingtocoordinatemoreopportunitiestocombinetimbersaleandprescribedfirelayouttoreducecosts.
6.3.a.3Whentheyarepresent,managementmaintainsthearea,structure,composition,andprocessesofallType1andType2oldgrowth.Type1and2oldgrowtharealsoprotectedandbufferedasnecessarywithconservationzones,unlessanalternativeplanisdevelopedthatprovidesgreateroverallprotectionofoldgrowthvalues.Type1OldGrowthisprotectedfromharvestingandroadconstruction.Type1oldgrowthisalsoprotectedfromothertimbermanagementactivities,exceptasneededtomaintaintheecologicalvaluesassociatedwiththestand,includingoldgrowthattributes(e.g.,removeexoticspecies,conductcontrolledburning,andthinningfrombelowindryforesttypeswhenandwhererestorationisappropriate).Type2OldGrowthisprotectedfromharvestingtotheextentnecessarytomaintainthearea,structures,andfunctionsofthestand.TimberharvestinType2oldgrowthmustmaintainoldgrowthstructures,functions,andcomponentsincludingindividualtreesthatfunctionasrefugia(seeIndicator6.3.g).Onpubliclands,oldgrowthisprotectedfromharvesting,aswellasfromothertimbermanagementactivities,exceptifneededtomaintainthevaluesassociatedwiththestand(e.g.,removeexoticspecies,conductcontrolledburning,andthinningfrombelowinforesttypeswhenandwhererestorationisappropriate).OnAmericanIndianlands,timberharvestmaybepermittedinType1andType2oldgrowthinrecognitionoftheirsovereigntyanduniqueownership.Timberharvestispermittedinsituationswhere:1. Oldgrowthforestscompriseasignificantportion
ofthetribalownership.
C FMEstaffreportedthattherehavebeennoharvestsorotheractivitiesthathavesignificantlyaffectedoldgrowthstands.
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2. Ahistoryofforeststewardshipbythetribeexists.3. HighConservationValueForestattributesare
maintained.4. Old-growthstructuresaremaintained.5. Conservationzonesrepresentativeofoldgrowth
standsareestablished.6. Landscapelevelconsiderationsareaddressed.7. Rarespeciesareprotected.6.3.bTotheextentfeasiblewithinthesizeoftheownership,particularlyonlargerownerships(generallytensofthousandsormoreacres),managementmaintains,enhances,orrestoreshabitatconditionssuitableforwell-distributedpopulationsofanimalspeciesthatarecharacteristicofforestecosystemswithinthelandscape.
C TheAWPsforeachstateforestscontainsasoneitsprimaryobjectivestowardWildlifeHabitat:managementactivitieswithapurposetomaintainandenhancetheecologicalneedsofthediversityofwildlifespeciesandhabitattypes.FMEstaffreportedthefollowing:GRSF—TheFY2018AWPSpecialWildlifeHabitatProjectsinclude:ContinueImplementationoftheKirkOrchard,Anthony’sRidge,andKasecampBottoms,andTownCreekSpecialWildlifeHabitatPlans,ContinueRotationalmowingandbrushmanagementinapprovedgrasslandsandotherwildlifeopeningsandCreateandmanagea2acrepollinatormeadowintheTownCreekSpecialWildlifeHabitatAreatoserveasademonstrationareaforpollinatormanagement.• SRSF—AWPFY2018VII.MargraffPlantationSunflower
Fieldtoprovideenhanceddovefeedinggrounds.Also,about16acresofwildlifespecificprojecthavebeenimplemented.Allplannedandcompletedtimberharvestsincludewildlifehabitatimprovementelementsbycreatinganincreaseinearlysuccessionhabitatcriticaltoavarietyofspeciesinneedofconservationincludinggolden-wingedwarblers,Americanwoodcock,etc.
• PGSF—SeePGSFFY18-AWPIX.WildlifeManagement.Proposals:
• Comp41-8isaone-acrewildlifeopeningmanagedtoprovidefeeding,broodingforagingareas.
• CF/PSF—PlanningandexecutionoftheearlysuccessionalhabitatprojectontheFostertractcontinues.
6.3.cManagementmaintains,enhancesand/orrestorestheplantandwildlifehabitatofRiparianManagementZones(RMZs)toprovide:a) habitatforaquaticspeciesthatbreedin
surroundinguplands;b) habitatforpredominantlyterrestrialspeciesthat
breedinadjacentaquatichabitats;c) habitatforspeciesthatuseriparianareasfor
feeding,cover,andtravel;d) habitatforplantspeciesassociatedwithriparian
areas;and,e) streamshadingandinputsofwoodandleaf
litterintotheadjacentaquaticecosystem.
C Watershedprotection/improvementisaddressedthroughouteachofthestateforestsAWPsthroughforestharvestplanningandreviewtoimplementationandincludingspecificprojectstoimproveandprotectwaterresources.FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Continuetoestablishandenhanceriparian
buffersalongTownCreekwithvolunteertreeplantingprojects.Non-invasivetreeandshrubspecieswillbeplantedtoestablishforestbuffersandenhancewildlifehabitat.
• SRSF—AnnualWorkPlanmapsreferencenocutbuffersonbluelinestreamsandwetlandsaswellasMaryland’s
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BestManagementPracticesthatareimplementedonallsilviculturalactivitiestoensurethepreservationofwaterqualityinadjacentwaterways.
• PGSF—Comp.19–LostlandRunHWAMitigation/RedSprucePlantingProposal(ExtensionFY-12Proposal)CF/PSF—WorkcontinuesontheIndiantown/BrookviewPondswatershedimprovementprojectfromtheFY2013AWP.
Stand-scaleIndicators6.3.dManagementpracticesmaintainorenhanceplantspeciescomposition,distributionandfrequencyofoccurrencesimilartothosethatwouldnaturallyoccuronthesite.
C Asconfirmedinfieldsitevisits,allharvestsintheWesternRegionincluderetentionofoakandlargerdiameterlegacypinetrees.Someharvestsincludepineseedtreesofspeciesthatoccurnaturallyonthesite,especiallyinthecaseofpond,pitch,andshort-leafpines.Otherhardwoods,suchasmaples,poplars,andgums,aremostlyretainedinno-harvestzonesandSMZs,aswellaswithinproductionareasduringthinnings.BaldcypresswasobservedinSMZs,whicharetypicalsitesforthisspecies.Recentlandscapeanalyseshaveprovidedsupportforcontinuedeffortstoretainingconifersfortreeandwildlifehabitatdiversity.
6.3.eWhenplantingisrequired,alocalsourceofknownprovenanceisusedwhenavailableandwhenthelocalsourceisequivalentintermsofquality,priceandproductivity.Theuseofnon-localsourcesshallbejustified,suchasinsituationswhereothermanagementobjectives(e.g.diseaseresistanceoradaptingtoclimatechange)arebestservedbynon-localsources.Nativespeciessuitedtothesitearenormallyselectedforregeneration.
C SeedmixesaredeterminedbyMDDepartmentofWildlifeandaddressedintimberharvestcontracts(AttachmentE;mediumredclover,ladinoclover,orchardgrass,perennialryegrass,andtimothygrass).MDDNRgenerallydoesnotplantexceptsmallareasforredspruce.One4-acreplantingwasdiscussedduringthe2018audit.
6.3.fManagementmaintains,enhances,orrestoreshabitatcomponentsandassociatedstandstructures,inabundanceanddistributionthatcouldbeexpectedfromnaturallyoccurringprocesses.Thesecomponentsinclude:a) largelivetrees,livetreeswithdecayordeclining
health,snags,andwell-distributedcoarsedownanddeadwoodymaterial.Legacytreeswherepresentarenotharvested;and
b) verticalandhorizontalcomplexity.Treesselectedforretentionaregenerallyrepresentativeofthedominantspeciesfoundonthesite.
C Asconfirmedinfieldsitevisits,allharvestsintheWesternRegionincluderetentionofoakandlargerdiameterlegacypinetrees.Someharvestsincludepineseedtreesofspeciesthatoccurnaturalonthesite,especiallyinthecaseofpond,pitch,andshort-leafpines.Otherhardwoods,suchasmaplesandgums,aremostlyretainedinno-harvestzonesandSMZs.Snagswereobservedonseveralharvestswithharvestareasandinno-harvestzones.Woodymaterialisretainedforuseonskidtrailstocontrolerosionandcompactionanddistributedoverharvestsites.Alltreespeciesselectedforretentionareofdominantspeciesofthesite.
6.3.g.1IntheSoutheast,Appalachia,Ozark-Ouachita,MississippiAlluvialValley,andPacificCoastRegions,wheneven-agedsystemsareemployed,andduringsalvageharvests,livetreesandothernativevegetationareretainedwithintheharvestunitasdescribedinAppendixCfortheapplicableregion.
C 2018:FMEreportedthefollowingeven-agedharvests:• GRSF-Alleven-agedregenerationharvestscarriedoutthis
yearwerecompletedunderprinciplesofvariableretention.154acreshavebeenharvestedon258ofmanagedland.
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IntheLakeStatesNortheast,RockyMountainandSouthwestRegions,wheneven-agedsilviculturalsystemsareemployed,andduringsalvageharvests,livetreesandothernativevegetationareretainedwithintheharvestunitinaproportionandconfigurationthatisconsistentwiththecharacteristicnaturaldisturbanceregimeunlessretentionatalowerlevelisnecessaryforthepurposesofrestorationorrehabilitation.SeeAppendixCforadditionalregionalrequirementsandguidance.
• SRSF—Approximately103acresofevenagedharvestswerecompletedon153managementunitacres.43acresofmaturehardwoodwereregeneratedontwostandsof21,and22acres.Theremainingevenagedmanagementoccurredon60acresofthe1stfirstcutofatwo-ageshelterwoodsystem.Retentionobjectivesweremetforeachharvestwithmorethan5%oftheoriginalstandbeingretained.BuffersimplementedalongStreamsidemanagementzones,utilities,andHCVFensuredthatretentiontargetswouldbemetineachsilviculturaloperation.RefertotheFY-18AnnualWorkPlanaswellasthefinaltimberharvestcontractsforbuffer/exclusiondelineations.
• PGSF—Approximately226acresofevenagedharvestswerecompletedon327managementunitacres.38acresofmaturehardwoodwereregeneratedontwostandsof23,and15acres.Theremainingevenagedmanagementoccurredon188acresofthe1stfirstcutofatwo-ageshelterwoodsystem.
• CF/PSF—38.2acreswereregeneratedwithanaverageof19acres.
6.3.g.2Underverylimitedsituations,thelandownerormanagerhastheoptiontodevelopaqualifiedplantoallowminordeparturefromtheopeningsizelimitsdescribedinIndicator6.3.g.1.Aqualifiedplan:1.Isdevelopedbyqualifiedexpertsinecological
and/orrelatedfields(wildlifebiology,hydrology,landscapeecology,forestry/silviculture).
2.Isbasedonthetotalityofthebestavailableinformationincludingpeer-reviewedscienceregardingnaturaldisturbanceregimesfortheFMU.
3.Isspatiallyandtemporallyexplicitandincludesmapsofproposedopeningsorareas.
4.Demonstratesthatthevariationswillresultinequalorgreaterbenefittowildlife,waterquality,andothervaluescomparedtothenormalopeningsizelimits,includingforsensitiveandrarespecies.
5.Isreviewedbyindependentexpertsinwildlifebiology,hydrology,andlandscapeecology,toconfirmtheprecedingfindings.
NA Noexemptionstoeven-agedmanagementrestrictionsassociatedwithindicator6.3.g.1anditsapplicableregionalsub-indicatorsweredetectedduringfieldvisitsorreviewofmanagementplanningdocumentation.
6.3.hTheforestownerormanagerassessestheriskof,prioritizes,and,aswarranted,developsandimplementsastrategytopreventorcontrolinvasivespecies,including:1. amethodtodeterminetheextentofinvasive
C FMEreportedthefollowing:The2018PesticideUseReportnotedseveralprojectsthatweredirectedatcontrollinginvasiveplantspeciesincludingcallerypear,Japaneseknotweed,ailanthusandmile-a-minute.• GRSF—Ailanthuswastreatedinstandspriortoharvestin
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speciesandthedegreeofthreattonativespeciesandecosystems;
2. implementationofmanagementpracticesthatminimizetheriskofinvasiveestablishment,growth,andspread;
3. eradicationorcontrolofestablishedinvasivepopulationswhenfeasible:and,
4. monitoringofcontrolmeasuresandmanagementpracticestoassesstheireffectivenessinpreventingorcontrollinginvasivespecies.
standsthatitwasknowntoexist,andailanthuswastreatedinspecialwildlifehabitatareas.Furthermore,mowingoccurredinoldfieldareaswhereinvasiveshrubsexisttopreventestablishmentoftheseshrubssuchasbushhoneysuckle,autumnoliveandmulti-florarose.
• SRSF—treatedandismonitoringseveralplantcoloniesorsitesincluding:JapaneseKnotweedsites,TreeofHeavensites,Mile-A-MinutesitesandYellowArchangelsites.
• PGSF—SeePGSFFY18-AWPVIIIEcosystemRestoration/ProtectionProjects;notecontrolormonitoringdoneon19NNISspottreatments,(ref.herbicideapplicationrecord.)
• CF/PSF—Mappingupdatesofknownandnewinvasivelocations,herbicideapplicationsonhighrecreationuseareastoslowthespreadofinvasivevegetation.
6.3.iInapplicablesituations,theforestownerormanageridentifiesandappliessite-specificfuelsmanagementpractices,basedon:(1)naturalfireregimes,(2)riskofwildfire,(3)potentialeconomiclosses,(4)publicsafety,and(5)applicablelawsandregulations.
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Noprescribedfireinpastyear.Onewildfire
burnedapproximately2acresintheKirkOrchardarea.Nonaturalfiresoccurred.
• SRSF—Onewildfire(arson)totaling8.5acresinCompartment58.
• PGSF—None• CF/PSF—Multipleprescribedburnshavebeencompleted
onvarioussites.ThemajoritieswereinornearESAZone1areas.
6.4.Representativesamplesofexistingecosystemswithinthelandscapeshallbeprotectedintheirnaturalstateandrecordedonmaps,appropriatetothescaleandintensityofoperationsandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources.
6.4.a.TheforestownerormanagerdocumentstheecosystemsthatwouldnaturallyexistontheFMU,andassessestheadequacyoftheirrepresentationandprotectioninthelandscape(seeCriterion7.1).Theassessmentformediumandlargeforestsincludesomeorallofthefollowing:a)GAPanalyses;b)collaborationwithstatenaturalheritageprogramsandotherpublicagencies;c)regional,landscape,andwatershedplanningefforts;d)collaborationwithuniversitiesand/orlocalconservationgroups.ForanareathatisnotlocatedontheFMUtoqualifyasaRepresentativeSampleArea(RSA),itshouldbeunderpermanentprotectioninitsnaturalstate.
C TheRepresentativeSampleArea(RSA)exerciseiscompleteasconfirmedbyGISreview,interviewsandmanagementplanreviewandreviewof“MethodologyforLocatingRepresentativeSampleAreas(RSA)forNaturallyOccurringEcosystemswithintheRegionofMarylandStateForests”.ThismethodologywasdevelopedincooperationwithMDDNRNaturalHeritageProgram.ThisGAPanalysisisbasedonthespatialanalysisofthesurrounding.Ecosystemdataiscompleteasconfirmedthroughinterviewsanddatareview.MDDNRmetwithNaturalHeritageandidentifiedthepresence/absence/adequacyoftypesinsurroundinglandscapeaswellaswithinStateForests.
6.4.b.Whereexistingareaswithinthelandscape,butexternaltotheFMU,arenotofadequateprotection,size,andconfigurationtoserveasrepresentative
C MDDNRestablishedRSAsasindicatedbygapanalysisdescribeabove.Forexample,SavageRiverSFMP-Section5.14.3;PGSFSFMPSection5.14.3.
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samplesofexistingecosystems,forestownersormanagers,whosepropertiesareconducivetotheestablishmentofsuchareas,designateecologicallyviableRSAstoservethesepurposes.LargeFMUsaregenerallyexpectedtoestablishRSAsofpurpose2and3withintheFMU.
RSAshavebeenestablishedtoprotectpurpose2(RTEandrarecommunities)andpurpose3(otherhabitatsandspeciesofmanagementconcern)andaremostoftenalsodescribedbytheFME’sEcologicallySignificantAreas(ESAs).Seealsosection6.1.a.(1)and6.1.a.(2).
6.4.c.ManagementactivitieswithinRSAsarelimitedtolowimpactactivitiescompatiblewiththeprotectedRSAobjectives,exceptunderthefollowingcircumstances:
a)harvestingactivitiesonlywheretheyarenecessarytorestoreorcreateconditionstomeettheobjectivesoftheprotectedRSA,ortomitigateconditionsthatinterferewithachievingtheRSAobjectives;or
b)road-buildingonlywhereitisdocumentedthatitwillcontributetominimizingtheoverallenvironmentalimpactswithintheFMUandwillnotjeopardizethepurposeforwhichtheRSAwasdesignated.
C RSAsareprotectedfromroutinetimbermanagementthusservingtheirintendedpurposeasacontrolasconfirmedthroughinterviews,observationsandmanagementplanreviewincludingforexampleSavageRiverSFMP-Section5.14.3.Exceptionsareallowedandoccurinthefollowingexamples:
a) Non-nativeinvasiveplantcontrolhasbeenconductedinRSAsforthepurposeofremovinginterferingplantcoverandrestoringconditions.
b) Exceptionshavenotoccurredforroadbuilding.
6.4.d.TheRSAassessment(Indicator6.4.a)shallbeperiodicallyreviewedandifnecessaryupdated(ataminimumevery10years)inordertodetermineiftheneedforRSAshaschanged;thedesignationofRSAs(Indicator6.4.b)isrevisedaccordingly.
C ThisindicatorwillbeassessedbyMDDNRin2022(i.e.10yearsafterthecompletionoftheoriginal2012RSAassessment.
6.4.e.Managersoflarge,contiguouspublicforestsestablishandmaintainanetworkofrepresentativeprotectedareassufficientinsizetomaintainspeciesdependentoninteriorcorehabitats.
C Asconfirmedthroughmanagementplanreview,thisisaccomplishedthroughtheestablishmentofmanagementzonesthatincludethefollowing:ESA’s,Wildlands,HCVFs,FIDShabitat,OldGrowthManagementComplex.
6.5Writtenguidelinesshallbepreparedandimplementedtocontrolerosion;minimizeforestdamageduringharvesting,roadconstruction,andallothermechanicaldisturbances;andtoprotectwaterresources.
NE
6.6.Managementsystemsshallpromotethedevelopmentandadoptionofenvironmentallyfriendlynon-chemicalmethodsofpestmanagementandstrivetoavoidtheuseofchemicalpesticides.WorldHealthOrganizationType1Aand1Bandchlorinatedhydrocarbonpesticides;pesticidesthatarepersistent,toxicorwhosederivativesremainbiologicallyactiveandaccumulateinthefoodchainbeyondtheirintendeduse;aswellasanypesticidesbannedbyinternationalagreement,shallbeprohibited.Ifchemicalsareused,properequipmentandtrainingshallbeprovidedtominimizehealth
NE
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andenvironmentalrisks.6.7.Chemicals,containers,liquidandsolidnon-organicwastesincludingfuelandoilshallbedisposedofinanenvironmentallyappropriatemanneratoff-sitelocations.
NE
6.8.Useofbiologicalcontrolagentsshallbedocumented,minimized,monitored,andstrictlycontrolledinaccordancewithnationallawsandinternationallyacceptedscientificprotocols.Useofgeneticallymodifiedorganismsshallbeprohibited.
NE
6.9.Theuseofexoticspeciesshallbecarefullycontrolledandactivelymonitoredtoavoidadverseecologicalimpacts.
NA
6.9.aTheuseofexoticspeciesiscontingentontheavailabilityofcrediblescientificdataindicatingthatanysuchspeciesisnon-invasiveanditsapplicationdoesnotposearisktonativebiodiversity.
NA FMEreportedthatnoexoticspecieshavebeenusedforcommercialormanagementpurposessincethelastaudit,whichtheauditorconfirmedinfieldobservation.NoneareusedintheWesternRegion.
6.9.bIfexoticspeciesareused,theirprovenanceandthelocationoftheirusearedocumented,andtheirecologicaleffectsareactivelymonitored.
NA See6.9.a.
6.9.cTheforestownerormanagershalltaketimelyactiontocurtailorsignificantlyreduceanyadverseimpactsresultingfromtheiruseofexoticspecies
NA See6.9.a.
6.10.Forestconversiontoplantationsornon-forestlandusesshallnotoccur,exceptincircumstanceswhereconversion:a)Entailsaverylimitedportionoftheforestmanagementunit;andb)DoesnotoccuronHighConservationValueForestareas;andc)Willenableclear,substantial,additional,secure,long-termconservationbenefitsacrosstheforestmanagementunit.
NE
Principle#7:Amanagementplan--appropriatetothescaleandintensityoftheoperations--shallbewritten,implemented,andkeptuptodate.Thelong-termobjectivesofmanagement,andthemeansofachievingthem,shallbeclearlystated.7.1.Themanagementplanandsupportingdocumentsshallprovide:a. Managementobjectives.b)descriptionofthe
forestresourcestobemanaged,environmentallimitations,landuseandownershipstatus,socio-economicconditions,andaprofileofadjacentlands.
b. Descriptionofsilviculturaland/orothermanagementsystem,basedontheecologyoftheforestinquestionandinformationgatheredthroughresourceinventories.d)Rationaleforrateofannualharvestandspeciesselection.e)
NE
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Provisionsformonitoringofforestgrowthanddynamics.f)Environmentalsafeguardsbasedonenvironmentalassessments.g)Plansfortheidentificationandprotectionofrare,threatenedandendangeredspecies.
b) h)Mapsdescribingtheforestresourcebaseincludingprotectedareas,plannedmanagementactivitiesandlandownership.i)Descriptionandjustificationofharvestingtechniquesandequipmenttobeused.
7.1.aThemanagementplanidentifiestheownershipandlegalstatusoftheFMUanditsresources,includingrightsheldbytheownerandrightsheldbyothers.
NE
7.1.bThemanagementplandescribesthehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).
C RefertoOBS2017.1.
7.1.cThemanagementplandescribes:a)currentconditionsofthetimberandnon-timberforestresourcesbeingmanaged;b)desiredfutureconditions;c)historicalecologicalconditions;andd)applicablemanagementobjectivesandactivitiestomovetheFMUtowarddesiredfutureconditions.
C RefertoOBS2017.1.
7.1.dThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofthelandscapewithinwhichtheFMUislocatedanddescribeshowlandscape-scalehabitatelementsdescribedinCriterion6.3willbeaddressed.
C RefertoOBS2017.1.
7.1.eThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlinesactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesand
naturalcommunities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityand
wildlifehabitats(seeCriterion6.3);• waterresources(seeCriterion6.5);• soilresources(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.
NC RefertoCAR2017.2.
7.1.fIfinvasivespeciesarepresent,themanagementplandescribesinvasivespeciesconditions,applicablemanagementobjectives,andhowtheywillbecontrolled(seeIndicator6.3.j).
NE
7.1.gThemanagementplandescribesinsectsanddiseases,currentoranticipatedoutbreaksonforest
NE
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conditionsandmanagementgoals,andhowinsectsanddiseaseswillbemanaged(seeCriteria6.6and6.8).7.1.hIfchemicalsareused,theplandescribeswhatisbeingused,applications,andhowthemanagementsystemconformswithCriterion6.6.
NE
7.1.iIfbiologicalcontrolsareused,themanagementplandescribeswhatisbeingused,applications,andhowthemanagementsystemconformswithCriterion6.8.
NE
7.1.jThemanagementplanincorporatestheresultsoftheevaluationofsocialimpacts,including:• traditionalculturalresourcesandrightsofuse
(seeCriterion2.1);• potentialconflictswithcustomaryusesanduse
rights(seeCriteria2.2,2.3,3.2);• managementofceremonial,archeological,and
historicsites(seeCriteria3.3and4.5);• managementofaestheticvalues(seeIndicator
4.4.a);• publicaccesstoanduseoftheforest,andother
recreationissues;• localandregionalsocioeconomicconditionsand
economicopportunities,includingcreationand/ormaintenanceofqualityjobs(seeIndicators4.1.band4.4.a),localpurchasingopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.e),andparticipationinlocaldevelopmentopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.g).
NE
7.1.kThemanagementplandescribesthegeneralpurpose,conditionandmaintenanceneedsofthetransportationnetwork(seeIndicator6.5.e).
NE
7.1.lThemanagementplandescribesthesilviculturalandothermanagementsystemsusedandhowtheywillsustain,overthelongterm,forestecosystemspresentontheFMU.
NE
7.1.mThemanagementplandescribeshowspeciesselectionandharvestratecalculationsweredevelopedtomeettherequirementsofCriterion5.6.
NE
7.1.nThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofmonitoringproceduresnecessarytoaddresstherequirementsofCriterion8.2.
NE
7.1.oThemanagementplanincludesmapsdescribingtheresourcebase,thecharacteristicsofgeneralmanagementzones,specialmanagementareas,andprotectedareasatalevelofdetailtoachievemanagementobjectivesandprotectsensitivesites.
NE
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7.1.pThemanagementplandescribesandjustifiesthetypesandsizesofharvestingmachineryandtechniquesemployedontheFMUtominimizeorlimitimpactstotheresource.
NE
7.1.qPlansforharvestingandothersignificantsite-disturbingmanagementactivitiesrequiredtocarryoutthemanagementplanarepreparedpriortoimplementation.Plansclearlydescribetheactivity,therelationshiptoobjectives,outcomes,anynecessaryenvironmentalsafeguards,healthandsafetymeasures,andincludemapsofadequatedetail.
NE
7.1.rThemanagementplandescribesthestakeholderconsultationprocess.
NE
7.2Themanagementplanshallbeperiodicallyrevisedtoincorporatetheresultsofmonitoringornewscientificandtechnicalinformation,aswellastorespondtochangingenvironmental,socialandeconomiccircumstances.
NE
7.3Forestworkersshallreceiveadequatetrainingandsupervisiontoensureproperimplementationofthemanagementplans.
NE
7.4Whilerespectingtheconfidentialityofinformation,forestmanagersshallmakepubliclyavailableasummaryoftheprimaryelementsofthemanagementplan,includingthoselistedinCriterion7.1.
NE
Principle#8:Monitoringshallbeconducted--appropriatetothescaleandintensityofforestmanagement--toassesstheconditionoftheforest,yieldsofforestproducts,chainofcustody,managementactivitiesandtheirsocialandenvironmentalimpacts.8.1Thefrequencyandintensityofmonitoringshouldbedeterminedbythescaleandintensityofforestmanagementoperations,aswellas,therelativecomplexityandfragilityoftheaffectedenvironment.Monitoringproceduresshouldbeconsistentandreplicableovertimetoallowcomparisonofresultsandassessmentofchange.
NE
8.2.Forestmanagementshouldincludetheresearchanddatacollectionneededtomonitor,ataminimum,thefollowingindicators:a)yieldofallforestproductsharvested,b)growthrates,regeneration,andconditionoftheforest,c)compositionandobservedchangesinthefloraandfauna,d)environmentalandsocialimpactsofharvestingandotheroperations,ande)cost,productivity,andefficiencyofforestmanagement.
C
8.2.a.1Forallcommerciallyharvestedproducts,an C FMEreportedthefollowing:
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inventorysystemismaintained.Theinventorysystemincludesataminimum:a)species,b)volumes,c)stocking,d)regeneration,ande)standandforestcompositionandstructure;andf)timberquality.
• GRSF—Allareasthatreceivedafinalharvestinthelast2-5yearswereinventoriedinthelastyeartomonitorandevaluateregeneration.Furthermore,allstandsproposedforregenerationharvestswereinventoriedtoevaluatepotentialforregenerationandguideprescriptionforregenerationharvestmethods.
• SRSF—Inventoryhasbeencompletedwithintheharvestableareasofthestateforest.RegenerationdatawasgatheredforallFY-18proposals.
• PGSF—Forest–wideinventorycompleted2yearsago.Regenerationmonitoringplanscallfor5yr.(growingseasons)resurveyafterharvestcompletion.1stharvestssincecompletedsinceinventoried,arecomingduethissummer.
• CF/PSF—TheCFIandforestinventoryprocedurewerecompletedin2016.Yieldtableswerecreatedfromtheinventorydata,andourforestmodelwasupdated.Regenerationsurveyshavebeenconductedonrecentharvestsites.
8.2.a.2Significant,unanticipatedremovalorlossorincreasedvulnerabilityofforestresourcesismonitoredandrecorded.Recordedinformationshallincludedateandlocationofoccurrence,descriptionofdisturbance,extentandseverityofloss,andmaybebothquantitativeandqualitative.
C FMEreportednorecenttimbertheftduringinterviewswithforestmanagers.Nonewmajorstormordiseaseeventswerereportedin2017.
8.2.bTheforestownerormanagermaintainsrecordsofharvestedtimberandNTFPs(volumeandproductand/orgrade).RecordsmustadequatelyensurethattherequirementsunderCriterion5.6aremet.
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—411,591BFsawtimber,914cordspulpwood• SRSF—941,285boardfeetand1,105cordsofpulpwood• PGSF—ByendofFY-17(June30),willhave520,937Bd.
Ft.undercontract• CF/PSF—42,293tons;646MBFMDDNRprovidesanannualTimberSaleSummary.Harvestrecordsforlump-sum,stumpage,andgatewoodsaleswereprovided.
8.2.cTheforestownerormanagerperiodicallyobtainsdataneededtomonitorpresenceontheFMUof:1) Rare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesand/or
theirhabitats;2) Commonandrareplantcommunitiesand/or
habitat;3) Location,presenceandabundanceofinvasive
species;4) Conditionofprotectedareas,set-asidesand
bufferzones;5) HighConservationValueForests(seeCriterion
C 2018:FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Woodcocksinginggroundsurvey,woodturtleand
herpetologysurveys,wildturkeypoultryproduction,beardenreproductionsurveys,bearbaitsurveys,nightjarsurvey,golden-wingedwarblersurvey,cameratrappingsurveysforspottedskunkandFrostburgUniversitystudyofblackcohosh.
• SRSF—Variousresearchprojectshavebeenongoingthroughouttheforestfocusingonaplethoraofplantandanimalcommunitiesincludingnorthernlong-earedbats,Americanchestnut,easternred-backedsalamanders,
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9.4). millipedes,golden-wingedwarblers,AlleghenywoodratsandMonardadidyma.Projectstocontrolthenon-nativeinvasivespeciesgarlicmustardandJapanesespireawereconductedintheBearPenWildlands.WildlifeandHeritageDivisionofDNRhaveongoingmonitoringforblackbears,goldeneagles,stripedskunksandAppalachiancottontails,PennsylvaniaNaturalHeritageProgramattheWesternPennsylvaniaConservancyobservanceoflichensandFrostburgStateUniversitystudyofblackcohosh.
• PGSF—DNRWildlifeandHeritageProgram’ssurveysforbothNewEnglandCottontailandSpottedSkunks,aswellasannualGoshawkNestingmonitoring,FrostburgStateUniversityinvestigatingvariousaspectsofdragonflyecologyinhighelevationwetlandsandFrostburgStateUniversitystudyofblackcohosh.
• CF/PSF—DelmarvaFoxSquirrelmonitoringbytheUSFWS,batmonitoringbySalisburyUniversity&plantcommunitymonitoringbyourWildlife&HeritageUnit.
8.2.d.1Monitoringisconductedtoensurethatsitespecificplansandoperationsareproperlyimplemented,environmentalimpactsofsitedisturbingoperationsareminimized,andthatharvestprescriptionsandguidelinesareeffective.
C TimberSaleInspectionformsaremaintainedforharvestmonitoringvisitsandfinalizedattheendofharvest.ParkerForestryServicesdemonstratedinspectionformsforthesitesvisitedin2017.ParkerForestryServicesalsodemonstratedchemicalapplicationmapsthatshowapplicationtrailsandthatprotectedareaswereavoided.
8.2.d.2Amonitoringprogramisinplacetoassesstheconditionandenvironmentalimpactsoftheforest-roadsystem.
C AForestRoadsManagementForForestOperationsonMarylandStateForestshasbeenimplemented.ThispolicycreatesasystematicinventoryoftheStateForestroadsincludingORVtrails.ThisplandocumentseachroadsegmentanddrainagefeatureinaGIS-basedidentificationsystemandallowsthedevelopmentofapriorityplanforroadmaintenanceandfeaturereplacementthatisincorporatedintoannualworkplansforeachstateforest.
8.2.d.3Thelandownerormanagermonitorsrelevantsocio-economicissues(seeIndicator4.4.a),includingthesocialimpactsofharvesting,participationinlocaleconomicopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.g),thecreationand/ormaintenanceofqualityjobopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.b),andlocalpurchasingopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.e).
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—NONE• SRSF—Five(5)trailcountershavebeeninstalled
throughouttheforesttomonitorvisitornumbersandthedataisdownloadedatregularintervals.
• PGSF—WesternStateForestshaveengagedincooperativeprojectwithFrostburgStateUniversitytocarryoutaRecreation/TourismEconomicImpactStudy,withsurveyworkslatedtobeginnowinApril2017.
• CF/PSF—Monitoringofsocialmediasitesrelatedtorecreationaltrailuse.
8.2.d.4Stakeholderresponsestomanagementactivitiesaremonitoredandrecordedasnecessary.
C Ateachstateforestacomplaintslogismaintained.Thiswasexaminedandresolutiontoeachcommentisdocumentedwhentheissuehasbeeninvestigatedandclosed.
8.2.d.5Wheresitesofculturalsignificanceexist,the C TherearenosuchsitesontheFMU.However,FMEoffered
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opportunitytojointlymonitorsitesofculturalsignificanceisofferedtotribalrepresentatives(seePrinciple3).
thisopportunitytoTribesparticipatingintheCACinthepast.Inaddition,FMEiscooperatingwiththeMDCommissionofIndianAffairsThemostsignificantchangesincethelastauditisthatmanagersintheEasternRegionhaveinitiatedcontactwithanewrecognizedtribalrepresentativeandaretryingtoattaintribalparticipationontheCAC.
8.2.eTheforestownerormanagermonitorsthecostsandrevenuesofmanagementinordertoassessproductivityandefficiency.
C FMEreportedthatCF/PSFholdsquarterly&biweeklymeetingswiththeContractManager.AllstateforestshaveweeklyBMPinspectionsofharvestingoperations.CostandrevenueismonitoredaspartoftheAWPprocess.AMPscontainasummaryofcostandrevenueinformation.EachSFhasitsownoperationalbudget.EachSFmaintainsaspreadsheetandreportsthesetostateofficesinAnnapolis.Accountingreviewsallexpenditures.
8.3Documentationshallbeprovidedbytheforestmanagertoenablemonitoringandcertifyingorganizationstotraceeachforestproductfromitsorigin,aprocessknownasthe"chainofcustody."
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8.4Theresultsofmonitoringshallbeincorporatedintotheimplementationandrevisionofthemanagementplan.
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8.5Whilerespectingtheconfidentialityofinformation,forestmanagersshallmakepubliclyavailableasummaryoftheresultsofmonitoringindicators,includingthoselistedinCriterion8.2.
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Principle#9:Managementactivitiesinhighconservationvalueforestsshallmaintainorenhancetheattributeswhichdefinesuchforests.Decisionsregardinghighconservationvalueforestsshallalwaysbeconsideredinthecontextofaprecautionaryapproach.HighConservationValueForestsarethosethatpossessoneormoreofthefollowingattributes:a) Forestareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificant:concentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.,
endemism,endangeredspecies,refugia);and/orlargelandscapelevelforests,containedwithin,orcontainingthemanagementunit,whereviablepopulationsofmostifnotallnaturallyoccurringspeciesexistinnaturalpatternsofdistributionandabundance
b) Forestareasthatareinorcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystemsc) Forestareasthatprovidebasicservicesofnatureincriticalsituations(e.g.,watershedprotection,erosioncontrol)d) Forestareasfundamentaltomeetingbasicneedsoflocalcommunities(e.g.,subsistence,health)and/orcriticalto
localcommunities’traditionalculturalidentity(areasofcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificanceidentifiedincooperationwithsuchlocalcommunities).
C9.1.AssessmenttodeterminethepresenceoftheattributesconsistentwithHighConservationValueForestswillbecompleted,appropriatetoscaleandintensityofforestmanagement.
C
9.1.a.Theforestownerormanageridentifiesand C TheDNRmaintainsaHCVFfeatureclasslayerinGISwhichis
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mapsthepresenceofHighConservationValueForests(HCVF)withintheFMUand,totheextentthatdataareavailable,adjacenttotheirFMU,inamannerconsistentwiththeassessmentprocess,definitions,datasources,andotherguidancedescribedinAppendixF.GiventherelativerarityofoldgrowthforestsinthecontiguousUnitedStates,theseareasarenormallydesignatedasHCVF,andalloldgrowthmustbemanagedinconformancewithIndicator6.3.a.3andrequirementsforlegacytreesinIndicator6.3.f.
availabletoallforestersasconfirmedintheGRSFoffice.EachSFmanagementplanincludesaresourcedescriptionandmapsofHCVFs.WhenworkistobecompletednearorinanHCVFtheAWPalsoincludesdetailedinformation.HCVFdesignationsincludeold-growthdesignations(OGEMA)andnearlyold-growthasdemonstratedbytheGRSFmanagementplansection5.2.3.Oldgrowthareasarenotpartofthemanagementzoneandareexcludedfromtimberharvest,includingsalvage,orotherphysicalalterations.TheFMEprovidesfornotonlyplanningstate-wideandSFlevelbutthemanagementsystemensuresfieldstaffincorporateidentificationintoharvestplans.Forexample,theGRSFFY2018AnnualWorkPlan(aspartoftheforestmanagementplanandisanoperationalprocessdocument),page11(TreasureRoadunit)includesidentificationofstreamswithinthemanagementareathatareconsideredHCVF.TherewesixtotalHCVFidentifiedmanagementareasidentifiedforFY2018plans.
9.1.b.Indevelopingtheassessment,theforestownerormanagerconsultswithqualifiedspecialists,independentexperts,andlocalcommunitymemberswhomayhaveknowledgeofareasthatmeetthedefinitionofHCVs.
C Asconformedthroughinterviewsanddocumentreview,thisFMEconsultedwithavarietyofexpertsonanumberofdifferentoccasionsduringthepast10yearsduringthecompletionofthisassessmentprocess.SpecialistsincludedTNCandMDDNRHeritageprogram.
9.1.c.Asummaryoftheassessmentresultsandmanagementstrategies(seeCriterion9.3)isincludedinthemanagementplansummarythatismadeavailabletothepublic.
C TheSustainableForestManagementPlanPublicSummary,forexample,forthePSFandtheGMSFwerereviewedandincludeasummaryofHCVFassessmentresultsandmanagementstrategies.
C9.2.Theconsultativeportionofthecertificationprocessmustplaceemphasisontheidentifiedconservationattributes,andoptionsforthemaintenancethereof.
C
9.2.a.TheforestownerormanagerholdsconsultationswithstakeholdersandexpertstoconfirmthatproposedHCVFlocationsandtheirattributeshavebeenaccuratelyidentified,andthatappropriateoptionsforthemaintenanceoftheirHCVattributeshavebeenadopted.
C Easternshore:Stakeholderconsultationmeetingswereheldin2006todetermineHCVFboundariesandmaintenanceoptions.WesternMD:Infallof2010staffmetwithrepresentativesfromTheNatureConservancy,NewPageandinternalexperts(Manager/MDDNRHeritageandWildlifeStaff)toformulateinitialHCVFdesignationsforthewesternforests.
9.2.b.Onpublicforests,atransparentandaccessiblepublicreviewofproposedHCVattributesandHCVFareasandmanagementiscarriedout.InformationfromstakeholderconsultationsandotherpublicreviewisintegratedintoHCVFdescriptions,delineationsandmanagement.
C EachSFMPandAWPincludeHCVFdesignationsandwaspartofamulti-stagepublicreviewprocess;eachplancontainsdetailedinformationonproposedHCV’s.Seeexampleunder9.1.a,above.
C9.3.Themanagementplanshallincludeand C
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implementspecificmeasuresthatensurethemaintenanceand/orenhancementoftheapplicableconservationattributesconsistentwiththeprecautionaryapproach.Thesemeasuresshallbespecificallyincludedinthepubliclyavailablemanagementplansummary.9.3.a.Themanagementplanandrelevantoperationalplansdescribethemeasuresnecessarytoensurethemaintenanceand/orenhancementofallhighconservationvaluespresentinallidentifiedHCVFareas,includingtheprecautionsrequiredtoavoidrisksorimpactstosuchvalues(seePrinciple7).Thesemeasuresareimplemented.
C EachSFmanagementplanincludesaresourcedescriptionandmapsofHCVFs.Allsitesinspectedin2018hadactiveHCVFlayerdatashownonmaps.WhenworkistobecompletednearorinanHCVFtheAWPalsoincludesdetailedinformation.Forexample,severalcontrolprojectsonthePGSFincludedtreatmentandfollow-uptreatmentsthatwillkeepnon-nativeinvasiveplantsfrominvadinganHCVFtomaintainvaluesandavoidrisksorimpactstoHCVs.Thetreatmentshavebeenimplementedfor5-yearconsecutiveyearsina5-7-yearprogramincludingmonitoringofresults.InanotherexampleonPGSFCompartment32,BrierRidge,MDDNRNaturalHeritagestaffassistedwithfielddelineationoftheadjacentHCVFtoavoidimpacts.AWPmapsincludedetailedmapsoftheHCVFboundary.Andinanotherexampleobservedduringthe2014auditprogram,theD14-IndiantownComplex,S5,6,7,9and10ontheCSFinvolvesaprojectforDelmarvaBayRestorationandRTEspeciesbasedonMDDNRNaturalHeritageprescriptionsandadvice.Prescribedfirewasusedin2013withafirebreakandpermanentplotstakesobserved.MDDNRNaturalHeritageflaggedtheedgeofthepool.MachineswerenotallowedintheBayPool;Heritagestaffgirdledloblollypineswithinthepool.
9.3.b.AllmanagementactivitiesinHCVFsmustmaintainorenhancethehighconservationvaluesandtheextentoftheHCVF.
C EachSFMPdescribesthemanagementactivitieswithinHCVFs.Forexample,theGRSFplanstates“managementprescriptionswillfocusonenhancingandprotectingthedesignatedESA.SeeChapter7oftheplanfordetailedexplanationsonthetypeofmanagementactivityrecommendedforeachzoneandforthespecificdefinitionandprescriptionforeachESAcategory.ESAshavebeendesignatedasHighConservationValueForest(HCVF)…”Managementactivitiesobservedduringthis2014auditprogramwithinornearHCVFsaredescribedaboveandelsewhereinthisreportandconfirmtherequirementsofthissectionaswellasconformancetomanagementplanrequirements.
9.3.c.IfHCVFattributescrossownershipboundariesandwheremaintenanceoftheHCVattributeswouldbeimprovedbycoordinatedmanagement,thentheforestownerormanagerattemptstocoordinateconservationeffortswithadjacentlandowners.
C FMEroutinelycoordinatesmanagementacrossownershipboundaries.AnexampleofthejointmanagementwithWildlifeDivisionpersonnelwasobservedatthe2018sitePG-2016-S-04whichwasajointGoshawkmanagementsite.Goshawkspreferlargecanopytreeswithanopenunderstoryforhuntingaspartofcriticalhabitatfeatures.Forestrydivisionstaffworkedcollaborativelytoremoveunder-andmid-storywoodystemstoopenflightlanesforGoshawkhuntinginthisstand.
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9.4Annualmonitoringshallbeconductedtoassesstheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedtomaintainorenhancetheapplicableconservationattributes.
C
9.4.aTheforestownerormanagermonitors,orparticipatesinaprogramtoannuallymonitor,thestatusofthespecificHCVattributes,includingtheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedfortheirmaintenanceorenhancement.ThemonitoringprogramisdesignedandimplementedconsistentwiththerequirementsofPrinciple8.
C FMEreportedthatitsWildlife&HeritageUnitcontinuestomonitorESAspostrestorationtreatmentonhighprioritysites.DNRFisheriesdoregularBrooktroutmonitoringinSFstreams,MarylandBiologicalStreamSurveyhasdatacollectionpointsonseveralstreams(allinHCVFstreambuffers),MDMarylandDepartmentofAgricultureHemlockWoolyAdelgidprotectioneffortsaremonitoredbyMDAforeffectiveness,mostofthesestandsarewithinHCVFareas,includingthe50ft.streambuffers.FMEhasonlyreportedonactivitiesrelatedtothemanagementofsignificantconcentrationsofRTEspecies,suchastheDelmarvaFoxSquirrel.WhilemanyHCVsrelyonpassivemanagementapproaches,NaturalHeritagestaffconductannualreviewsoftheseareasbasedonasamplingprotocol.PublicationsonFrostedElfinbutterflyhabitatwereprovidedasevidenceofmonitoringofthissignificantconcentrationofRTEspeciespopulation.
9.4.bWhenmonitoringresultsindicateincreasingrisktoaspecificHCVattribute,theforestowner/managerre-evaluatesthemeasurestakentomaintainorenhancethatattribute,andadjuststhemanagementmeasuresinanefforttoreversethetrend.
C FMEhasnotreportedanyincreasingriskstospecificHCVattributesundertheircontrol.
APPENDICESAPPENDIXC:REGIONALLIMITSANDOTHERGUIDELINESONOPENINGSIZES,Indicator6.3.g.1ThisAppendixcontainsregionalIndicatorsandguidancepertinenttomaximumopeningsizesandotherguidelinesfordeterminingsizeopeningsandretention.TheseIndicatorsarerequirementsbasedonFSC-USregionaldelineationsAPPALACHIAREGION6.3.g.1.aWheneven-agedsilviculture(e.g.,seedtree,regularorirregularshelterwood),ordefermentcuttingisemployed,livetreesandnativevegetationareretainedandopeningsizesarecreatedwithintheharvestunitinaproportionandconfigurationthatisconsistentwiththecharacteristicnaturaldisturbanceregimeineachcommunitytype,unlessretentionatalowerlevelisnecessaryforrestorationorrehabilitationpurposes.Harvestopeningswithnoretentionarelimitedto10acres.Guidance:Even-agesilvicultureisusedonlywherenaturallyoccurringspeciesaremaintainedorenhanced.Retentionwithinharvestunitscaninclude
C Numerousexampleswereobservedduringthe2018auditoflivetreeandnativevegetationretention.MDDNRconsistentlyandroutinelyusedbothdispersedandclumpedretentionofrepresentativedominantandco-dominantspecies.Exampleswereconfirmedofpreferentiallyleavinghighqualitysnagspeciesandthoseofotherwildlifequalityvalue(suchasmastbearingoakspecies).NeitherchemicaltreatmentsforsitepreparationnorplantingwasobservedinWesternregionduringthe2018audit.Thus,thesesitesretainednativevegetationinthestandsexamined.Silviculturemethodsusedwereconsistentwithlandhistorycharacteristicsandsilvicalrequirementsofnativetreespecies
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riparianandstreamsidebuffersandotherspecialzones.Inaddition,desirableoverstoryandunderstoryspeciesmayberetainedoutsideofbuffersorspecialzoneswhileallowingforregenerationofshade-intolerantandintermediatespeciesconsistentwithoverallmanagementprincipals.Wherestandshavebeendegraded,lessretentioncanbeusedtoimprovebothmerchantableandnon-merchantableattributes.
occurringandbeingmaintainedonsites.Noharvestopeningsgreaterthan10acreswereobservedandallharvestareaswithriparianfeaturesretainedbuffersasprovidedinstateBMPswithseveralexamplesthatexceededrequirements.Theseareasweregenerallytreatedasnocut/noequipment.
6.3.g.1.bWhenunevenagesilviculturaltechniquesareused(e.g.,individualtreeselectionorgroupselection),canopyopeningsarelessthan2.5acres.Applicabilitynote:Unevenagesilviculturaltechniquesareusedwhentheymaintainorenhancetheoverallspeciesrichnessandbiologicdiversity,regenerate-shadetolerantorintermediate-tolerantspecies,and/orprovidesmallcanopyopeningstoregenerateshade-intolerantandintermediatespecies.Uneven-agetechniquesaregenerallyusedtodevelopforestswithatleastthreeageclasses.Unevenagesilvicultureisemployedtopreventhigh-gradingand/ordiameterlimitcutting.
C Foruneven-agedstandstherewerenogapsobservedthatweregreaterthan2.5acres.Gapsweredesignedforreleasingexistingregeneration,promotingregeneration,salvagepurposes,oroperationalefficiencies.Seesitenotes.
Appendix6–ChainofCustodyIndicatorsforFMEs
ChainofCustodyindicatorswerenotevaluatedduringthisannualaudit.X