Virginia Department of Forestry

Pre-Harvest Plan

Landowner:

Address:

Tract/Stand Number:

Acreage:

Harvest Type:

Location:

Prepared Date:

Prepared By:

This Pre-harvest Plan has been prepared to assist in the planned timber harvest on this tract to adhere to Virginia’s Silvicultural Water Quality Law (Code of Virginia §10.1-1181.1 through 10.1-1181.7) and Virginia's "Debris in Streams" Law (Code of Virginia §62.1-194.2). This plan does not relieve the owners and operators from their responsibility under these laws. Any agreements between the logger and landowner should be discussed and included in the timber contract. It is the responsibility of the involved parties to determine the boundary lines before the harvest. Any boundary lines drawn on attached maps are for illustrative purposes only.

The recommendations within this plan follow the guidelines outlined within the Virginia Department of Forestry's “Virginia’s Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality Technical Manual” (Fifth Edition) (BMP Manual).

The utilization of best management practices (BMPs) is a good stewardship ethic and it helps protect soil and water quality. The locations of planned haul roads, landings, skid trails, culverts and other constructed features necessary for timber harvesting are approximate. The need for and location of these BMPs will depend upon the characteristics of the site, type of harvest and capability of the logging operator. The plan may be modified through consultation with local DOF water quality staff. Any changes to this plan must also meet BMP Manual standards and should be noted in an amended plan. It is the responsibility of the involved parties to obtain any permits related to entrances and road use. Any utility lines that need to be located or moved prior to logging should be done so by contacting the proper agency.

This plan includes site-specific details related to the tract. See the Appendix for a summary of general BMP recommendations and references to the BMP Manual.

SITE-SPECIFIC HARVEST RECOMMENDATIONS (see attached map):

All site-specific details should be outlined by qualified personnel and should include specific BMPs needed during and after the harvest operation. The level of detail should be determined by the plan preparer on a case-by-case basis. These site-specific details are in addition to the general BMP recommendations noted in the Appendix, which should be utilized for all harvests.

An accurate Harvest Site Map including harvest boundaries, logging decks, road and trail locations, water bodies, and stream crossings and associated streamside management zones must be included for every harvest. It is acceptable to utilize USGS quad maps, computer generated maps or accurate hand- drawn maps.

Haul Roads

Landings/Log Decks

Skid Trails

Stream Crossings

Streamside Management Zones (SMZs)

Any disturbance or construction associated with the haul road, skid trails, landing/log deck and stream crossings within the SMZ requires a non-erodible working surface as soon as construction is complete. This non-erodible surface shall be maintained during the harvest, through harvest completion, and beyond. A non-erodible, stabilized surface shall be sufficient: brush matting, brush dams, application of clean stone, seed and mulch, another stabilizing medium, or a combination of these to prevent sediment from reaching the stream channel. Any disturbed soils within the SMZ, such as outcast, fill, cut banks, etc., shall be stabilized as soon as construction is complete. The stabilization of these areas shall be maintained throughout the harvest and beyond.

Post-Harvest Soil Stabilization and Revegetation

Additional BMPs

Special Considerations

Contact MISS UTILITY to prevent possible damage to underground utility lines. Call 1-800-552-7001 or 811.

It is the responsibility of the involved parties to determine the boundary lines before the harvest. Any boundary lines drawn on attached maps are for illustrative purposes only.

It is the responsibility of the involved parties to obtain any permits related to entrances through the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) or local planning and zoning office, and large stream crossings through the Virginia Marine Resources Commission (VMRC) or U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).

APPENDIX: GENERAL BMP RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ALL HARVESTS

Haul Roads

Layout

Follow the contour as much as possible with grades between 2% and 10% when establishing new haul roads. Vary road grades frequently to help reduce road surface erosion and out-slope whenever road gradient will permit. To help ensure proper road surface drainage, construct roads on the sides of ridges. Locate haul roads outside of the SMZ unless no other alternative exists. Approaches to stream crossings should be stabilized with suitable material. Roads should be day-lighted (shade removed) to aid in drying the road surface where possible. Road should be wide enough to provide for safe passage. Install mats, rock or other suitable material when access road intersects public road(s) and ensure that any required permitting for State Highway access is attained prior to access installation. Maintain drainage systems along haul road(s).

More information on haul roads can be found on pages 17-21 and 100 in the BMP Manual.

Broad-Based Dips/Rolling Dips

Properly spaced and constructed broad-based dips are designed to maintain haul roads. A broad-based dip is a water diversion structure that diverts surface water off the road while allowing vehicles to maintain normal travel speeds. Broad-based dips are effective for grades up to 12%. A broad-based dip is a 20-foot-long, 3% reverse grade constructed into the existing roadbed. The outslope of the broad-based dip should be 2% to 3%. On some soils, the dip and reverse grade section may require 3 inches of crushed stone to avoid rutting the road surface.

More information on broad-based dips and their spacing can be found on pages 105-107 in the BMP Manual.

Ditches and Turnouts

It is important to maintain all ditching as needed along roads and to turn ditches out into the surrounding landscape with turnouts or wing ditches. Be sure the turnouts or wing ditches do not direct the runoff into areas that have the potential to cause erosion and sedimentation. It is also important to direct this water along the contour and avoid pointing concentrated water flow straight down steep slopes or directly at a water body. Regular ditch cleaning is required to maintain water flow away from the road. Extra care must be taken to turn ditch water out well above stream crossings to prevent sedimentation.

More information on ditches and turn outs can be found on pages 19, 36, 100, 102-103 in the BMP Manual.

Water Bars

Upon completion of harvesting and/or road use, water bars could be installed as needed if the road will no longer be subjected to regular use. Water bars can make road use difficult and should only be installed in areas subject to erosion and on slopes 2% and greater that have no other erosion protection in place. Properly spaced and constructed water bars will help maintain the road template after the harvest. Water bars control water in small amounts and prevent excessive erosion by diverting surface runoff from the road surfaces into ditches and/or the surrounding landscape. Water bars should have a 30–45-degree angle to the road and cross the entire length of the road. The uphill end of the water bar should be tied into the bank and the outlet should extend slightly beyond the road and be open. The water bar should have a 2% outslope and be at least 1 foot in height. Soil should be compacted on water bars and gravel or vegetation should be utilized to protect the bars. Do not direct water directly down steep slopes or directly at a water body.

More information on water bars and spacing guidelines can be found on pages 108-109 in the BMP Manual.

Landings/Log Decks

These are the areas where logs are concentrated, processed, sorted and loaded for trucking. Locate landings/decks outside of SMZs and in an area that is well-drained and flat or gently sloping. Landings should be located prior to road construction to minimize skid trails. The size of the landings should be kept as small as possible; ¼ to ½ acre is usually adequate. Capture all equipment fluids and trash, and dispose of properly. Proper closeout BMPs often include scarification followed by lime, fertilizer and seed covered with adequate straw mulch. In many cases the deck is covered with slash or chips and other woody debris found on site. It is also important that decks on slopes have appropriate drainage structures to move water off the deck and reduce erosion and sedimentation risk.

More information on landings can be found on pages 48-49 in the BMP Manual.

Skid Trails

Layout

A skid trail is a temporary unsurfaced trail used to facilitate the transport of wood products from the forest to the landing. Trails should be located to minimize damage to the residual stand, reduce erosion and provide for the most economical method of harvesting. Trail grades should be less than 15% and not exceed 35% for a short distance. Skid trails should be located outside of SMZs.

More information on skid trails can be found on pages 46-48 and 101 in the BMP Manual.

Water Bars

Upon completion of skidding, water bars should be installed immediately in areas subject to erosion and on slopes 2% and greater. Properly spaced and constructed water bars will maintain the skid trails both during and after the harvest. Water bars control water in small amounts and prevent excessive erosion by diverting surface runoff from the skid trails into the surrounding landscape. Water bars should have a 30–45-degree angle to the road and cross the entire length of the road. The uphill end of the water bar should be tied into the bank and the outlet should extend slightly beyond the road and be open. The water bar should have a 2% outslope and be at least 1 foot in height. Compact the soil on water bars and establish a permanent vegetative cover on exposed soil.

More information on water bars and spacing guidelines can be found on pages 108-109 in the BMP Manual.

Slash Mats

Scatter or pile logging slash on trails as appropriate and compact it with equipment traffic to enhance soil stability and reduce runoff. Slash matts are often utilized during the operation as equipment can often operate over the matts preventing site damage and soil erosion. This method is particularly useful on slopes near stream crossings and on wet ground that is susceptible to rutting. Do not remove functioning slash matts to build water bars and seed unless it is necessary to prevent erosion and sedimentation or to meet some other objective. Research indicates that slash is a very effective BMP and reduces erosion as much as well-established vegetation.

More information on slash mats can be found on pages 46-47 in the BMP Manual.

Stream Crossings

Stream crossings are the points where haul roads and skid trails intersect a stream channel, and they have the potential to adversely affect water quality by exposing soil at or near streams. It is well known that road networks accumulate and deliver water and sediment to streams. Crossings should be limited and located where the least amount of impact results. Bridges are the preferred method for crossing streams and should be installed at right angles to the stream and maintain at least 5 feet of bridge/ground contact on each side. Rock haul road approaches and brush skid trail approaches should extend a minimum of 50 feet from the stream bank. Retired roads/trails should be stabilized with vegetation or non-erodible surface. It is often appropriate to leave slash matts behind and in some cases add new matts as a closeout BMP. Logs shall not be dragged through any stream for any reason. Pipe sizes for stream crossings are available in the BMP Manual or from DOF. Close out stream crossings by establishing vegetation and/or sediment retention structures, and packing slash where appropriate.

The guidelines set forth in the BMP Manual for stream crossing installations on pages 39-45 should be followed.

Streamside Management Zones (SMZs)

Areas adjacent to streams, lakes, ponds, natural springs and municipal water supplies are important to the protection of water quality. SMZs should be a minimum of 50 feet in width on each side of the stream, measured from the top of the stream bank. Within this area, up to 50% of the forest canopy can be harvested. There should be a minimum amount of disturbance within the SMZ, leaving the forest floor essentially undisturbed. Keep loading decks, haul roads and skid trails as far away from SMZs as possible.

Not only does the SMZ help protect stream quality, but it also makes most landowners eligible for the Virginia Riparian Buffer Tax Credit Program. This is a non-refundable tax credit for retaining buffers associated with the harvesting of timber. The amount of the credit is equal to 25% of the value of the timber retained as a buffer up to $17,500 in the tax year in which the harvesting operation was completed. Refer to the DOF website for more information about the Riparian Buffer Tax Credit Program.

More information on SMZs can be found on pages 35-39 in the BMP Manual.

Post-Harvest Soil Stabilization and Revegetation

Upon the completion of the harvest, all temporary roads, trails and log decks should be reclaimed properly. The skid trails should be smoothed, outsloped and water barred. Water bars are needed on grades 2% and greater. The construction of the water bars should be so that a vehicle can travel over them. All grades 5% and greater should be seeded with an appropriate seed for the season at the recommended rate. Mulch may be needed on the steeper areas and areas in full sunlight.

The landings should be smoothed and sloped to allow for proper drainage. Butt-offs should be piled neatly, and all trash disposed of properly. The area should then be seeded with appropriate seed for the season at the recommended rate and mulched.

The haul road should be smoothed and outsloped if needed. Broad-based dips or some type of water diversion structure should then be installed. The road should be seeded with an appropriate seed for the season at the recommended rate and mulched or graveled.

The stream crossings (if there are any) should be left in a manner which allows the stream to flow freely. The stream crossing approaches should have broad-based dips installed and a non-erodible surface of either vegetation or gravel for a minimum of 50 feet or to the top of the grade (whichever is greater) on each side.

Additional harvest closure recommendations can be found on pages 50-51 and recommendations for the type of seed and application rates can be found on pages 151-157 in the BMP Manual.

Additional BMPs

Maintenance of the haul road, stream crossings (if there are any), log decks and skid trails is critical. Grade roads and trails, and maintain water diversion structures. Keep a clean layer of rock or non-erodible running surface on the stream crossings and their approaches. During the harvest and especially during periods of inactivity or heavy rain forecast, install temporary water diversion structures on the haul road and skid trails.

Special Considerations

Cold water fisheries and municipal water supplies may require extended SMZs and other practices to further reduce the likelihood of pollution impacts. More information can be found on pages 15 and 35-37 in the BMP Manual.

Hazards, such as steep slopes, rock outcrops, unstable soils and erosion gullies, may need to be mapped and located on the ground to avoid dangerous situations for equipment operators.

Specific site conditions may make conventional timber harvesting impractical. Very steep sites and very wet sites in Virginia often require modifications to prevent excessive site damage.