Standards for Certification of DRAFTWOOD
Environmentally Sensitively Harvested Forest Products
APPALACHIAN REGION
1. This is the Stewardship we practice. A written, preharvest plan
shall appraise the woodland quality, diversity and volume appropriate
for a balanced, many aged management harvest method, through “worst
first”, single tree selection. The plan shall include removing
or felling deformed trees that inhibit quality development. The plan
shall specify retention of high quality trees of each species sufficient
for regeneration, by superior seedlings. Any obvious den trees and some
standing dead trees are retained for wildlife habitat. The goal is stewardship
such that reasonable recovery may result in timber size, quality and
diversity (as well as bio-diversity) 10-30 years after the harvest that
resembles or improves the size, diversity and quality prior to the harvest.
The plan shall anticipate producing a healthy and aesthetically pleasing
forest throughout the harvest period by lopping debris low to the ground
and keeping topsoil in place.
2. Planning, harvesting site preparation, and management, shall conform
in all respects to the Va. Dept. of Forestry, Best Management Practices
for Water Quality.
3. Wherever possible, skid trails shall be constructed on the contour
of the land and log landings placed to keep vehicles outside of the
forest or on existing roads. If new roads or landings must be placed
within the forest, they shall be well engineered, aesthetic and designed
for repeated use by subsequent generations.
4. Trees selected shall be individually marked for felling with tracer
paint prior to the cut and according to the plan, and volume assessed.
Trees will be felled with directional felling (open faced, hinge &
latch technique) with consideration for the protection of the remaining
growing trees.
5. The skidding of logs shall be accomplished with a low impact power
source. This means animal power (horse, mules, oxen, etc.) using some
form of front-end suspension (arch, sled, cone, etc.) to protect the
topsoil, unless another power source achieves superior environmental
protection in a specific situation identified in the harvest plan.
6. Selective felling in the forest shall be confined to the dormant
season, to reduce damage to remaining trees and for reasons of safety,
unless specific exceptions are granted by the inspecting certification
agent for particular trees or particular sites for specified reasons.
7. Biotic health and diversity will be protected by leaving obvious
den trees, removing debris from drainage courses, and reseeding landings
and any other exposed mineral soils.
8. Both landowner and logger will subscribe to these standards for
the proposed harvest and will require the inclusion of these standards,
by reference, in the contract between them in order to be certified.
The needs, wishes and aesthetic appreciation of the landowner are an
important part of the woodland ecology and should be accommodated in
the design and accomplishment of the harvest.
9. The plan shall be reviewed prior to harvest and the site inspected
during and after harvest by an agent of the certifying agency. This
agent shall have the responsibility of accounting for the volume removed,
adherence to the standards, and establishment of the chain of custody
for certified sensitively harvested materials through the use of tracer
paint and small end coating of logs. The agent will be responsible for
written documentation of the harvest plan accomplishment and pertinent
observations.
10. These standards may be amended and modified to accomplish the control
necessary to verify the integrity of the marketing process. Agents of
the certifying agency shall have a written agreement defining their
commitment to this environmentally sensitive timber harvesting method.
All sites will be available for public inspection upon request.
11. The ethical and humane treatment of the working animals employed
to accomplish low impact sensitive extraction of logs is understood
and integral to the process. These animal partners are to be nurtured
and their care and management should be a kind master relationship and
not abusive. Minimal conditions shall include:
a. A shelter shall be provided that includes three sides. A loafing
area that allows free movement is appropriate for days off work.
b. All working animals shall have free choice hay when not working.
c. All working animals shall have free choice mineralized salt when
not working.
d. All working animals shall have all the water they will drink at
least three times daily.
e. All working animals should not work for longer than eight (8)
hours in a twenty-four (24) hour period. It is recommended that they
have (1) one pound of grain per (100) one hundred pounds of body weight,
when working full time, fed in two equal feedings, daily.
f. All working animals will receive veterinary care when necessary.
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