with flowing water. Roads constructed at ground level are less likely to restrict flowing water.
• Do not construct permanent roads in wetlands except to serve large and frequently used areas, provide access for a crossing, or provide fire protection.
• When crossing wetlands, insure that fill roads are properly and adequately culverted and do not act to impound or divert normal stormflow, flood flow or sheet flow (see Stream Crossings).
Harvesting
• For harvesting timber in wetlands: wetland area means the acres of each contiguous wetland within a contiguous ownership; selectively cut means to harvest in accordance with the Management Criteria for the Primary Zone of the SMZ (see Special Management Zones); leave trees are large, mast producing and/or cavity trees that represent the older age classes within the stand.
For stands where cypress trees are predominant, cypress trees should be selected for leave trees to the extent that safety and harvesting operations allow, and the number of leave trees per acre should be the upper limit of the ranges listed below. In addition, pond cypress trees should be cut at a point on the stem that approximates the average high water mark (except for skid trails or roads). The average high water mark can usually be identified the water stain line, the lichen line or the area at which the stem begins to swell (buttress).
A) Harvesting in a wetland area less than 200 acres must meet the following criteria:
1) retain all snags within the wetland area, to the extent that safety and harvesting operations allow; and,
2a) retain at least 3 to 5 leave trees per acre: if a wetland flow-way is present, leave trees should be left along it’s center line; otherwise leave trees should be randomly distributed throughout the wetland; or,
b) retain at least 10% of the harvest area as selectively cut the 10% area may be left anywhere on-site. However, for wetlands with a well defined stream, an SMZ (as specified in the SMZ section) will be required for the stream, and may be used as part or all of the 10%; for flowing wetlands the 10% should be left along the center line of the wetland flow-way to the greatest extent possible.
Note: 2b) is the preferred option where it is applicable
B) Harvesting in a wetland area 200 acres and larger must meet the following criteria:
1) retain all snags within the wetland area, to the extent that safety and harvesting operations allow; and,
2) retain at least 1 to 2 leave trees per acre: leave trees should be left
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