Note: Ditching and drainage activities as well as the placement of fill material in wetlands generally requires a permit from regulatory agencies. Individuals engaged in such activities are advised to contact the appropriate agency for specific guidance
(Appendices 13 and 14). In addition, state water quality standards may apply to wetlands that are connected to streams, lakes, or other waterbodies.
Note: Typically, cypress planting is not necessary on a large scale basis; however, where site conditions or other factors conducive to natural regeneration of stands are limited, planting of cypress seedlings may augment reforestation efforts.
(1) Retaining isolated wetlands that have the following characteristics may improve the habitat value for wetland dependent species within the landscape:
Intermittent surface water
Wetland margin dominated by native wetland plants
High species and age class diversity in standing timber
Presence of snags and den trees
Unique plant communities
Where natural hydrology is least disturbed
Mat (Shovel) Logging –
- Minimize the width of skid trail mats – mats should not exceed 20 feet in width, on the average, except for sections of the trail where it is necessary for equipment to pass – in these sections the minimum width may be doubled.
- Minimize the number of skid trail mats – typically, trails should not be spaced closer than 200 feet, on the average. Where conditions prohibit tracked machines from operating off the mat, spacing may be reduced to 50 feet in order to minimize site disturbance. However, under no conditions should skid trail mats exceed 25% of the harvest area.
- Timber for skid trail mats should be laid down in the direction of the trail under normal conditions.
- Use only one layer of timber for skid trial mats, except where multiple layers are necessary to prevent site disturbance.
- Where multiple layers of timber are necessary to construct the skid trail mat, the bottom layer may be laid down perpendicular to the trail, and may exceed 20 feet in width to maximize weight distribution.
- Merchantable material in skid trail mats should be removed after logging operation is complete.
- For stream crossings with skid trail mats, refer to the stream crossing section of the BMP Manual.
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