Timber harvesting activities should be conducted carefully, especially on steeper slopes and near streams, lakes, sinkholes, wetlands or other waterbodies. When harvesting timber in close proximity to a waterbody, follow the specific criteria provided in the Special Management Zones section of this manual. Depending on conditions, timber harvesting in these areas may be significantly limited.
BMPs for Timber Harvesting
Skid Trails
- Locate skid trails along the contour whenever practical to promote revegetation and reduce soil erosion. If skidding must be done up or down the slope, the operator should skid uphill and avoid long, continuous skid trails.
- After skidding activities are complete, stabilize skid trails where necessary by installing water bars or similar structures at recommended intervals - Seeding and fertilizing skid trails will accelerate stabilization on erodible soils and/or steep slopes.
- When skidding in muck or peat (organic) soils such as in swamps, bogs or similar wetlands, concentrate skidding to as few trails as possible - this will confine soil compaction to small areas.
- When skidding on mineral soils, such as in uplands, skidding should be dispersed so that soil compaction is minimal even in individual trails.
- Keep main skid trails out of all Special Management Zones except to approach a designated crossing.
Slash Disposal
- In order to allow natural, unrestricted water flow and to protect the water’s nutrient balance:
- Logging slash, such as tops and limbs, which are incidental to timber harvesting activities may be left in place, as long as such material is not left in a waterbody.
- Remove logging slash from all waterbodies including both intermittent and perennial streams, lakes and sinkholes.
- Do not pile or push logging slash into cypress ponds or strands, swamps, marshes, grassy ponds, or waterbodies such as streams, lakes, sinkholes or similar water resource features.
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