Although site preparation activities are part of the reforestation operation, these activities can temporarily create large areas of bare soil. Depending on soil types and slope, mechanical site preparation in particular, may have the potential for significant erosion and sedimentation. For these reasons, mechanical site preparation may be restricted or prohibited near streams, lakes, sinkholes and other waterbodies. When conducting site preparation activities near surface waters, follow the specific criteria provided in the Special Management Zone section of this manual.
BMPs for Site Preparation and Planting
- Plan site preparation and planting procedures prior to timber harvesting activities.
- Select only the site preparation techniques that are necessary to establish seedlings and minimize vegetative competition - do not needlessly disturb the ground surface or expose the topsoil.
- Do not conduct mechanical site preparation within any part of the Special Management Zone.
- Do not conduct intensive mechanical site preparation such as bedding, raking and windrowing in wetlands.
- When chopping, pull chopper perpendicular to a waterbody to orient soil indentations along the contour (not necessary if chopping is followed by bedding or if the waterbody is separated from the chopped area by windrows or a similar barrier to overland flow).
- Arrange windrows and soil beds parallel to a waterbody or wetland in order to provide a barrier to overland flow, prevent concentration of runoff and reduce erosion.
- When using a blade to shear, push, or pile debris, keep the blade above the soil surface. This will minimize erosion and facilitate rapid site recovery and tree growth.
- Do not pile or push logging slash into cypress ponds or strands, swamps, marshes, grassy ponds, or waterbodies such as streams, lakes or similar water resource features.
- Do not conduct site preparation burning within the SMZ when slopes are greater than 18%.
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