Objective 7. Efficient Use of Forest Resources. to Promote the Efficient Use of Forest

Objective 7. Efficient Use of Forest Resources. to Promote the Efficient Use of Forest

Objective 7. Efficient Use of Forest Resources. To promote the efficient use of forest resources.

Performance Measure 7.1. Program Participants shall employ appropriate forest harvesting technology and in-woods manufacturing processes and practices to minimize waste

and ensure efficient utilization of harvested trees, where consistent with other SFI Standard objectives.

Indicator:

1. Program or monitoring system to ensure efficient utilization, which may include provisions to ensure:

a. management of harvest residue (e.g. slash, limbs, tops) considers economic, social and environmental factors (e.g. organic and nutrient value to future forests) and other utilization needs;

  • This indicator is strongly linked to visual quality, water quality, and biodiversity and forest productivity objectives – mention these relationships.
  • You should note things you’re doing to keep the yards clear of harvest residue, like taking slash back in the woods to armor trails.
  • In Maine, the major potential productivity impact from removing harvest residues from the forest may occur on extremely dry gravely soils, soils shallow to bedrock or extremely wet soils. These limitations may be overcome by either not removing slash from these soils or returning slash from the yard.
  • And of course the use of slash for stabilizing soils is a key use that you should note as well. Outside of these considerations, you should note how you are using the available harvest residuals, such as slash for salable products.
  • Mention that you are leaving behind habitat elements such as woody debris, snags, den trees etc.

b. training or incentives to encourage loggers to enhance utilization;

  • You will be expected to train your loggers to enhance utilization. Usually this means products are extracted for their highest and best use.
  • Training can be formal or informal; can be conducted on the yard site before harvests commence or could be structured classroom training. Make sure to document that training took place.
  • An incentive like paying more per unit for high value products is good evidence of compliance.
  • Any process you use to increase utilization such as a concentration yard also is good evidence for this indicator.
  • Contractors must be conversant on the specifications of products they are expected to extract.

c. cooperation with mill managers for better utilization of species and low-grade material;

  • Visitations with your contractors to mills to observe processing requirements or having the mill representatives come on site to view your utilization procedures are ways to meet this indicator

d. exploration of markets for underutilized species and low-grade wood and alternative markets (e.g. bioenergy markets); or

  • Maintain evidence of your effort to market this type of material. There are still sections of Maine (biomass west of the Allagash River, where certain products have no marketable value.).

e. periodic inspections and reports noting utilization and product separation.

  • Participants really need an inspection report to documents their involvement with contractors to extract the highest value products. These reports need to be specific as to time, results, and remedial action if required. (such as penalties)
  • These inspections can take place at any stage of the process such as delivery points or in the woods. Some go to the extreme to unloading loaded trucks to check utilization.
  • Documentation of the yield you are getting off of the harvest such as veneer, saw logs, pulpwood and biomass can be helpful, especially if you have good documentation of what was on site to start with.
  • Product specification sheets should be in the hands of your contractors and updated timely.
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