2017/18 Reforestation Plan

Transcription

1 /18 Reforestation Plan for Development Corp LP, F-26. Abstract A report prepared and submitted annually by Tolko Industries, and Norbord for Development Corp LP., to summarize plans and implementation for silvicultural practices that result in reforested stands that meet yield curve assumptions and management objectives of the Forest Management Plan. The Reforestation Plan articulates in detail the activities within the timber year for Alberta to authorize forest management activities. Submission: November 2, 2017

2 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS 6 REFORESATION PLAN SILVICULTURE PRESCRIPTION SILVICULTURE TREATMENT SCHEDULE Silviculture System Site Assessments Site Preparation Snow Cache Seed Collection and Inventory Access Planting Camps Planting Establishment Survey Performance Survey MAPS PROPOSED BLOCKS FOR DECLARATION IN LIEU OF SURVEY AND RE-TREATMENT STRATA BALANCING REPORTING APPENDICES Silviculture Treatment Schedule Scarification Record Strata Balancing TABLE OF TABLES TABLE 6-1: SILVICULTURE PRESCRIPTION MATRIX TABLE OF APPENDICES APPENDIX 6-1: SILVICULTURE TREATMENT SCHEDULE APPENDIX 6-2: SCARIFICATION RECORD APPENDIX 6-3: STRATA BALANCING Submission: November 2, 2017 i

3 6 REFORESATION PLAN The implementation of reforestation activities will follow the Forest Harvest Plan and Annual Operating Plan commitments and conditions and the Operating Ground Rules. Spatial data in the As Built Plan submitted prior to August 31 st, may supersede information provided in the Reforestation Plan (i.e. block areas may be adjusted based off cut over photography). Silviculture Prescription The Silviculture matrix below outlines the regeneration path for an opening. Table 6-1: Silviculture Prescription Matrix Stratum Density (stem/ha) Understory Protection Activity C-Sw Yes Planting C-P Yes Planting C-Sb Yes Planting CD-Sw Yes Planting CD-P Yes Planting CD-Sb Yes Planting DC-S Yes Planting DC-P Yes Planting D Yes Planting N/A N/A Submission: November 2,

4 Silviculture Treatment Schedule Proposed reforestation activities for each harvest area is listed in Appendix 6-1. The following provides a summary of each treatment Silviculture System An even-aged, clear-cut silviculture system is utilized, with understory protection in broad cover groups C, CD, and DC, and avoidance techniques used in broad cover group D Site Assessments Site Preparation Assessments are completed in the month of harvest as winter road access is seasonal only. Focus is in C and CD leading strata. Scarification generally occurs within three months of harvest. Vegetation Site Assessments are completed aerially with a helicopter to evaluate the competition from grass and deciduous plants which may be impacting seedling survival within a regenerating harvest area. These assessments are planned for 4 years from skid clearance. Competition impact on crop trees are assessed with adversely impacted sites becoming part of the aerial stand tending program. Openings assessed to not be adversely affected by competition are re evaluated between years Site Preparation aration equipment will be cleaned and free of restricted and noxious weeds or plant parts before arriving on a job site. All agriculture implements or any equipment knowingly exposed to weeds are to be pressure washed prior to use in forested areas as per the Operating Ground Rules and the Directive for Weed Management ( ). Blocks with scheduled site preparation activities during the 2017/18 timber year is unavailable at the time of this Reforestation Plan submission. Blocks included in the Annual Operating Plan - Section 2: Operating Schedule within broad cover groups C, CD, and DC may have site preparation activities occurring during the winter season. There are two methods of site preparation used. The objective of both methods is to expose mineral soil and create a suitable microsite for subsequent reforestation activities. These microsites will have a mineral soil hinge along the sides of the furrow which is where a seedling is planted the following season. Equipment typically follows a direction perpendicular to the access and parallel with watercourses. The following is a brief description of the methods highlighting productivity and applicability for use based on sites and objectives to assist with making prescriptions in the field to ensure that the most appropriate piece of equipment is used for the block: Cat Rip is conducted with a D9 dozer outfitted with a specialized Ripper Plow on the rear. As the dozer traverses across the block, the plow is lowered into the ground using hydraulics and is pulled behind the machine. As the machine plows across the block it rips into the forest floor displacing the duff layer to the left and right of the furrow. Hoe Rip is conducted with an excavator using the same style of plow used in the Cat Rip method. The boom is extended out and it then is pulled back towards the machine with the plow in the forest floor ripping through the duff layers and turning over mineral soil. The rip that is produced is significantly smaller in length and quite often in depth as well when compared to a cat rip. Sometimes much of the duff layer is pushed either in front of, or behind the rip, which is of little or no concern. Submission: November 2,

5 6.2.4 Snow Cache No snow caches will be utilized Seed Collection and Inventory There are no seed collection activities proposed within the 2017/18 timber year Access Silviculture access was by aircraft only. No ground access was employed Planting Camps Silviculture camp is not required Planting Planting activities commence on or after July 9. Completion by July 31 for all Summer (1+0) and the end of June for Over-winter aka. Spring stock. The short, frost free Summers in Northern Alberta are also prone to drought. All seedlings must be in the soil by the end of July to ensure the seedlings can root sufficiently to survive the long Northern winter. Restricted zones are avoided wherever possible. In restricted zones snow caches, planting camps and ground access are avoided. Fly in planting operations are utilized. Planting boxes will be disposed of within 12 months of skid clearance. Boxes will be removed to an appropriate disposal facility where ground access exists or the block does not contain any debris piles. Where ground access does not exist, boxes may be securely placed within existing debris piles and disposed by burning. All plastic is to be removed from boxes and disposed of at an approved waste disposal site prior to burning There will be no stand tending scheduled as part of this plan Establishment Survey No survey plans for openings in Performance Survey No surveys for in Maps Maps are prepared for the Reforestation Plan depicting harvest areas that were harvested. Maps are included in Appendix 1. A share site will be made available. None Proposed Blocks for Declaration In lieu of Survey and Re-Treatment Strata Balancing Openings harvested are balanced to the land base designation codes following the completion of the As Built Plan. This balance is to be within the 5% tolerance requirement of the Strata Balancing Directive across each Forest Management Unit. Strata balancing for the 2016/17 timber year is in Appendix 6-3. Submission: November 2,

6 Reporting Each disposition holder conducting silviculture work within their disposition will report the details of all work completed in the previous year annually to ARIS no later than May 15 th. Appendices Submission: November 2,

7 6.7.1 Silviculture Treatment Schedule Appendix 6-1: Silviculture Treatment Schedule Opening Field Number Stakeholder Code FMU Operating Area Working Area Pre Harvest RSA Stratum Code Landbase Designation Code Skid Clearance Date Type Status Ha Schedule Date F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 CD-SW D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D C-SW Plant ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 C-SB C-SW Plant ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D CD-SW Plant ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D DC-S Plant ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D C-SB Plant ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL F26 WATT WATT-1 D D LFN ACTUAL Submission: November 2,

8 6.7.2 Scarification Record Appendix 6-2: Scarification Record FMA Opening Number Compartment Net Area (ha) Scarified Area (ha) Type Watt Hoe Watt Hoe Submission: November 2,

9 6.7.3 Strata Balancing Appendix 6-3: Strata Balancing Submission: November 2,