Harbison State Forest. South Carolina Forestry Commission. SFI Manual. August, 2013

Transcription

1 Harbison State Forest South Carolina Forestry Commission SFI Manual August, 2013 Working Document This document is in development stages, and does not officially represent the goals and objectives of the South Carolina Forestry Commission.

2 Table of Contents Table of Contents... 2 Scope... 5 Company Description... 6 Harbison State Forest SFI Commitments... 8 A. Formal commitment to the SFI Standard... 8 B. Formal commitment to comply with applicable social laws... 8 C. Fiber sourcing policy... 8 Forest Land Management (SFI Objectives 1-7) Forest Management Planning... 9 A. Forest management plan(s)... 9 B. Assessments and forest inventories supporting long term harvest planning 23 C. Forest inventory updates, recent research results and recalculation of planned harvest levels Monitoring Records Forest Productivity Reforestation A. Reforestation and long term forest management planning B. Reforestation program C. Assessments supporting reforestation programs D. Use of improved planting stock, varietal seedlings and exotic species E. Afforestation Use of Chemicals F. Forest chemical program G. Best management practices Operational measures for maintaining site productivity H. Stand level practices I. Landscape level practices Forest Health J. Forest health programs K. Assessments supporting forest health programs L. Fire prevention and control Monitoring Records Protection and Maintenance of Water Quality A. Key water quality and riparian constraints impacting forest management planning B. Water quality and riparian protection programs C. Contract provisions Monitoring Records Conservation of Biological Diversity including Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value Landscape Level Management Programs and Practices

3 A. Key biological diversity and wildlife issues impacting forest management planning B. Landscape level programs C. Assessments and inventories supporting wildlife programs D. Forests with Exceptional Conservation Value E. Landscape considerations in threatened and endangered species programs 39 F. Support for old growth conservation G. Programs to address invasive exotic plants and animals H. Prescribed fire Stand Level Management Programs and Practices I. Stand level programs J. Threatened and endangered species Records Management of Visual Quality and Recreational Benefits Visual Quality Practices and Programs A. Key visual quality issues impacting forest management planning B. Visual quality management program C. Assessments and inventories supporting visual quality programs D. Clearcut harvest provisions Public Recreational Opportunities E. Recreation Monitoring Records Protection of Special Sites A. Key special sites issues impacting forest management planning B. Special Sites program C. Assessments supporting special sites programs Monitoring Records Efficient Use of Forest Resources A. Key Utilization issues impacting forest management planning B. Utilization programs adopted C. Assessments and inventories supporting utilization programs Monitoring Records Forest Land Management and Fiber Sourcing (SFI Objectives 14-20) Legal and Regulatory Compliance A. Access to applicable laws and regulations B. Compliance management program C. Compliance with social laws Monitoring Records Forestry Research, Science and Technology A. Research program B. Internal research

4 C. Funding of external research D. Regional analyses E. Climate change Monitoring Records Training and Education A. Communication of commitment to the SFI Standard B. Roles and responsibilities for achieving SFI objectives C. Staff and contractor training and education External Training and Education D. SFI Implementation Committee participation E. SFI Implementation Committee training criteria and delivery mechanisms 64 Monitoring Records Community Involvement in the Practice of Sustainable Forestry Support for Sustainable Forest Management A. Support for SICs B. Educational materials C. Conservation of managed forests D. Regional conservation planning Public Outreach and Education E. SICs and other outreach organizations F. Public educational opportunities Stakeholder Concerns G. Company processes for receiving and responding to public inquiries and concerns H. Nonconforming practices Training Monitoring Records Public Land Management Responsibilities A. Public land planning and management processes B. Stakeholder engagement C. Indigenous peoples Training Monitoring Records Communications and Public Reporting A. Summary audit report Training Monitoring Records Management Review and Continual Improvement A. SFI program effectiveness assessment

5 B. Monitoring of progress in achieving the SFI objectives and performance measures C. Annual management review Training Monitoring Records Scope This SFI Manual was developed for the improved long-term management of Harbison State Forest. Harbison State Forest is a 2177-acre green space located within the city limits of Columbia about 9 miles from downtown. Purchased by the Forestry Commission in 1945, Harbison is being developed as a teaching 5

6 forest. In addition to the numerous school, scout, and adult programs that are conducted each year, interpretive signage is in place with more planned. This combination of scheduled programs along with unobtrusive educational signs encourages visitors in both structured and recreational settings to learn about the Forest. Through adhering to accepted forestry practices, Harbison serves as an example of how timber management can co-exist with other management objectives. Company Description Harbison State Forest is comprised of one large contiguous block, and an adjacent portion, isolated from the main portion by a major roadway. Stands are delineated at an appropriate scale for management (Figure 1). Data for these stands is maintained in a GIS, which contains all relevant stand level data. As a State Forest, we are committed to long-term sustainable management of the resource for multiple use purposes. However, unique to our Agency, our State Forest system is mandated to be self-supporting, with the majority of our income coming from timber harvest operations. Therefore, within the scope of our management approach, and our attempt to provide the people of South Carolina with greatest and best use of the Forest, we do so with the over-arching requirement that significant timber harvesting will be required. Figure 1. Harbison State Forest stand delineation. 6

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8 Harbison State Forest SFI Commitments PM 16.1 Indicator 1 PM 14.2 Indicator 1 A. Formal commitment to the SFI Standard The South Carolina Forestry Commission and Harbison State Forest in particular are committed to the SFI Standard, and following the guidelines for the Standard as part of our State Forest Lands management program. B. Formal commitment to comply with applicable social laws The South Carolina Forestry Commission and Harbison State Forest in particular are committed to complying with all social laws, including but not limited to those covering civil rights, equal employment opportunities, anti-discrimination and anti-harassment measures, workers compensation, indigenous peoples rights, workers compensation, indigenous people s rights, workers and communities right to know, prevailing wages, workers right to organize and occupational health and safety. C. Fiber sourcing policy The South Carolina Forestry Commission and State Forest land division has not developed and does not have plans to develop a fiber sourcing policy. However, while it is not within the operational scope of our State Forest lands to have a robust fiber sourcing policy in place, we do adhere to many principles of sustainable forestry and best use of forest products. All harvests conducted must be done in strict accordance with BMP guidelines, and we monitor harvesting operations to ensure compliance. 8

9 Forest Land Management (SFI Objectives 1-7) 1. Forest Management Planning PM 1.1 Indicator 1,2,3,4,5 PM 4.2 Indicator 2 PM 17.1 Indicator 5 A. Forest management plan(s) Sustainability is and always should be a sine qua non of responsible forest management. In accordance with the Long Range Plan for the South Carolina Forestry Commission State Lands, Harbison State Forest will be managed to be a healthy, productive, forested ecosystem, while improving the quality of life of South Carolina s citizens through the environmental, educational, economic, and recreational benefits of active forest management. The individual management goals can be subdivided into the following four broad categories. Environment Harbison State Forest will serve as a leader in environmental protection by implementing science-based, multiple-use forest management practices. Conservation of biological diversity will be a high priority. Protection of soil, water, and air resources will be an integral part of all forest management activities. Education Harbison State Forest will be utilized as an outdoor classroom, providing the necessary educational resources and opportunities to raise the awareness of the benefits of forest resource management. We will strengthen our association with colleges and universities to promote forestry-related research and outreach to forest landowners and forestry professionals. Our State Forest will be used as a training center for agency personnel to meet job demands. Economy Harbison State Forest will contribute to local and state economies through the sustainable production and sale of forest products. Comprehensive planning, using the latest technology, will be employed to determine sustainable harvest levels. Revenue will be utilized to further the mission of the agency. Recreation 9

10 Harbison State Forest will provide outdoor recreation, compatible with forest management activities. Through statewide and local planning efforts and on-site monitoring, we will involve technical experts and user groups in determining the optimal levels of recreational opportunities at each State Forest. Timber Harvesting and Stand Management Primary management objectives of Harbison State Forest are education, recreation and wildlife management, however the opportunity for limited timber harvesting does exist. The following outline addresses our approach for timber harvest scheduling for, at the stand level. Due to the limited scope of our harvesting activity, we have not considered sustainability a problem, and instead have focused on harvesting as means to maintain stand health, while additionally using these stands in many educational awareness programs, landowners tours, and other programs. Stand descriptions herein focus on current stand conditions and any recommended stand management activity to be conducted in the short-term. Long-term management goals for these stands, specifically the future conditions of the stands past final harvest (if required) are to maintain the stands in their present forest type, and regenerate or allow to regenerate to the same forest type. There are two potential exceptions to this condition. First and most commonly, stand type or structure may be altered to return the stand to a more natural or historical condition. For example, in stands with dominant longleaf pine but a minor component of loblolly pine, management activities such as intermediate thinnings or prescribed fire may favor the stand development to be more uniformly longleaf pine. The other potential change in forest type may occur when a stand is harvested partially or in full for the establishment of research plots, stands or other areas. As previously stated, Harbison is managed for educational purposes, and efforts to establish research plots are on-going. For timber management purposes, the forest has been divided into fairly homogeneous management areas. The dividing lines between these areas are often components of the man-made infrastructure, such as roads and timber sale boundaries. Other divisions are more subtle, such as the relative amount of pines versus hardwoods. Below are descriptions of these areas: Note: Stands 1-3, 5 are on the west side of Lost Creek Drive, an area which may be developed into a Boy Scout camporee site. The forest management plan for this part of Harbison may need to be modified after plans for this area solidify. Stand 1: (Approx. 209 acres) This area is comprised mainly of longleaf pine with some loblolly and hardwoods in the overstory. The understory is oak, hickory and loblolly, with significant longleaf pine in the seedling stage. Growth is fair in most areas. The Volume is 8000 total board feet of saw timber and 5 tons of pulp 10

11 wood. The basal area is roughly 90 feet/acre and the DBH range from 6 to 18. Due to the exclusion of fire this area is slowly converting to a hardwood and loblolly pine mixed stand. The Lost Creek Trail runs through this stand. Recommendation: All timber management in this stand should be focused around maintaining the longleaf component. Group selection harvests are recommended and the removal of surrounding loblolly pines should be conducted along with the selected group. Final Stand Condition: Maintain longleaf pine component, and over time try to increase its stand presence. Stand 2: (Approx. 80 acres) This poor to fair quality stand of mixed pine/hardwood has a basal area around 60 square feet/acre and a volume of 4000 board feet/acre. The overstory is comprised of longleaf, loblolly, and shortleaf pines, with an oak and hickory composite. The understory is mainly an oak/hickory mix. The Lost Creek Trail runs through this stand. Recommendation: This stand should not be harvested at the current time. When the volume increases a group selection harvest should be considered. Final Stand Condition: This stand has potential for research as a shortleaf stand. This component should be favored to remain in the stand over time, with a reduction in the hardwood component. Stand 3: (Approx. 20 acres) This area is a hardwood drain defined by an intermittent stream running through the middle of the stand. Growth appears to be fair with a basal area around 130 square feet/acre. Diameters range from 7 to 40. Recommendation: This stand should be left as is, except for some select-tree removal, to be timed in coordination with thinning operations in stands 1 and/or 2. Final Stand Condition: This stand will be managed in perpetuity as a riparian buffer area, which will favor the hardwood component. Stand 4: (Approx. 21 acres) This area was salvage-cut in 2002, and the remaining trees are 8 to 20 loblolly pines are growing fairly slow. The basal area is around 30 square feet/acre. The understory consists of 1 to 8 diameter sweetgum, red maples, and mixed oaks with patches of pine saplings 6 to 2 tall. Recommendation: A light thinning with the removal of select trees with attempts to favor trees of higher form quality. Final Stand Condition: This stand should be managed for long-rotation loblolly pine. After final harvest, site should be prepped and replanted in loblolly. Stand 5: ( Aprox.4.5 acres) This is a small area of bottomland hard woods comprised primarily of oaks. The basal is 120 square feet/acre and has 6000 total board feet of saw timber. Recommendation: Leave as is for wildlife and water quality benefits. Final Stand Condition: In perpetuity as a hardwood stand. Some light harvesting if needed. A Consideration for rotational harvest in the future only if there are problems with secondary growth. 11

12 Stand 6: (Approx. 72 acres) Loblolly dominates this area, both in the 4-24 dbh overstory trees and the fairly good stand of 1 to 4-foot pine seedlings. This area contains large amounts of gullies. Volume averages 5000 board feet, 13 tons of pulpwood, and 4 tons of chip-and-saw/ acre. The Stewardship Trail runs through this area. Recommendation: The interior of this stand can be harvested using small selective thinning where it is excisable. Large buffers should be left along Lost Creek Dr. and the Stewardship trail. Final Stand Condition: This stand should be managed for long-rotation loblolly pine. After final harvest, site should be prepped and replanted in loblolly. Special consideration should be made in leaving trees that may be helping to prevent erosion. Stand 7: (Approx. 14 acres) This area was planted in 2003 in longleaf pine on a 10x10 spacing. The longleaf seedlings are still in the grass stage and emergent stem-elongation stage. A large number of loblolly volunteers and some sweetgum sprouts are heavily competing with longleaf seedling. Recommendation: A prescribed burn is what would be recommended; however, do to the close proximity of a residential area a prescribed burn is not reasonable option. The sweetgum should be culled using chemical means and the loblolly should be control mechanically over time, and as resources are available. Final Stand Condition: Continue to manage for the establishment of longleaf, and manage as such for long-rotation forest products, with continual replanting in longleaf. Stand 8: (Approx. 16 acres) This area contains an overstory that consists of a hardwood/pine mixed stand, with the majority of the pines located along the road and trail corridor s. The basal area is around 30 square feet/acre. Longleaf pine was planted on about 10 x 10 spacing and there are a fair number of loblolly pine saplings evenly dispersed throughout the stand. Recommendation: Any efforts in this area in the next 20 years should be on favoring the Long leaf Component by mechanical or chemical means. Final Stand Condition: Continue efforts to convert stand into longleaf pine, and manage as such long-rotation. Stand 9: (Approx. 26 acres) This hardwood area contains red maple, southern red oak, dogwood, holly, and elm as well as a fairly abundant component of wax myrtle. Scattered loblolly pine and a few shortleaf pines are also present. The pines are about years old, and the total basal area is 100 square feet/acre. Volume averages 9000 board feet and 14 tons of pulp wood/ acre. Recommendation: Leave as is for watershed protection, aesthetics, and wildlife habitat. Final Stand Condition: hardwood stand in perpetuity. 12

13 Stand 10: (Approx. 29 acres) This narrow stand of bottomland hardwoods consists of good-quality bottomland hardwoods such as Cherrybark oak, ash, water oak, southern red oak, and yellow-poplar. Growth of these hardwoods is fairly slow with current basal area about 100 square feet/acre and diameters from 13 to 30. Volume averages 7000 board feet and 7 tons of pulp wood/ acre. Recommendation: Leave as is for aesthetics, wildlife habitat, and watershed Final Stand Condition: hardwood stand in perpetuity, with potential for some select harvesting. Stand 11: (Approx. 8.5 acres) This area was salvaged cut in 2002 the remaining trees are 8 to 20 loblolly pines are growing at a fairly slow. The basal area is around 30 square feet/acre and 5000 board feet/acre. The understory consists of 1 to 8 diameter sweetgum, red maple, and mixed oaks with patches of pine saplings 6 to 2 tall. Recommendation: A light thinning with the removal of select trees with attempts to favor trees of higher form quality. Final Stand Condition: Maintain in loblolly over time for long-rotation forest products, with replanting in loblolly. Stand 12: not in use Stand 13: not in use Stand 14: (Approx. 4 acres) The seed trees were removed in This stand is over stocked with 1 to 4 diameter loblolly which are tall. A fair amount of sweetgum competition is present. Recommendation: This stand should be pre-commercially thinned and the sweetgum trees controlled chemically if funds are available. If funds are not readily available efforts should be focused on controlling the sweetgum competition. Final Stand Condition: Maintain in loblolly over time for long-rotation forest products, with replanting in loblolly. Stand 15: (Approx. 112 acres) The 60-year old loblolly pines in this area are 4 to 16 in diameter and are growing somewhat slowly. The area contains poor soils with several gullies running through it. This area contains a number of large openings with some regeneration 5-10 feet. There is little to no regeneration in the understory. There is also a number of wildlife opening and campsites locates in this area. There are ~5000 board feet of soft wood, 4 tons soft wood pulpwood and 5 tons of hardwood pulpwood/acre. Recommendation: This area should be managed as an even-age stand, utilizing 15 acre rotational harvests on a 5 to 7 year rotation. These harvest areas should be irregular in shape, and a large buffer needs to be left around the camp sites. Final Stand Condition: Continue to replant this stand in loblolly pine, however consideration should be made for the conversion to longleaf pine. 13

14 Stand 16: not in use Stand 17: (Approx. 3 acres) This area is planted in longleaf pine. The growth of the longleaf seedling is slow and is still in the grass to stem-elongation stage. There is some competition from hardwoods and volunteer loblolly seedling is a problem. Recommendation: This are needs to be burn on a 3 year rotation. The burns will help control the hardwood and loblolly competition and promote growth in the longleaf. Final Stand Condition: Continue to manage for longleaf pine for long-rotation forest products, and allow natural regeneration to maintain its presence in the future. Stand 18: (Approx. 5 acres) This area was planted during December 1998 with improved coastal loblolly pine on an 8 by 10-foot spacing (545 trees per acre). A large amount of volunteer seedlings is dominating this stand. The north side of the Canoe Landing Road was pre-commercially thinned, to a basal area of 60 feet/acre, in October The south side of the road remains at a basal area of 120 feet/acre. Recommendation: Leave as is for the next ten years. The North side will serve as an example of a pre-commercial thinning the south side will serve as a control area. Final Stand Condition: This research site should be allowed to grow until all research conditions have been met. At such time, replanting in loblolly or longleaf pine is recommended, unless study interests in successional planting in certain pine types is requested. Stand 19: (Approx. 83 acres) This stand is a mix of pine and hardwood with pockets of advanced pine regeneration. Growth of the 8 to 18 loblolly pine overstory is fair. These trees are 45 to 55 years old with a basal area of about 70 square feet/acre and average volume of 9000 board feet and 13 tons of pulpwood/ acre. A canoe landing with primitive camping area, parking area, and selfcontained restroom is located in this area near the confluence of Middle Creek and Broad River. The Stewardship Trail runs through this area. Recommendation: No treatment needed for next 5 years. Between 5 to 10 years a harvest may be possible, based on future volumes, utilizing group selection and or individual tree selection. Final Stand Condition: Continue to favor softwood species, and if possible allow stand to become dominant in longleaf pine. After final harvest, planting of longleaf for long-rotation management is recommended. Stand 20: (Approx. 118 acres) This area is old farmland with poor site quality on the hills and good productivity in low areas. Deep gullies are scattered throughout the area. This and is comprised of most loblolly pine with some shortleaf and longleaf components. The understory is comprised of pine and hardwood regeneration. This area was cut in 1996 to demonstrate uneven-aged 14

15 management. The basal area is roughly 70 square feet/acre with 8000 board feet of softwood sawtimber, 4 ton of softwood chip-and-saw, and 3 tons of softwood pulp/acre. Recommendation: This area will remain being managed as an uneven-age stand. Remove much of the overstory in stages during the next 20 years. Thin regenerated areas in approximately 20 years. Final Stand Condition: Continue to manage as a research site till all goals are met, then consider conversion to shortleaf or longleaf, dependant on observed success of these species over time on the site. Stand 21: (Approx. 27 acres) This area contains square feet/acre basal area of good-quality mixed hardwood and pines. These trees are from 8 to 28 in diameter. There are also patches of loblolly pine seedlings. This area has 9000 board feet of sawtimber. Recommendation: Leave as is for now. This area adds to the aesthetic value of the Eagle Trail. This area should be reexamined in coordination with stand 27. Final Stand Condition: Long-term management should favor small harvest areas and allow for natural regeneration, which will keep this stand in mixed hardwood pine conditions in perpetuity. Stand 22: (Approx. 82 acres) White oaks and red oaks dominate this area of hardwoods that occurs along drains and on hillsides. Loblolly and longleaf pine are also scattered through the area. Diameters range from 8 to 24 with basal area around 70 square feet/acre. Loblolly pine seedlings are scattered in patches as well. Volume averages board feet of soft wood sawtimber and 4000 board feet of hardwood sawtimber/acre. Recommendation: Leave for aesthetics and wildlife habitat with the exception of some selective cutting when adjacent stands are harvested. In areas where pine seedlings are abundant, group selection should be used to create openings for the pines. This will further increase the diversity of this part of the forest. Final Stand Condition: Long-term management should favor small harvest areas and allow for natural regeneration, which will keep this stand in mixed hardwood pine conditions in perpetuity. Stand 23: (Approx. 37 acres) Loblolly pine is the dominant species in this area, with widely scattered longleaf and shortleaf as well. Growth is poor to fair, with basal area about 90 square feet/acre and a diameter range of 6 to 20. Volume averages 5000 board feet/acre. The Main Road, Firebreak Trail, and Eagle Trail run through this area. The arboretum also is found in this area. A large amount of woody debris is located in this area. Recommendation: This area should is a highly visible area and any management practice should be carefully considered. An uneven-aged management scheme is recommended. Final Stand Condition: Long rotation management for mixed pines is recommended. 15

16 Stand 24: (Approx. 20 acres) This pine/hardwood area contains several Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) spots with heavy downed timber. Sawtimber volume averages board feet/acre with pulpwood volume around 4 tons per acre. Recommendation: If timber management was primary, this area would need to be rotationally harvested, hardwoods controlled, and genetically improved pines would be planted. However, with aesthetics, recreation, and wildlife management as important factors in the management of this Forest, especially in stands of high public visibility, this area should be left as is and allowed to convert to hardwoods. Final Stand Condition: Over time, this stand will revert to shade-tolerant hardwoods and allowed to remain as such, with select thinning as needed or allowed. Stand 25: (Approx. 201 acres) This is a good quality stand of longleaf, loblolly, and scattered shortleaf that are 6 to 18 in diameter. The basal area averages 100 square feet/acre. There are also a fair number of 10 to 20-foot loblolly saplings in much of the area. Growth appears to be fair with shortleaf and some loblolly declining in vigor. The average age of these trees is around 75. Heavy straw covers the ground in the southwest portion of this area. Volume averages board feet, 8 tons of chip-and-saw and 3 tons of pulpwood/acre. The Firebreak Trail runs through this area as does the Main Road. Recommendation: An improvement cut is needed to thin overcrowded areas and to remove all shortleaf, poor quality loblolly and hardwoods competing with the Longleaf pines. This is one of the most visible areas on the forest, so care must be taken to maintain as much of the aesthetic quality as possible. Final Stand Condition: Over time, full conversion to longleaf pine is preferred, with natural regeneration of the stand through management activities allowed. Stand 26: (Approx. 3 acres) The 15 to 20-foot pines in this area seeded in after the overstory was removed following an SPB. attack. Stocking level is generally good, although there is a significant amount of competition from sweetgum sprouts. Recommendation: This area should be left as is for now. In years it can be thinned when area is harvested 25. Final Stand Condition: Allow this stand to grow into mature pine, and merge with stand 25 over time, and manage as recommended. Stand 27: (Approx. 3 acres) This area was a large SPB. spot and was replanted in January of 2003 with Loblolly seedling are 3-5 feet tall. Recommendation: Leave as is for the nest 10 years. Final Stand Condition: Over time, this stand should be managed for long-rotation loblolly pine, with management activity timed with and eventually merging with Stand 20. Consideration should be given to convert stand to longleaf, and merge with adjacent stand of similar type. 16

17 Stand 28: (Approx. 41 acres) This area consists of generally good quality longleaf and loblolly with a few scattered shortleaf. Growth is fair to good with the average basal area around 160 square feet/acre. Diameters are from 7 to 22, and there are some loblolly saplings in the area. Volume averages 7000 board feet and 1 ton of pulpwood/acre. Recommendation: Group selection should be utilized to promote this area as an uneven-aged stand. When and where possible, prescribed fire should be used, especially when longleaf cones are abundant. This area is adjacent to the heavily used Gazebo area, so care must be taken to maintain and enhance its aesthetic quality when feasible. Final Stand Condition: This stand should be managed as mixed pine over time, using the regeneration methods mentioned above, and kept as such in perpetuity. Stand 29: (Approx. 8 acres) This pine/hardwood area is close to the Gazebo and is one of the areas of the forest most heavily utilized by school groups and picnickers. It contains the Discovery Trail as well as several educational exhibits. Loblolly and a few longleaf pine as well as red oak, white oak, maple, and dogwood can be found in this area. Basal area averages 60 square feet/acre, volume averages board feet/ acre, and tree diameters are 4 to 20. Recommendation: Leave as is. This area should be managed in a park-like condition with the only timber removal limited to the felling of hazard trees. Final Stand Condition: Pine hardwood mix in perpetuity, and as recommended. Stand 30: (Approx. 13 acres) This area along Broad River Road provides a visual buffer that separates Broad River Rd. and The Columbia Shop Complex. The 70 year old loblolly pines, along with scattered longleaf, are growing fairly slowly. The average diameter is 10 to 16, and the basal area is 60 square feet/acre. Volume averages 5000 board feet/acre. There are a fair number of 25 to 35-foot loblolly saplings in this area. Recommendation: This area should be left as is for now with the exception of the removal of hazard trees. When Area 25 is thinned the removal of some volume is recommended to keep the basal area around 60 feet/acre. As in Area 25, aesthetics is of major importance, so care must be taken not to damage residual trees or leave large amounts of logging debris on the site. Two barracks facilities and a log cabin replica are also located in this area, so a buffer should be maintained around them. Final Stand Condition: Over time, the conversion of this stand to pure longleaf should be promoted, however road adjacency limits the ability to conduct prescribed fire and thus a mixed pine stand may be unavoidable without incurring undo costs. Stand 31: (Approx. 92 acres) This area contains the Environmental Education Center, Learning Trail, and portions of the Firebreak Trail and Discovery Trail. It is adjacent to the Main Road. This area contains several Prescribed Fire Demonstration Plots and 4 outdoor class rooms Volume averages 9000 board 17

18 feet/acre. The average basal area is 60 square feet/acre and growth of the 80-year old overstory trees appears to be fair. Recommendation: Prescribed Fire Demonstration Plots should continued to be burned on their annual rotation, and expanded in acreage if possible. This burns help show the public the benefits of fire and how the area will recover after a fire. Prescribed fire will also help the longleaf seedlings to initiate height growth. When the present longleaf seedlings start to mature, the overstory should be removed using a group selection method, promoting the establishment of blocks of new longleaf regeneration. Final Stand Condition: Long-rotation longleaf pine, with natural regeneration. Stand 32: (Approx. 1 acre). This area was cleared for a helicopter landing zone in 1990 and was planted in January 1998 as part of a progeny test. Improved coastal loblolly pine and improved piedmont loblolly pine were planted in blocks. This has let to multiple management strategies in this stand. First as research plots to serve as a demonstration area. Then a managed northern section having benefitting from poorly formed and diseased trees being removed from the northern section in 2008 in a pre-commercial thinning, and a prescribed fire in And lastly, the southern section which is currently unmanaged and being allowed to develop naturally. Recommendation: Area will be managed as a demonstration stand. This stand needs to be thinned within 2 years; poorly formed tree along with diseased trees will be removed during this thinning along with select others to insure adequate spacing. Final Stand Condition: This research stand should be kept as is until all research interests have been met. At such time, either a new research planting should be conducted on the site, or the stand should be planted in forest type similar to an adjacent stand, at that time. Stand 33: (Approx. 155 acres) This large area received several management applications over the past few years, however only portions of the stand have been treated, to minimize the overall impact of the harvest activity on trails, recreation, and aesthetics related to public use of the Forest. The stand contains 8 to 20 diameter longleaf with scattered loblolly and has almost no regeneration present, mostly due to the accumulation of a heavy layer of pine straw. The basal area averages 90 square feet/acre, and growth of these 80-year old pines is fair. Volume averages board feet/acre. The southeast side of this stand was thinned in 2010, to approximately a 50 basal area. Shortleaf and loblolly pines where removed to favor longleaf pines. Patch clear cuts were utilized to open up the forest floor to promote regeneration. The Northwest side was thinned to a 50 basal area in 2012 using both individualtree and group selection processes. Shortleaf and loblolly pines where removed to favor longleaf pines. It has been burned during thee winter of 2009 and 2013 respectively. The northern and southern third of this stand was burned in March or 2013, with the remanding central portion scheduled to be burned in

19 Recommendation: All management in this area should be focused on promoting longleaf pine. Prescribed burns should be conducted when ever possible, as described previously. This will help promote the growth of new longleaf seedlings. This is a potential area for pine straw enhancement projects. The sale of pine straw will expose more area suitable for longleaf pine regeneration. Final Stand Condition: Long term management of longleaf pine, in a natural condition or one resembling such, and encouraging natural regeneration. Stand 34: (Approx. 17 acres) This area contains 110 square feet of basal area in 4-16 dbh longleaf, with a few loblolly pines intermixed. There exists a good number of first-year longleaf seedlings over most of the area, along with scattered loblolly seedlings. Volume averages 9000 board feet/acre. The stand has been placed on an active burning rotation, experiencing prescribed fire activity in 2009, 2010, and Continual application is planned on a 2-4 year return cycle. Recommendation: This area is adjacent to the headquarters building, so aesthetics is a major consideration. It should be managed using uneven-aged management. Final Stand Condition: Over time, continue to promote longleaf pine development. Stand should eventually be a natural longleaf pine stand. Stand 35: (Approx. 13 acres) This area between the headquarters building and the Criminal Justice Academy contains a mixture of longleaf pine, loblolly pine, and hardwoods that are 6 to 21 in diameter and are growing at only a marginal rate. The basal area is 90 square feet/acre and there are a fair number of 5 to 15-foot loblolly saplings. Volume averages 9000 board feet/acre. Recommendation: This stand provides a visual buffer between the Forestry Commission headquarters complex and the Criminal Justice Academy. It should be managed on an uneven-aged basis with aesthetics as the primary management objective. Final Stand Condition: Current stand conditions, including the hardwood component, appear to serve as the need for a visual buffer quite well. Long-term stand conditions should remain similar to those currently. Stand 36: (Approx. 137 acres) This area was recently thinned (2012) using an individual tree and group selection process. Thinning focused on removal of scattered loblolly and shortleaf pines, with the intent of promoting the mature stand of longleaf pine present and its associated regeneration. The stand contains 8 to 20 diameter longleaf pines, and harvest should promote development of longleaf in the understory, previously limited due to the presence of a heavy layer of pine straw. The basal area averages 50 square feet/acre, and growth of these 80-year old pines is fair. Recommendation: All management efforts should be focus on managing for longleaf pine. Harvesting using group selection and the removal of all near by loblolly pines is recommended followed up by a prescribed burn in the harvested area as soon as possible. Final Stand Condition: Longleaf pine grown for long-rotation timber, with natural regeneration or planting of longleaf post-harvest. 19

20 Stand 37: (Approx. 2 acres) This area is a large Southern Pine Beetle spot. It was salvaged in Loblolly pines are now growing in this area and are 15+ feet tall. The pines are competing with a number of sweetgum sprout. Recommendation: Due to its small operational size this area should be left as is for the next 10 years. When an adjacent area is harvested this area should be thinned removing any undesirable hardwood species and about half of the remaining pines to insure adequate spacing. Final Stand Condition: This stand should be grown for mature loblolly, and merge with associated stand(s) when possible, for long-rotation pine products. Area 38: (Approx. 21 acres) This area is adjacent to the Broad River and is part of the flood plain. The areas that are not part of the flood plain are characterized by steep slopes. The overstory is comprised of oaks, hickories, sweetgum, sycamores, and some pines. Recommendation: Leave is as. Final Stand Condition: Stand will be allowed to maintain its oak hickory component in perpetuity. Some light thinning may be required to encourage this. There is a potential for this stand, in part or full, to be managed as an High Conservation Value Forest. Area 39: (Approx. 37 acres) This hardwood area contains white oak, hickory, and elm that are 8 to 16 in diameter. Basal area is around 110 square feet/acre. Loblolly, longleaf, and a few shortleaf pines are also scattered in this area. Volume averages 2000 board feet of pine and 6000 board feet of hardwood sawtimber and 2 cords/acre. Recommendation: The mature or poor quality pine and some select hardwoods in this area should be removed when harvesting is conducted in Stand 40. Otherwise, it should be left as is to promote diversity for wildlife and for aesthetics. Final Stand Condition: Stand will be allowed to maintain its oak hickory component in perpetuity. Some light thinning may be required to encourage this. There is a potential for this stand, in part or full, to be managed as an High Conservation Value Forest. Area 40: (Approx. 210 acres) Longleaf and loblolly pine occupy this site with shortleaf scattered throughout the area there is a large hardwood component. These trees are 6 to 18 in diameter, 70 to 80 years old, and are growing at a moderate rate. There is a wide range of basal area - from 30 to 130 square feet/acre. Large open areas are scattered throughout and contain 3-5 year old regeneration. Volume averages 8000 board feet and 2 tons of softwood pulp and 1000 board feet 11 tons of hardwood pulp/acre. 20

21 Recommendation: Leave as is until the areas with regeneration have reached a height of feet. Once regeneration have reached its targeted height a group selection harvest and selective thinning around trials maybe utilized to achieve a basal area of 50. This stocking level will help prevent further SPB attacks. Final Stand Condition: Promote the development of stand conditions that favor longleaf, and if possible allow to become a more uniform longleaf stand, to be managed as such for the long-term. Otherwise, long rotation management of mixed pines may be allowed. Area 41: (Approx. 18 acres) This is a good quality stand of 9 to 40 diameter mixed hardwood and pine (longleaf and loblolly) which is about 50 to 60 years old. The basal area is 110 square feet/acre and 6000 board feet of pine sawtimber, pine 2 tons of pulp wood and 2000 board feet of hardwood sawtimber and 17 tons of hardwood pulp/acre. There are pockets of pine regeneration and some mortality in the mature pines Recommendation: Leave area as is until the pine regeneration produces some height. After regeneration has advanced a group selection may be considered when harvesting stand 40, leaving a buffer around the road and streams. Final Stand Condition: Long-term management of this stand as mixed hardwood pine may be preferable on this site. Given its location, hardwood component may provide a good visual buffer during winter periods, while also serving as a food source for wildlife. If possible, natural regeneration should be allowed to keep this stand condition in perpetuity. Area 42: not in use Area 43: not in use Area 44: (Approx. 3 acres) This stand is 10 years old and is severely overstocked. A small part of this area was pre-commercial thinned as a demonstration area. Basel area ranges from feet/acre and the diameters range from 2-9 inches. Natural mortality has started to thin the area out some. This stand currently contains no measurable amount of merchantable volume. Recommendation: Due to time and resource constraints, let natural mortality continue to thin this stand. In 10 years a reassessment should be conducted for a possible commercial thinning, to be conducted when an adjacent area is harvested. Final Stand Condition: This stand should be allowed to develop into a mature pine stand, with the eventual production of long-rotation forest products. However, given its current condition, this stand should be considered when research needs might suit the site conditions. Area 45: (Approx. 10 acres) This loblolly stand has a basal area around 75 square feet/acre with diameters around 7-10 inches. The volume is around 7000 total board feet/acre and 10 tons of total pulpwood/acre. 21

22 Recommendation: An improvement cut is recommended for this area. This thinning should remove about 15 square feet of the basal area leaving the stand at 60 BA/acre. Due to the close proximity of the Stewardship Trail head to this area care should be taken to enhance the aesthetics when possible. Final Stand Condition: Long-term rotation of loblolly, with small clearings to allow for plantings, or clearcut and planting in loblolly pine continuously. NonForested Areas The following areas have been designated non-forest use area and are categorized as wildlife opening, wildlife food plots, recreational areas or facility. Area 900: ( Approx.1 acres) This area is a wildlife food plot. Area 901: (Approx..3 acres) This area is a wildlife opening. Area 902: (Approx.25 acres) This area is a small field that is connected to the Red Fox camp site Area 903: (Approx 7.5 acres) This area contains the South Carolina Forestry Commission Headquarters facility. Area 904: (Approx.15 acres) This area is a small field that is connected to the Bobcat camp site. Area 905: (Approx..2 acres) This area is a wildlife food plot. Area 906: (Approx..4 acres) This are is a wild life food plot. Area 907: (Approx..5 acres) This area is a recreational area, Coyote Camp site. Area 908: (Approx. 1.3 acres) This area is a wildlife opening, The Ferguson Field. Area 909: (Approx acres) This area is a wildlife opening, The River Field. Area 910: (Approx. 1.2 acres) This area is a wildlife opening. Area 911: (Approx. 1.5 acres) This area is a wildlife opening. It contains the arboretum and is called the Cypress Field. Area 912: (Approx. 1 acres) This area is a wildlife opening, The Dogwood Field. Area 913: (Approx. 6 acres) This area is a recreational area. The Eagle Trail trail head. 22

23 Area 914: (Approx. 3.1 acres) This area is a recreational area. This area contains the Gazebo and Gazebo field. Area 915: (Approx. 1 acre) This area is a wildlife food plot. Area 916: (Approx. 4.5 acres) This area is a recreational area and contains the Environmental Educational Center. Area 917: (Approx. 6.5 acres) This area is classified as a facility and contains the radio tower. Area 918: (Approx. 5.4 acres) This area is classified as a facility and contains the headquarters for the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Area 919: (Approx. 3.8 acres) This area is a wildlife opening and is the field in front of the SCFC headquarters. Area 920: (Approx. 1 acre) This area is a wildlife opening. B. Assessments and forest inventories supporting long term harvest planning Data collected to support long-term harvest planning is part of an on-going forest inventory plan. Subsequent to and in coordination with our development of a harvest schedule model, a five-year, complete forest inventory was conducted across all State Lands, including Harbison State Forest. This inventory was finished in 2009, and then inventory began again, focusing more directly on areas that experienced recent harvesting activity or planting. From 2008 through present, the South Carolina Forestry Commission, like many State agencies, has been experiencing a period of reduced budgetary capacity, and a loss of personnel across all components of the agency. This resulted in diminished capability to conduct forest inventory at our previous rate. Current efforts to increase inventory data collection have included the development of better use of onsite personnel, and our inventory methods and data collection are being updated to better meet the needs of our new harvest scheduling client. While Harbison State Forest is not included in the harvest schedule model, data will be collected using the new inventory standards. Over-arching management of Harbison State Forest is supported by a robust GIS database. On-the-ground implementation of harvesting as well as other management operations rely on a GIS database that includes information on roads, soils, hydrology, endangered species, elevation, and other data as needed. These data were obtained from many different State and Federal Agencies, and developed in-house where applicable. 23

24 C. Forest inventory updates, recent research results and recalculation of planned harvest levels Updating of forest inventory has recently undergone a shift, as we have changed our harvest scheduling client. Data is collected using electronic field recorders, and then uploaded to ForesTech Inc. and stored in their off-site servers. This provides better long-term maintenance of data, and also allows for information to be served Agency-wide as needed. D. Regional conservation planning The South Carolina Forestry Commission and Harbison State Forest in particular are not actively involved in any regional conservation planning initiatives at this time. However, Harbison is actively involved in many education and outreach programs that address conservation planning, as discussed elsewhere in this document. Monitoring PM 20.1 Indicator 1,2 Monitoring of stand harvesting is taken place by on-site personnel. Due to the limited harvesting at Harbison, with many years experiencing no harvest activity at all, personnel have had little difficulty in maintaining operational oversite, and have worked closely with forest operators on all harvest activity. Records For an overview of our records, please refer to our current forest inventory. In additional, documentation may be available in the form of harvest contracts. 24

25 2. Forest Productivity Reforestation PM 1.1 Indicator 5 PM 2.1 Indicator 1,2,3,4,6 PM 2.5 Indicator 1 PM 14.1 Indicator 3 PM 15.1 Indicator 2 A. Reforestation and long term forest management planning Most of our acreage at Harbison State Forest is forested, however some areas are maintained in open condition for recreational purposes. No immediate plans are in place to convert any of these open-use areas. Our Agency-wide approach to forest management is to avoid pre-commercial thinning where possible. Harvest activity at Harbison, due to its limited volume and frequency, is not accounted on a year over year basis. Instead, harvesting activity takes place as needed, with the minor revenue gains added to the overall State Forest Budget. We do not use or plan to use any fertilization or pruning techniques with forest management. B. Reforestation program Artificial and natural regeneration schemes are dependant on current stand cover type and desired future cover type. The following provides a general overview of how we approach these stands, however some deviation may be expected on an individual basis, simply as a result of such a large management area. In much of our pine forest, where we are either replacing a stand with the same species, or replacing to Longleaf Pine, our plan includes artificial planting, using available seedstock from the Forest Commission Nursery program. However, in these areas where significant regeneration is evident and noticed by field personnel, we may refrain from planting and allow for natural regeneration, especially in stands of limited access or within a streamside management zone. In our hardwood forests we allow for natural regeneration following a clear-cut rotational harvest. Site conditions following harvest, particularly increased light penetration to the forest floor, have been found to be conducive to development of a stand of desirable species composition. In hardwood stands or more commonly mixed hardwood stands with a significant pine component or site conditions favorable for pine, we may use artificial regeneration to convert the stand to a more desirable composition couple with harvest techniques aimed at reducing the hardwood component over time. 25