SHAREHOLDER FIREWOOD PROCEDURE

Transcription

1 SHAREHOLDER FIREWOOD PROCEDURE Ahtna Shareholders have two options for firewood harvesting: Commercial Firewood - Firewood harvested on Regional and former Village Corporation lands to be sold for monetary gain. Personal Use Firewood - Firewood harvested on Regional and former Village Corporation lands to be used by individual Shareholders for personal home heating. In the event of lack of readily accessible firewood to harvest, Personal Use Firewood will be given a preference over Commercial Firewood. What are the Requirements to Harvest Firewood? Original Village Corporation Shareholder or a direct descendant of that Village Corporation If a Shareholder does not own original Village Corporation shares, that Shareholder must receive approval from the impacted SVO and Land Committee Chitina Native Corporation and Ahtna At-Large Shareholders are only allowed to harvest firewood on Ahtna Regional Corporation land Shareholders who receive a firewood permit, either Commercial or Personal Use must be on-site while firewood harvesting activities occur Special consideration will be allowed for Shareholders cutting for elders or single parents unable to perform the harvesting independently How do we receive a Commercial Firewood Permit? Prior to beginning harvesting the Shareholder will be issued a Commercial Firewood Permit Each permit will consist of one woodlot that will contain a certain number of cords and be marked and labeled accordingly Shareholder will provide a security deposit of $100 and pre-payment of $10 per cord The pre-payment and security deposit will need to be received prior to issuing the Commercial Firewood Permit The permit will be valid for one calendar year. Shareholders will not be issued multiple permits until the initial permit is satisfied No Commercial or Personal Use firewood harvesting is allowed by non-shareholders!

2 Where will the Firewood Cutting Occur? The Ahtna Land Department will set up certain commercial firewood woodlots for each former Village Corporation The woodlots will be identified as Commercial woodlots Each woodlot will contain a certain amount of acres and be inventoried by number of harvestable cords in each woodlot The intent of this procedure is to eliminate over harvesting of easily accessible areas for personal use firewood, reduce the environmental impact and improve specific areas for wildlife habitat. More detailed maps of each of the areas shown above can be viewed on the Ahtna website at benefits. QUESTIONS? PLEASE CONTACT THE AHTNA LAND DEPARTMENT AT: (907) // AHTNALANDS@AHTNA.NET

3 Ahtna Shareholder Firewood Procedure FIREWOOD HARVEST AREAS

4 Firewood Unit 1 I. LOCATION AND ACCESS Firewood Unit One is located at approximately mile 6 along the Klutina Road. The unit is around 4 acres and the boundary is marked with pink flagging, with the corners of the plot double flagged. Below is a map of the unit area. This firewood unit is accessed by the Brenwick-Craig Road, or Klutina Road, from MP 102 on the Richardson Highway. The unit is off the Klutina Road at MP 6 and there is an old ATV access trail into the plot. Harvesters are responsible for access from this trail into the unit. (All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations.) II. SITE AND STAND CONDITIONS The firewood unit consists of black and white spruce, both live and dead. The understory is mostly willows and grass. The ground is covered in a vegetative mat, moss and duff, which is fairly stable but can cause problems if broken through to the permafrost layer. The area is relatively flat and there is an old ATV access trail into the plot. This area has been harvested for firewood before by shareholders. There is a lot of dead spruce on the ground and a good amount standing. The unit is about 4 acres, with approximately cords of deadwood on site, depending on the quality of the wood on the ground. Live spruce can be taken as well if desired. Timber volumes are estimates based on imprecise field observations. The quantity and quality of the timber in this contract is estimated, not guaranteed. The area should be inspected before signing the contract. III. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Wildfires have been suppressed in the Copper Basin area for decades, which has resulted in the built up of dead wood and increase of wildfire risk. The amount of dead wood in the area is a big fire hazard that can lead to more intense fires and help fuel the spread of fire. The harvest, or removal, of the dead wood from the area will decrease those risks. The harvesting of firewood and scarification of the ground from equipment will mimic the natural disturbance of wildfire which will stimulate tree growth and create a more diverse forest. This can create a better, more productive forest stand and increase tree harvest in the future. This unit can be harvested during the winter months when the ground is frozen and there is a solid base and good ground support for vehicles and equipment. A temporary winter snow road can be created to access the unit if needed. A winter harvest will Page 2 of 16

5 have less of an effect on ground disturbance and soil erosion, thereby protecting the underlying vegetation. Firewood harvest is recommended to be postponed during spring break up so as not to lose or damage equipment or surrounding environment. IV. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 1. All possible firewood must be taken. New permits will not be given out until all firewood is removed from the first unit. 2. Stumps that are left will be no higher than 12 inches from the ground. 3. All large woody debris left behind will be cut into 4 ft lengths and scattered to help with decomposition. a) Logs can be left only if not fit for firewood use. 4. Take appropriate erosion control measures. a) Use an existing trail where feasible. b) Keep the integrity of drainages along the main road to help with runoff from harvest. c) Minimize damage from equipment to trunks and root systems of retained timber. 5. Limit traffic restrictions as much as possible. a) Road is used as a recreation road for ATVs and snow machines and travel to river, don t impede these activities. 6. Fire prevention and suppression measures should be taken during all harvest activities. a) Be watchful of sparks from chainsaws and other equipment. 7. All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations 8. All trash must be removed from site when firewood harvest is completed. Page 3 of 16

6 Map of Firewood Unit 1 Page 4 of 16

7 Firewood Unit 2 I. LOCATION AND ACCESS Firewood Unit Two is located at the end of an old ATV, or woodcutting, trail that leads off the Klutina Road at approximately mile 10. The unit is about 2 acres and is marked with pink flagging, with the corners of the plot double flagged. This unit borders firewood unit 3 and the bordered side is triple flagged. Below is a map of the unit area. This firewood unit is accessed by the Brenwick-Craig Road, or Klutina Road, from MP 102 on the Richardson Highway. The unit is off the Klutina Road at MP 10 at the end of an old ATV, or woodcutting, trail. Harvesters are responsible for access from this trail into the unit. (All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations.) II. SITE AND STAND CONDITIONS This site consists of an overstory of black and white spruce trees, both live and dead, with an understory of willows, grass, and weeds. The ground is covered in a vegetative mat, moss and duff, which is fairly stable but can cause problems if broken through to the permafrost layer. The area is relatively flat and there is an old ATV access trail to the plot. This area has been harvested before by shareholders for firewood. The unit is about 2 acres with approximately 20 cords of deadwood on site, including a good amount on the ground and a great deal of standing dead. Live spruce can be taken as well if desired. Timber volumes are estimates based on imprecise field observations. The quantity and quality of the timber in this contract is estimated, not guaranteed. The area should be inspected before signing the contract. V. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Wildfires have been suppressed in the Copper Basin area for decades, which has resulted in the built up of dead wood and increase of wildfire risk. The amount of dead wood in the area is a big fire hazard that can lead to more intense fires and help fuel the spread of fire. The harvest, or removal, of the dead wood from the area will decrease those risks. The harvesting of firewood and scarification of the ground from equipment will mimic the natural disturbance of wildfire which will stimulate tree growth and create a more diverse forest. This can create a better, more productive forest stand and increase tree harvest in the future. This unit can be harvested during the winter months when the ground is frozen and there is a solid base and good ground support for vehicles and equipment. A temporary winter snow road can be created to access the unit if needed. A winter harvest will have less of an effect on ground disturbance and soil erosion, thereby protecting the Page 5 of 16

8 underlying vegetation. Firewood harvest is recommended to be postponed during spring break up so as not to lose or damage equipment or surrounding environment. VI. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 1. All possible firewood must be taken. New permits will not be given out until all firewood is removed from the site. 2. Stumps that are left will be no higher than 12 inches from the ground. 3. All large woody debris left behind will be cut into 4 ft lengths and scattered to help with decomposition. a) Logs can be left only if not fit for firewood use. 4. Take appropriate erosion control measures. a) Use an existing trail where feasible. b) Keep the integrity of drainages along the main road to help with runoff from harvest. c) Minimize damage from equipment to trunks and root systems of retained timber. 5. Limit traffic restrictions as much as possible. a) Road is used as a recreation road for ATVs and snow machines and travel to river, don t impede these activities. 6. Fire prevention and suppression measures should be taken during all harvest activities. a) Be watchful of sparks from chainsaws and other equipment. 7. All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations. 8. All trash must be removed from site when firewood harvest is completed. Page 6 of 16

9 Map of firewood unit 2 Page 7 of 16

10 Firewood Unit 3 I. LOCATION AND ACCESS Firewood Unit Three is located at the end of an old ATV, or woodcutting, trail that leads off the Klutina Road at approximately mile 10. The unit is about 3 acres and is marked with pink flagging, with the corners of the plot double flagged. This unit borders firewood unit 2, and the bordered side is triple flagged. Below is a map of the unit area. This firewood unit is accessed by the Brenwick-Craig Road, or Klutina Road, from MP 102 on the Richardson Highway. The unit is off the Klutina Road at MP 10 at the end of an old ATV, or woodcutting, trail. Harvesters are responsible for access from this trail into the unit. (All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations.) II. SITE AND STAND CONDITIONS This site consists of an overstory of black and white spruce trees, both live and dead, with an understory of willows, grass, and weeds. The ground is covered in a vegetative mat, moss and duff, which is fairly stable but can cause problems if broken through to the permafrost layer. The area is relatively flat and there is an old ATV access trail to the plot. This area has been harvested before by shareholders for firewood. The unit is about 3 acres with approximately 20 cords of deadwood on site, including both blow down and standing dead. Live spruce can be taken as well if desired. Timber volumes are estimates based on imprecise field observations. The quantity and quality of the timber in this contract is estimated, not guaranteed. The area should be inspected before signing the contract. III. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Wildfires have been suppressed in the Copper Basin area for decades, which has resulted in the built up of dead wood and increase of wildfire risk. The amount of dead wood in the area is a big fire hazard that can lead to more intense fires and help fuel the spread of fire. The harvest, or removal, of the dead wood from the area will decrease those risks. The harvesting of firewood and scarification of the ground from equipment will mimic the natural disturbance of wildfire which will stimulate tree growth and create a more diverse forest. This can create a better, more productive forest stand and increase tree harvest in the future. This unit can be harvested during the winter months when the ground is frozen and there is a solid base and good ground support for vehicles and equipment. A temporary winter snow road can be created to access the unit if needed. A winter harvest will have less of an effect on ground disturbance and soil erosion, thereby protecting the Page 8 of 16

11 underlying vegetation. Firewood harvest is recommended to be postponed during spring break up so as not to lose or damage equipment or surrounding environment. IV. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS i. All possible firewood must be taken. New permits will not be given out until all firewood is removed from the site. ii. Stumps that are left will be no higher than 12 inches from the ground. iii. All large woody debris left behind will be cut into 4 ft lengths and scattered to help with decomposition. 1. Logs can be left only if not fit for firewood use. iv. Take appropriate erosion control measures. 1. Use an existing trail where feasible. 2. Keep the integrity of drainages along the main road to help with runoff from harvest. 3. Minimize damage from equipment to trunks and root systems of retained timber. v. Limit traffic restrictions as much as possible. 1. Road is used as a recreation road for ATVs and snow machines and travel to river, don t impede these activities. vi. Fire prevention and suppression measures should be taken during all harvest activities. 1. Be watchful of sparks from chainsaws and other equipment. vii. All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations. viii. All trash must be removed from site when firewood harvest is completed. Page 9 of 16

12 Map of firewood unit 3 Page 10 of 16

13 Firewood Unit 4 I. LOCATION AND ACCESS Firewood Unit Four is located just past mile 8 along the Klutina Road. A decent logging road leads back to the plot, and the plot is at the far end of the trail. The unit is around 3 acres and the boundary is marked with pink flagging, with the corners of the plot double flagged. Below is a map of the unit area. This firewood unit is accessed by the Brenwick-Craig Road, or Klutina Road, from MP 102 on the Richardson Highway. The unit is off the Klutina Road just past MP 8 and there is a logging trail into the plot. Harvesters are responsible for access from this road into the unit. (All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations.) II. SITE AND STAND CONDITIONS The firewood unit consists mainly of black and white spruce, both live and dead, with aspen scattered throughout. The understory is mostly willows and grass. The ground is covered in a vegetative mat, moss and duff, which is fairly stable but can cause problems if broken through to the permafrost layer. There are a lot of blow down trees and up-rooted stumps. The area is flat with a logging road going back to the plot. The plot is at the far end of the logging trail. This area has been harvested for firewood before by shareholders. There is a lot of blow down spruce and some standing dead. The unit is about 3 acres, with approximately cords of deadwood on site, depending on the quality of the wood on the ground. Live spruce can be taken as well if desired. Timber volumes are estimates based on imprecise field observations. The quantity and quality of the timber in this contract is estimated, not guaranteed. The area should be inspected before signing the contract. III. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Wildfires have been suppressed in the Copper Basin area for decades, which has resulted in the built up of dead wood and increase of wildfire risk. The amount of dead wood in the area is a big fire hazard that can lead to more intense fires and help fuel the spread of fire. The harvest, or removal, of the dead wood from the area will decrease those risks. The harvesting of firewood and scarification of the ground from equipment will mimic the natural disturbance of wildfire which will stimulate tree growth and create a more diverse forest. This can create a better, more productive forest stand and increase tree harvest in the future. This unit can be harvested during the winter months when the ground is frozen and there is a solid base and good ground support for vehicles and equipment. A temporary Page 11 of 16

14 winter snow road can be created to access the unit if needed. A winter harvest will have less of an effect on ground disturbance and soil erosion, thereby protecting the underlying vegetation. Firewood harvest is recommended to be postponed during spring break up so as not to lose or damage equipment or surrounding environment. IV. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 1. All possible firewood must be taken. New permits will not be given out until all firewood is removed from the first unit. 2. Stumps that are left will be no higher than 12 inches from the ground. 3. All large woody debris left behind will be cut into 4 ft lengths and scattered to help with decomposition. a) Logs can be left only if not fit for firewood use. 4. Take appropriate erosion control measures. a) Use an existing trail where feasible. b) Keep the integrity of drainages along the main road to help with runoff from harvest. c) Minimize damage from equipment to trunks and root systems of retained timber. 5. Limit traffic restrictions as much as possible. a) Road is used as a recreation road for ATVs and snow machines and travel to river, don t impede these activities. 6. Fire prevention and suppression measures should be taken during all harvest activities. a) Be watchful of sparks from chainsaws and other equipment. 7. All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations 8. All trash must be removed from site when firewood harvest is completed. Page 12 of 16

15 Map of firewood unit 4 Page 13 of 16

16 Firewood Unit 5 I. LOCATION AND ACCESS Firewood Unit Five is located at approximately mile 8.5 along the Klutina Road. The unit starts at the pull-off off the road and part of it borders the road. The unit is around 3 acres and the boundary is marked with pink flagging, with the corners of the plot double flagged. Below is a map of the unit area. This firewood unit is accessed by the Brenwick-Craig Road, or Klutina Road, from MP 102 on the Richardson Highway. The unit is off the Klutina Road right after MP 8 at a pull-off. Harvesters are responsible for access into the unit. (All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations.) II. SITE AND STAND CONDITIONS The firewood unit consists of black and white spruce, both live and dead, and some aspen. The understory is mostly willows and grass and there are some swamp areas within the unit. The ground is covered in a vegetative mat, moss and duff, which is fairly stable but can cause problems if broken through to the permafrost layer. The area is relatively flat and there old access trails throughout the unit. This area has been harvested for firewood before by shareholders. There is some blow down dead spruce and a good amount of good standing dead. The unit is about 3 acres, with approximately cords of deadwood on site, including downed and standing. Timber volumes are estimates based on imprecise field observations. The quantity and quality of the timber in this contract is estimated, not guaranteed. The area should be inspected before signing the contract. III. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS Wildfires have been suppressed in the Copper Basin area for decades, which has resulted in the built up of dead wood and increase of wildfire risk. The amount of dead wood in the area is a big fire hazard that can lead to more intense fires and help fuel the spread of fire. The harvest, or removal, of the dead wood from the area will decrease those risks. The harvesting of firewood and scarification of the ground from equipment will mimic the natural disturbance of wildfire which will stimulate tree growth and create a more diverse forest. This can create a better, more productive forest stand and increase tree harvest in the future. This unit can be harvested during the winter months when the ground is frozen and there is a solid base and good ground support for vehicles and equipment. A temporary winter snow road can be created to access the unit if needed. A winter harvest will have less of an effect on ground disturbance and soil erosion, thereby protecting the underlying vegetation. Firewood harvest is recommended to be postponed during spring break up so as not to lose or damage equipment or surrounding environment. Page 14 of 16

17 IV. CONTRACT REQUIREMENTS 1. All possible firewood must be taken. New permits will not be given out until all firewood is removed from the first unit. 2. Stumps that are left will be no higher than 12 inches from the ground. 3. All large woody debris left behind will be cut into 4 ft lengths and scattered to help with decomposition. a) Logs can be left only if not fit for firewood use. 4. Take appropriate erosion control measures. a) Use an existing trail where feasible. b) Keep the integrity of drainages along the main road to help with runoff from harvest. c) Minimize damage from equipment to trunks and root systems of retained timber. 5. Limit traffic restrictions as much as possible. a) Road is used as a recreation road for ATVs and snow machines and travel to river, don t impede these activities. 6. Fire prevention and suppression measures should be taken during all harvest activities. a) Be watchful of sparks from chainsaws and other equipment. 7. All trails, including winter roads, will be required to be maintained to the standards of 11 AAC of the Forest Resources and Practices Regulations 8. All trash must be removed from site when firewood harvest is completed. Page 15 of 16

18 Map of firewood unit 5 Page 16 of 16