forest management and stump to forest gate chain …dnr.maryland.gov/forests/documents/forest...

SCSGlobalServicesReport

FORESTMANAGEMENTAND

STUMP-TO-FORESTGATECHAIN-OF-CUSTODYSURVEILLANCEEVALUATIONREPORT

StateofMarylandDNR–ForestService

Maryland,USA

SCS-FM/COC-00069P580TaylorAve,E1

Annapolis,MD21401JackPerdue,ForestResourcePlanning,[email protected]

http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/

CERTIFIED EXPIRATION29/April/2014 28/April/2019

DATEOFFIELDAUDIT23-26/April/2018

DATEOFLASTUPDATE22/May/2018

SCSContact:BrendanGrady|Director

ForestManagementCertification+1.510.452.8000

[email protected]

2000PowellStreet,Ste.600,Emeryville,CA94608USA

+1.510.452.8000main|+1.510.452.8001faxwww.SCSglobalServices.com

ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC

Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page2of51

ForewordCycleinannualsurveillanceaudits

1stannualaudit

2ndannualaudit

3rdannualaudit

4thannualaudit

Other(expansionofscope,MajorCARaudit,specialaudit,etc.):

NameofForestManagementEnterprise(FME)andabbreviationusedinthisreport:

StateofMarylandDNR–ForestService(MDDNR,DNR)

AllcertificatesissuedbySCSundertheaegisoftheForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)requireannualauditstoascertainongoingconformancewiththerequirementsandstandardsofcertification.ApublicsummaryoftheinitialevaluationisavailableontheFSCCertificateDatabasehttp://info.fsc.org/.

PursuanttoFSCandSCSguidelines,annual/surveillanceauditsarenotintendedtocomprehensivelyexaminethefullscopeofthecertifiedforestoperations,asthecostofafull-scopeauditwouldbeprohibitiveanditisnotmandatedbyFSCauditprotocols.Rather,annualauditsarecomprisedofthreemaincomponents:

§ AfocusedassessmentofthestatusofanyoutstandingconditionsorCorrectiveActionRequests(CARs;seediscussioninsection4.0forthoseCARsandtheirdispositionasaresultofthisannualaudit);

§ Follow-upinquiryintoanyissuesthatmayhavearisensincetheawardofcertificationorpriortothisaudit;and

§ Asnecessarygiventhebreadthofcoverageassociatedwiththefirsttwocomponents,anadditionalfocusonselectedtopicsorissues,theselectionofwhichisnotknowntothecertificateholderpriortotheaudit.

OrganizationoftheReport

Thisreportoftheresultsofourevaluationisdividedintotwosections.SectionAprovidesthepublicsummaryandbackgroundinformationthatisrequiredbytheForestStewardshipCouncil.Thissectionismadeavailabletothepublicandisintendedtoprovideanoverviewoftheevaluationprocess,themanagementprogramsandpoliciesappliedtotheforest,andtheresultsoftheevaluation.SectionAwillbepostedontheFSCCertificateDatabase(http://info.fsc.org/)nolessthan90daysaftercompletionoftheon-siteaudit.SectionBcontainsmoredetailedresultsandinformationfortheusebytheFME.

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TableofContentsSECTIONA–PUBLICSUMMARY..................................................................................................................4

1.GENERALINFORMATION.........................................................................................................................41.1AnnualAuditTeam............................................................................................................................4

1.2TotalTimeSpentonEvaluation.........................................................................................................5

1.3StandardsEmployed..........................................................................................................................5

2ANNUALAUDITDATESANDACTIVITIES...................................................................................................52.1AnnualAuditItineraryandActivities.................................................................................................5

2.2EvaluationofManagementSystems.................................................................................................8

3.CHANGESINMANAGEMENTPRACTICES.................................................................................................8

4.RESULTSOFTHEEVALUATION.................................................................................................................94.1ExistingCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations.....................................................................9

4.2NewCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations........................................................................12

5.STAKEHOLDERCOMMENTS...................................................................................................................145.1StakeholderGroupsConsulted........................................................................................................14

5.2SummaryofStakeholderCommentsandResponsesfromtheTeam,WhereApplicable...............15

6.CERTIFICATIONDECISION......................................................................................................................15

7.CHANGESINCERTIFICATIONSCOPE......................................................................................................15

8.ANNUALDATAUPDATE.........................................................................................................................198.1SocialInformation............................................................................................................................19

8.2AnnualSummaryofPesticideandOtherChemicalUse..................................................................19

SECTIONB–APPENDICES(CONFIDENTIAL)...............................................................................................20Appendix1–ListofFMUsSelectedForEvaluation...............................................................................20

Appendix2–ListofStakeholdersConsulted.........................................................................................20

Appendix3–AdditionalAuditTechniquesEmployed...........................................................................22

Appendix4–PesticideDerogations......................................................................................................22

Appendix5–DetailedObservations.....................................................................................................22

Appendix6–ChainofCustodyIndicatorsforFMEs..............................................................................51



SECTIONA–PUBLICSUMMARY

1.GeneralInformation

1.1AnnualAuditTeamAuditorName: BethJacqmain Auditorrole: FSCLeadAuditorQualifications: BethJacqmainisaCertificationForesterwithSCSGlobalServices.MSForest

Biology/EcologyfromAuburnUniversityandBSForestManagementfromMichiganStateUniversity.Bethhas20+years’experienceintheforestryfieldincludingpubliclandmanagement,privateconsulting,andprivatecorporate.QualifiedANSIRABaccreditedISO14001EMSLeadAuditorandaqualifiedFSCLeadAuditorforForestManagement/ChainofCustody.AuditedandledFSCcertificationandprecertificationevaluations,harvestandloggingoperationscertificationevaluations,andhasparticipatedinjointPEFCandAmericanTreeFarmcertifications.A9-yearmemberoftheForestGuild,20yearadjunct-FacultywithItascaCommunityCollege,NaturalResourcesDepartment.Jacqmain’sexperienceisinforestmanagementandecology;ecosystemsilviculture;theuseofsilviculturetowardsmeetingstrategicandtacticalgoals;treeregeneration;foresttimberqualityimprovement,coniferthinningoperations,pinerestoration,andfireecologyinconiferdominatedsystems.BethhasexperienceinforestecologyandmanagementintheMidwest,PacificNorthwest,andthesoutheasternUS(oakecologyinlongleafpine-wiregrasssystems).

AuditorName: MikeFerrucci Auditorrole: SFILeadAuditorQualifications: MikeFerrucciisqualifiedasaRAB-QSALeadAuditor(ISO14001Environmental

ManagementSystems),asanSFILeadAuditorforForestManagement,Procurement,andChainofCustody,asanFSCLeadAuditorForestManagementandChainofCustody,asaTreeFarmGroupCertificationLeadAuditor,andasaGHGLeadAuditor.MikehasledSustainableForestInitiative(SFI)certificationandprecertificationreviewsthroughouttheUnitedStates.HehasalsoledorparticipatedinjointSFIandForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)certificationprojectsinnearlyonedozenstatesandajointscopingorprecertificationgap-analysisprojectontriballandsthroughouttheUnitedStates.Healsoco-ledthepioneeringpilotdualevaluationoftheLakeviewStewardshipUnitontheFremont-WinemaNationalForest.For12yearsMikewastheSFIProgramManagerforNSF–InternationalStrategicRegistrationsresponsibleforallaspectsofthefirm’sSFICertificationprograms.InthatroleMikedevelopedandmanagedoneofthelargestforestandchainofcustodycertificationprogramsintheU.S.MikehasconductedChainofCustodyauditsforallsegmentsoftheforestproductsindustry,includingprinters,corrugatedandboxproducers,integratedpapercompanies,paperdistributors,solidwoodmills,engineeredwoodproductsfacilities,brokers,anddistributors.Inauditswithpulpmills,corrugatedproducers,andboxplantsMikehasaddressedtheissuesinvolvingrecycledcontent.MikehasalsoconductedorparticipatedinassessmentsofforestmanagementoperationsthroughouttheUnitedStates,withfieldexperiencein4countriesand33states.MikeFerruccihas37yearsofforestmanagementexperience.Hisexpertiseisin



sustainableforestmanagementplanning;incertificationofforestsassustainablymanaged;intheapplicationofeasementsforlarge-scaleworkingforests,andintheecology,silviculture,andmanagementofmixedspeciesforests,withanemphasisonregenerationandmanagementofnativehardwoodspecies.MikehasconductedorparticipatedinassessmentsofforestmanagementoperationsthroughouttheUnitedStates,withfieldexperiencein4countriesand34states.MikehasbeenamemberoftheSocietyofAmericanForestersforoverfortyyears.HeisPastChairoftheSFIAuditor’sForum.MikeisalsoaLecturerattheYaleSchoolofForestryandEnvironmentalStudies,wherehehastaughtgraduatecoursesandworkshopsinforestmanagement,harvestingoperations,professionalforestethics,privateforestry,andfinancialanalysis.

1.2TotalTimeSpentonEvaluationA. Numberofdaysspenton-siteassessingtheapplicant: 3B. Numberofauditorsparticipatinginon-siteevaluation: 2C. Additionaldaysspentonpreparation,stakeholderconsultation,andpost-sitefollow-up: 2D. Totalnumberofpersondaysusedinevaluation: 8

1.3StandardsEmployed

1.3.1.ApplicableFSC-AccreditedStandards

TitleForestStewardshipStandardFSCUSFM(2010)FSCTrademarkStandard(FSC-STD-50-001V1-2)

AllstandardsemployedareavailableonthewebsitesofFSCInternational(www.fsc.org),theFSC-US(www.fscus.org)ortheSCSStandardspage(www.scsglobalservices.com/certification-standards-and-program-documents).Standardsarealsoavailable,uponrequest,fromSCSGlobalServices(www.SCSglobalServices.com).

1.3.2.SCSInterimFSCStandards

TitleSCSCOCindicatorsforFMEs,V6-0

ThisSCSInterimStandardwasdevelopedbymodifyingSCS’GenericInterimStandardtoreflectforestmanagementintheregionandbyincorporatingrelevantcomponentsoftheDraftRegional/NationalStandardandcommentsfromstakeholders.Morethanonemonthpriortothestartofthefieldevaluation,theSCSDraftInterimStandardforthecountry/regionwassentoutforcommenttostakeholdersidentifiedbyFSCInternational,SCS,theforestmanagersunderevaluation,andtheNationalInitiative.Acopyofthestandardisavailableatwww.scsglobalservices.com/certification-standards-and-program-documentsoruponrequestfromSCSGlobalServices(www.SCSglobalServices.com).

2AnnualAuditDatesandActivities

2.1AnnualAuditItineraryandActivitiesSummary:Theauditteamvisited32fieldsites,including:

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20completedorongoingtimberharvestsites,someofwhichincludedmultipletreatmentunitsthatwerereviewed;4recreationsites/trails(plusnumerousotherrecreationsitesobservedduringtravel);4siteswhereroadsand/orbridgeswerereviewedontheground,andseveralmilesofroadsthatwereassessedwhiledrivingbetweensiteswheretheteamstopped;1sitewhereasilviculturaltreatmentotherthanaharvest(herbicideassite-preparation)wasapplied;and3specialsitesofhistoricorecologicalsignificance.Afurtherdescriptionoftheauditevidenceisprovidedbelow,organizedbyStateForestandsitevisited.

April24-Tuesday:Potomac-GarretStateForest(PGSF)Location(AWP-codification) FY Notes

ManagedAc

HarvestAc

(PG-2015-S-01)EagleRock–Comp16-21&Comp23

2015 Tributarythroughcenterofarea,27acre,SMZis50'buffer+4'every1%grade,noequipment/nocut,inplantationsetting.Somedamagetoresidualtrees.ReceivedcopyofMDDNRFSRuttingGuidelines(2013). 27 26

PG-2016-S-05Wallman–Comp26-5

2016 Shelterwood,markedtreestocut.Someleft-overtreesthathadbeenmarkedforcut,DNRstaffaddressedwithloggerandtheissuewasmarketrelated.AcceptablewithinDNRsystemandinconformancewithFSCrequirements.

90 35

PG-2016-S-04Wallman–Comp25-30

2016 ShelterwoodinESA.MostESAsareset-asides.ThisonesetupduetoGoshawkpresenceabout10yearsago(uncommonforMaryland).Metwheritagebiologistwhooverseesraptorprogram.HeritagedesignatedascriticalhabitatforGoshawkinsouthernrange.Forestmanagersrecommendingtreatingmid-storytoopenforGoshawkflight.DepartmentsofWildlifeandHeritagestaffhelpedinlayoutandmarkingoftreesforharvest.Understorythinningfrombelow.

26 23

PG-2019-S-06-Snaggy-Comp33-6

2019 Thinnedin2012,lotsoftravelinareabyforestersforotheractivities.Overwinterindevelopingnextyearannualworkplan,tagthosethinnedw/inlast5years.Activityscheduledtomonitorforoakregen.Typically,willreleaseoakregenwhennoted.

11 11


2018 Hack&spray,18-acretreatmenttoremoveundesiredstemsandencourageregeneration. 33 20


2018 Siteassessedashavingverygoodregeneration.Overstoryremovalbeingplannedtoreleaseabundantregeneration(SILVAH). 16 13

April25-Wednesday:SavageRiverStateForest(SRSF)StJohnsRockIRVTrail,ParkingLot,andCampground

Openedlastyear,thisnewORVtrailsystemhasbeencarefully-designedandbuilttobalancesiteprotection,durability,easeofmaintenance,anddesireduserexperience.

BraddickRoadHistoricTrail

Thispre-revolutionarywarhistorictrailisprotectedandinterpreted.

(SR-2017-S-6)Comp1Stands40/42

2017 Completedhardwoodthinninginawell-stockedNorthernHardwood-Oakstandlackingadvancedregeneration.Confirmedhigh-qualitytimberharvestonasloping,rockysite.Residualstandhasverylittleloggingdamage.Slashandwaterbarshavestabilizedskidroads.Aregenerationreviewin4-5yearsmayallowforesterstochangenextplannedentryifexpected(butnotrequired)sugarmapleregenerationoccurs.

53 43

ForestAccessRoad Class3,Status2



(SR-2017-S-9)Comp11Stand1

2017 Completedshelterwoodestablishmentharvestfollowingherbicidetreatmentofwoodyvegetationfrom0.5to4inchesdbhandselectedpatchesofinterferingsedge/grass/fernlayer.Thewaterbarswereadequatebutcouldhavebeenbetter-constructed;despitemanyweeksofabnormally-wetweathertheroadhasnotwashedout.Twocrossingsofsmallwetswaleswerechallengingbutstable,withminimalamountsofsiltvisibleinthewater.

66 63


2018 Completedthinning21 21

(SR-2016-S-21)MargroffPlace–Comp14Stand36

2016 Completedthinningofanoverstocked65-year-oldNorwayspruceplantation.Spruceseedlings,mostarelessthan2feettall,werenotedbutarenotyetfactoredintosilviculturaldecisionsbecausetheforesthasn'tdevelopedapolicytopromotethem,althoughtheyaretolerated.

13 13

(SR-2016-S-22)MargroffPlace–Comp14Stand52

2016 Completedthinningofanoverstockedmixedconifer-hardwoodstanddominatedbyNorwaySpruce,redoakandblackcherry.Themountainbiketrailwasclosedduringtheharvest.Thetrailisnowopen,andbikershaveincorporatedsomeoftheavailableloggingslashintothetrailexperience(forramps/jumps).

5 5


2017 Completedoverstoryremovalwithvariableretentionof4-8treesperacreselectedmostlyforwildlifehabitat.Existingswitchbackskidroadshavebeenstabilizedusingslash,waterbarred,andseeding.Spuraccessroadgraveledandinverygoodcondition,withfunctioningdrainageprovisions

13


2017 Completedshelterwoodestablishmentharvestfollowingherbicidetreatmentofwoodyvegetationfrom0.5to4inchesdbhandselectedpatchesofinterferingsedge/grass/fernlayer. 8

HamboneMountainTrail

$30,000recreationaltrailgrant(thisisasnowmobiletrailthatalsoservesasaforestaccessroadformanagementandharvesting)andpreviousadditionsofgravelwerereviewed.Trail/roadisinexcellentcondition

MarkedharvestadjacenttotheHamboneMountainTrail

Marked,uncutclearcutwithoakretention.


2017 CompletedthinningalongNewGermanyRoad.Culvertsdrainingstateroadplacesufficientwaterthattheplannedbufferswereenlarged,basedonguidancefromMarylandDepartmentofEnvironment.Loggingpracticesprotectedthissensitivesiteandtheresidualstandoccupyingit.

23 18


2017 CompletedthinningalongNewGermanyRoad.Culvertsdrainingstateroadplacesufficientwaterthattheplannedbufferswereenlarged,basedonguidancefromMarylandDepartmentofEnvironment.Siteoftemporarybridge(nowremoved)indicatesthatthebridgeprotectedtheintermittentdrainageincludingbankswithoutanyimpactstowaterquality.

37 23

April26-Thursday:GreenRidgeStateForest(GRSF)



OldtownOrleansRoad(GR-2017-S-)GR-03-17

2017 Mixedoaktype.Completedvariableretentionharvestmarkedtokeepco-dominantsfavoringqualitywhiteoaks,target20sq.feet/acrebasalarea.Lastthinningdonein1990s.Discussion-Marketsincludepulp,logs,bridgeties,domesticfirewood(non-commercialbypermitonly).SMZsalongedgeswereinspected.SMZsreservedfollowingBMPs.Resultinbothclusteredanddispersedretention.Note:ginsengharvestshavebeenbannedinallSF.

69 43.5

HowardRoad(GR-2015-S)

2015 Retentiondispersedandclumped.SMZsalongcreeksalongbothedgesofharvestarea.Retainedco-dominantWOthroughoutstand.Removedmostoverstory.

32 21.5

AdjacentGR-07-16,HowardRoad(GR-2015-S)(unscheduled)

Thinningdone3-4yearsagoat44yearsold.Mixedoakmarkedtokeep.

MertensAve(GR-2016-S-)

2016 RecentlycompletedVRT,retaininglargeco-dominantsfavoringqualitywhiteoak.SMZsinspected. 73 46

PotomacBendsWildlands,Mertens/OutdoorClubRoad.HCVF(unscheduled)

ESA(HCVF)

ESAforrattlesnakeandshalebarrens.

OldtownOrleansRoad(GR-2017-S-)

2017 Mixedoakandsomepine.Markednotyetcut.VRTretainingmarkedcodominantsofmixed-oak.HCVF/SMZs 66 27

Oldtown/Orleans(GR-2015-S-)

2015 120-year-oldmixedoakstand.CompletedVRTretainingmarkedwhiteandscarletoak. 34 16

2.2EvaluationofManagementSystems

SCSdeploysinterdisciplinaryteamswithexpertiseinforestry,socialsciences,naturalresourceeconomics,andotherrelevantfieldstoassessanFME’sconformancetoFSCstandardsandpolicies.Evaluationmethodsincludedocumentandrecordreview,implementingsamplingstrategiestovisitabroadnumberofforestcoverandharvestprescriptiontypes,observationofimplementationofmanagementplansandpoliciesinthefield,andstakeholderanalysis.Whenthereismorethanoneteammember,teammembersmayreviewpartsofthestandardsbasedontheirbackgroundandexpertise.Onthefinaldayofanevaluation,teammembersconvenetodeliberatethefindingsoftheassessmentjointly.Thisinvolvesananalysisofallrelevantfieldobservations,stakeholdercomments,andrevieweddocumentsandrecords.Whereconsensusbetweenteammemberscannotbeachievedduetolackofevidence,conflictingevidenceordifferencesofinterpretationofthestandards,theteamisinstructedtoreporttheseinthecertificationdecisionsectionand/orinobservations.

3.ChangesinManagementPractices

Therewerenosignificantchangesinthemanagementand/orharvestingmethodsthataffecttheFME’sconformancetotheFSCstandardsandpolicies.

SignificantchangesoccurredsincethelastevaluationthatmayaffecttheFME’sconformancetoFSCstandardsandpolicies(describe):

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4.ResultsoftheEvaluation

4.1ExistingCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservationsFindingNumber:2017.1

Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification

3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):

FSCIndicator: FSC-US7.1.b,7.1.c.,and7.1.dNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):ContinuationofOBS2016.1,2016.3,and2016.4.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,theSustainableForestManagementPlans(SFMPs)fortheWesternRegionarecurrentlybeingrevisedforseveralreasons,includingupdatingtheinformationaboutthehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthelandscapeanddesiredfutureconditionsforthesespecies.SomeoptionsforconifermanagementarebeingexercisedasdescribedinAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs),asinthecaseoftheNortherngoshawk.TheSFMPsdescribethehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).However,thehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthemanagementplancouldbeexpandedtoincludetheknowledgepresentedbylocalforestrystaffin2016,whichcouldhelpsetthestageforconiferobjectivesonthelandscape.FMEisconsideringexpandingtheuseofnative(e.g.,Easternwhitepine,Easternhemlock,Virginiapine,Shortleafpine,etc.)andnon-nativeconifers(e.g.,NorwayspruceandRedpine)oncertainsitesasawildlifemanagementcomponent,torestorenativespecies(bothconiferandbroadleaf),andpossiblytoadapttoclimatechangeandinvasivepests/pathogens.Atthelandscapelevel,FMEhascompletedapartialassessmentoftheconifercoverasdescribedinitsresponsetoOBS2016.1,butawaytocomparethecounty-levelinformationfromtheearly1900stotodayisincomplete.InformationoncurrentconifercoveronWesternStateForestsiscomplete.Atthelandscapelevel,thedesiredfutureconditionofthenativeandnon-nativeconifercomponent,includingselectionofspeciesthatwillmeetsocial,economic,andecologicalobjectivesdependingonsiteconditions,hasnotbeenfullycompleted.FMEstaffpointedoutthatmaintenanceofcurrentconditionsmaybedesirableinmanyinstances.However,opportunitiestoexploreconnectivitybetweenconifercovertypesforwildlifemovement,hydrologyorotherobjectivescouldbeexplored.

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CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshoulddescribehistoricalecologicalconditions,historyoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).TheFMEshoulddescribea)currentconditionsofthetimberandnon-timberforestresourcesbeingmanaged;b)desiredfutureconditions;c)historicalecologicalconditions;andd)applicablemanagementobjectivesandactivitiestomovetheFMUtowarddesiredfutureconditionsFMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

Documents:• FSCCorrectiveActionPlan2017• EvergreenForestAnalysisofGarrettandAlleganyCounty,sections

MethodologyandEvaluationActions:Ananalysiswascompletedof“theroleofconifersinthenaturalhistory,historiccomposition,andecology”ofWesternMarylandforests.ThisworkwasincludedintheupdatesSustainableForestManagementPlans(SFMPs)forGreenRidge(AppendixK),SavageRiver(AppendixJ)andPotomacGarrettStateForest(AppendixJ).FMEusedESRIsoftwareandhigh-resolutionsatelliteimagery,toconductanevaluationofthecurrentconifercover.Withthisnowavailable,FMEoverlaidmapsofthehistoricconifercoverasdescribedandmappedbyFredBesley,Maryland’sfirststateforester,fromhisinventory,bookandmapsentitled“TheForestsofMaryland”aroundtheearly1900.

SCSreview SFMPswereconfirmedtocontainthedescribedinformation.ESRImappingwasexaminedintheGRSFoffice.Detailedwrittenevaluationwasprovided.Reviewsofprovideddocumentsandinterviewswithstaffconfirmthatinformationaboutconiferdistributions/abundancewasderivedandincorporatedintomanagementplanningandstaffforestertraining.SeveralESA/HCVFsitesadjacenttoharvestareaswereobservedduringtheauditandconfirmedtobeappropriatelyprotectedfromdisturbance.Forexample,seesitenotes-PotomacBendsWildlands,Mertens/OutdoorClubRoad.HCVF(unscheduledstop).ActionstakenbytheFMEandconformanceconfirmedduringsiteinspectionswarrantclosureofthisObservation.

StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)

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FindingNumber:2017.2



FSCIndicator: FSC-US7.1.e.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):UpgradeofOBS2016.4.In2016,theFY2017AnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)werestillunderdraftandthustheissuewithincompleteAWPswasnotanonconformity.Whilemanyofthesensitiveresourcesinquestionmaybemaintainedunderpassivemanagement,theAWPsarebeingimplementedwithoutsufficientreviewfromNaturalHeritagestaff.Notonlyisreviewofoptionsforconservationand/ormaintenanceofRTEspeciesandcommunitiesanintegralpartoftheFME’sprocedures,italsoissomethingthatstakeholdersexpectfromFSC-certifiedentitiestoconformtoindicator7.1.e.TheAWPsareacomponentofthemanagementplan.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,ofconcernisthesensitivenatureofsomeofthenaturalheritageinformation.Asisthecaseinmoststates,confidentialinformationmaybeexcludedfrompubliclyavailabledocumentsinordertoprotecttheresource.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshallincludeadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlineactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:

• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandnaturalcommunities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityandwildlifehabitats(seeCriterion6.3);• waterresources(seeCriterion6.5);• soilresources(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.

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FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

Documents:• GreenRidge,SavageRiver,andPotomacGarrettStateForestsSustainable

ForestManagementPlanrevised2018,chapter7• FSCCorrectiveActionPlan2017• SustainableForestManagementPlansforStateForestsActions:FromtheFSCCorrectiveActionPlan2017:Thedesignation“EcologicallySignificantArea”isusedtoidentifyuniquesitesthathavespecialecologicalsignificance.Theseareashavebeenspecificallydelineatedandmustbegivencarefulmanagementconsideration.ESAsareareasthatharbororcouldpotentiallyharborrare,threatenedorendangered(RTE)speciesand/oruniquenaturalcommunitytypes.TheseareasarealsodesignatedasHighConservationValueForest(HCVF).Rarethreatenedorendangeredspeciesand/oruniquenaturalcommunitytypesfallundertwocategoriesofourHCVFdefinition,theyare:(HCV1)Forestareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificantconcentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.endangeredspecies)and(HCV3)Forestareasthatarein/orcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystems.WhileinGarrettandAlleganycounties,EcologicallySignificantAreasaregenerallyhabitatreservesandprotectedfromforestharvestactivity,somehavebeenidentifiedasareasthatwillrequiresilviculturetoenhancetheiruniquecharacter.ArecentexampleistheprescriptiveworkdoneonPotomacGarrettStateForest(PGSF)toenhanceconifercovertoserveasperspectivegoshawknestingareas.Wehavediscussedthisworkonpreviousauditsandwillseethefinishedworkaspartofthe2018audit.

SCSreview Referenceddocumentswerereviewedandconfirmedtocontaintheinformationasdescribed.Implementationwasobservedduringthe2018PGSFaudit,seesitenotesforPG-2016-S-04Wallman–Comp25-30,Goshawkmanagementsite.EvidenceofNaturalHeritagecollaborationintheassessmentandprescriptiondevelopmentwasprovidedforthissitemanagedformid-storytreeremovalperGoshawkhabitatpreferences.Evidenceforcollaborationwithotherdivisionswasincludedinprescriptiondocuments.InterviewswithForestersconfirmknowledge,training,andunderstandingofrequiredconservationandprotectionreviews.ActionstakenbytheFMEwarrantclosureofthisCAR.


4.2NewCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations

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FSCIndicator: 7.2.aNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):ManagementPlanshavesomeincidentalinformationthatisoutofdate.Forexample,theSRSFManagementPlanincludesthestatement,"SRSFhasbeenconductinganextensiveforestinventoryprojectforpast5years,”whentheprojecthadbeencompleted.Severalincidental,non-criticalstatementsshouldbecleanedupintheupdated/revisedforestmanagementplans.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):Themanagementplaniskeptuptodate.Itisreviewedonanongoingbasisandisupdatedwhenevernecessarytoincorporatetheresultsofmonitoringornewscientificandtechnicalinformation,aswellastorespondtochangingenvironmental,socialandeconomiccircumstances.Ataminimum,afullrevisionoccursevery10years.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

SCSreview StatusofCAR: Closed

UpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)




FSCIndicator: FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.15Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):ThecurrenttimbersalecontracttemplateandassociatedAddendausedbyMDDNRdonotusetheappropriatetrademarksymbol.DocumentIDisDNR/FS-352,Rev.ppc:12/16.

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X



CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheuseoftheFSC“checkmark-and-tree”logoisdirectlyaccompaniedbytheappropriatetrademarksymbols®or™(insuperscriptfont).Theappropriatesymbolalsoaccompaniesthefirstuseof“FSC”and“ForestStewardshipCouncil”inanytext.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

FMEsubmittedeighttimbersaledocumentsandtemplatescreatedwithFSClabeling.FMEupdateddocumentsandsubmittedeachforapproval.ApprovalwasgrantedviaSCSreview.FMEprovidedscreencaptureofthosesubmittalson11June2018.

SCSreview SCSreviewedsubmittedevidence,confirmedappropriatecorrectionsweremadetobeinconformance,andconfirmedwithSCSlogouseapprovalsinternally.CARclosed11June2018.


5.StakeholderComments

InaccordancewithSCSprotocols,consultationwithkeystakeholdersisanintegralcomponentoftheevaluationprocess.Stakeholderconsultationtakesplacepriorto,concurrentwith,andfollowingfieldevaluations.Distinctpurposesofsuchconsultationinclude:

§ TosolicitinputfromaffectedpartiesastothestrengthsandweaknessesoftheFME’smanagement,relativetothestandard,andthenatureoftheinteractionbetweenthecompanyandthesurroundingcommunities.

§ Tosolicitinputonwhethertheforestmanagementoperationhasconsultedwithstakeholdersregardingidentifyinganyhighconservationvalueforests(HCVFs).

Principalstakeholdergroupsareidentifiedbaseduponresultsfrompastevaluations,listsofstakeholdersfromtheFMEunderevaluation,andadditionalstakeholdercontactsfromothersources(e.g.,chairoftheregionalFSCworkinggroup).Thefollowingtypesofgroupsandindividualsweredeterminedtobeprincipalstakeholdersinthisevaluation:

5.1StakeholderGroupsConsultedNone

StakeholderconsultationactivitiesareorganizedtogiveparticipantstheopportunitytoprovidecommentsaccordingtogeneralcategoriesofinterestbasedonthethreeFSCchambers,aswellastheSCSInterimStandard,ifonewasused.Thetablebelowsummarizesthemajorcommentsreceivedfromstakeholdersandtheassessmentteam’sresponse.Whereastakeholdercommenthastriggeredasubsequentinvestigationduringtheevaluation,thecorrespondingfollow-upactionandconclusionsfromSCSarenotedbelow.

X



5.2SummaryofStakeholderCommentsandResponsesfromtheTeam,WhereApplicable

FMEhasnotreceivedanystakeholdercommentsfrominterestedpartiesasaresultofstakeholderoutreachactivitiesduringthisannualaudit.Stakeholdercomments SCSResponseEconomicconcerns Socialconcerns Environmentalconcerns

6.CertificationDecisionThecertificateholderhasdemonstratedcontinuedoverallconformancetotheapplicableForestStewardshipCouncilstandards.TheSCSannualauditteamrecommendsthatthecertificatebesustained,subjecttosubsequentannualauditsandtheFME’sresponsetoanyopenCARs.

Yes No

Comments:• MarylandDNR’sWesternRegionprovidedanumberofexamplesofexcellenceinretainingstand-

levelwildlifehabitatelementssuchassnags,stumps,masttrees,downwoodydebris,dentreesandnesttrees.Snag,denandotherdefinedwildlifetreesweremarkedforretentionwithinstandsandallSMZsobservedweresufficienttoretainthesestandlevelelements.

• TheDNRforestrystaffdemonstratedstrongcollaborativeapproachestodesigningforeststandprescriptionsbetweenandamongStateForestTechniciansandForesterstotakefulladvantageofthebroadrangeofeducationandexperienceavailable.

7.ChangesinCertificationScope

Anychangesinthescopeofthecertificationsincethepreviousauditarehighlightedinyellowinthetablesbelow.

NameandContactInformation

Organizationname StateofMarylandDNR–ForestServiceContactperson JackPerdueAddress 580TaylorAve,E1

Annapolis,MD21401Telephone 410-260-8505Fax 410-260-8595e-mail [email protected] dnr.maryland.gov/forests

FSCSalesInformation

FSCSalescontactinformationsameasabove.FSCsalesperson

X

X

X



Address Telephone Fax e-mail Website

ScopeofCertificate

CertificateTypeSingleFMU MultipleFMU

GroupNumberofFMUsinscopeofcertificate 1Geographiclocationofnon-SLIMFFMU(s) Latitude&Longitude:

SavageRiverStateForest-39.576,-79.129GreenRidgeStateForest-39.631,-78.475PotomacStateForest-39.472,-79.439GarrettStateForest-39.341,-79.28PocomokeStateForest-38.15,-75.487ChesapeakeForestLands-38.329,-75.799

Forestzone Boreal Temperate

Subtropical Tropical

Totalforestareainscopeofcertificatewhichis:Units: haor acprivatelymanaged statemanaged 211,044communitymanaged

NumberofFMUsinscopethatare:lessthan100hainarea 100-1000hainarea 1000-10000hainarea

morethan10000hainarea 1

TotalforestareainscopeofcertificatewhichisincludedinFMUsthat:Units: haor acarelessthan100hainarea -arebetween100haand1000hainarea -meettheeligibilitycriteriaaslowintensitySLIMFFMUs

-

DivisionofFMUsintomanageableunits:FMEconsiderstwoforestregionsbasedonregionalforesttypes:EasternandWesternRegions.FMEthendividesthestateforestsystemintofourgeographicdistricts.Undereachgeographicdistricttherearestateforests,whicharethenmanagedaccordingtoastateforest-levellong-termmanagementplanandannualworkplan.AfulldescriptionofhowtheFMUisdividedintomanageableunitsisavailablepubliclyviatheFME’swebsite:http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/.

ProductionForests

TimberForestProductsUnits: haor ac

Totalareaofproductionforest(i.e.forestfromwhichtimbermaybeharvested)

135,101

X

X

X

x



FSCProductClassification

Areaofproductionforestclassifiedas'plantation' Areaofproductionforestregeneratedprimarilybyreplantingorbyacombinationofreplantingandcoppicingoftheplantedstems

Areaofproductionforestregeneratedprimarilybynaturalregeneration,orbyacombinationofnaturalregenerationandcoppicingofthenaturallyregeneratedstems

2.4mmbfundervolregulation,plus780acunderarearegulation

Silviculturalsystem(s) Areaundertypeofmanagement

Even-agedmanagement NochangesClearcut(clearcutsizerange

) Shelterwood Other:

Uneven-agedmanagement NochangesIndividualtreeselection Groupselection Other:

Other(e.g.nursery,recreationarea,windbreak,bamboo,silvo-pastoralsystem,agro-forestrysystem,etc.)

Thesustainablerateofharvest(usuallyAnnualAllowableHarvestorAAHwhereavailable)ofcommercialtimber(m3ofroundwood)

2.4mmbfundervolregulation,plus780acunderarearegulation

Non-timberForestProducts(NTFPs)AreaofforestprotectedfromcommercialharvestingoftimberandmanagedprimarilyfortheproductionofNTFPsorservices

-

OtherareasmanagedforNTFPsorservices -Approximateannualcommercialproductionofnon-timberforestproductsincludedinthescopeofthecertificate,byproducttype

-

ExplanationoftheassumptionsandreferencetothedatasourceuponwhichAAHandNTFPharvestratesestimatesarebased:SeeSFMPChapter5,AppendixHandCFISummaryforeachStateForest.MDDNRusesRemsoft’sWoodstockprogramtoanalyzeforestinventorydatatoprojectsustainableharvestlevelsbasedonallowedsilviculturalsystems.Harvestratesarebasedonareacontrolratherthanvolumecontrolcurrently.Forexample,theGreenRidgeSFMPincludesadescriptionofthemaximumnumberofacresthatmaybetreatedwithvariableretentionharvests.AppendixHincludesadescriptionoftheassumptionsbehindthegrowthandyieldmodeling,includingtheelementsoftheindicator.Summariesofprojectedgrowthandallowableharvestsbasedongrowthrates,mortality,disease,etc.areincludedinAppendixH.SpeciesinscopeofjointFM/COCcertificate:(Scientific/LatinNameandCommon/TradeName)Acerrubrum;Acerspp.;Caryaspp.;Celtisoccidentalis;Fagusgrandifolia;Fraxinusspp.;JuglansnigraL.;LiquidambarstyracifluaL.;LiriodendrontulipiferaL.;NyssasylvaticaMarsh;Pinusechinata;Pinustaeda;Pinusserotina;Quercusspp.;Quercusalba;Quercusrubra;TiliaamericanaL;Tsugacanadensis(L.)Carr.;Ulmusspp.

Timberproducts



ConservationAreas

Totalareaofforestandnon-forestlandprotectedfromcommercialharvestingoftimberandmanagedprimarilyforconservationobjectives: 71,390ac

HighConservationValueForest/Areas

HighConservationValuespresentandrespectiveareas:Units: haor acCode HCVType Description&Location AreaHCV1 Forestsorareascontainingglobally,

regionallyornationallysignificantconcentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.endemism,endangeredspecies,refugia).

EcologicallySignificant/Wildlands-Easternregion;EcologicallySignificant/Wildlands-Westernregion

15,226

16,656

HCV2 Forestsorareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificantlargelandscapelevelforests,containedwithin,orcontainingthemanagementunit,whereviablepopulationsofmostifnotallnaturallyoccurringspeciesexistinnaturalpatternsofdistributionandabundance.

HCV3 Forestsorareasthatareinorcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystems.

CoreFIDshabitat;coreDFShabitat–Easternregion;oldgrowthandoldgrowthmanagement–Westernregion

18,484

24,874

HCV4 Forestsorareasthatprovidebasicservicesofnatureincriticalsituations(e.g.watershedprotection,erosioncontrol).

RiparianBufferAreas–Easternregion;RiparianBufferAreas–Westernregion

38,274

2,145

HCV5 Forestsorareasfundamentaltomeetingbasicneedsoflocalcommunities(e.g.subsistence,health).

HCV6 Forestsorareascriticaltolocalcommunities’traditionalculturalidentity(areasofcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificanceidentifiedincooperationwithsuchlocalcommunities).

ProductLevel1 ProductLevel2 SpeciesW1RoughWood W1.1Roundwood(logs) All W1.2FuelWood W1.3Twigs W3Woodinchipsorparticles

W3.1Woodchips All

Non-TimberForestProductsProductLevel1 ProductLevel2 ProductLevel3andSpecies



TotalAreaofforestclassifiedas‘HighConservationValueForest/Area’ 71,984

AreasOutsideoftheScopeofCertification(PartialCertificationandExcision)

N/A–Allforestlandownedormanagedbytheapplicantisincludedinthescope.

Applicantownsand/ormanagesotherFMUsnotunderevaluation.

ApplicantwishestoexciseportionsoftheFMU(s)underevaluationfromthescopeofcertification.ExplanationforexclusionofFMUsand/orexcision:

TheStateForestslistedbelowhaveverylittlesilviculturalactivityandarerelativelysmallinacreage.

Controlmeasurestopreventmixingofcertifiedandnon-certifiedproduct(C8.3):

Theseadditionalpropertiesarenotlocatedneartheareasincludedinthecurrentorexpandedcertificationscope.Harvestingisverylimitedandusuallyforsalvageordemonstration.ThesepropertiesarenotallowedtousetheFSCcertificateorlicensecodesandthereisnoriskofmixingforestproducts.

DescriptionofFMUsexcludedfrom,orforestedareaexcisedfrom,thescopeofcertification:NameofFMUorStand Location(city,state,country) Size( haor ac)ElkNeckStateForest Northeast,MD,Cecil 3,380CedarvilleStateForest Brandywine,MD,PrinceGeorges 3,625DoncasterDemonstrationForest

Ironsides,MD,Charles 1,953

StoneyDemonstrationForest Aberdeen,MD,Harford 318SalemStateForest Leonardtown,MD,StMary’s 837

8.AnnualDataUpdate

8.1SocialInformationNumberofforestworkers(includingcontractors)workinginforestwithinscopeofcertificate(differentiatedbygender):#ofmaleworkers 34 #offemaleworkers10Numberofaccidentsinforestworksincelastaudit: Serious:#0 Fatal:#0

8.2AnnualSummaryofPesticideandOtherChemicalUse

FSC_MD_PesticideRpt_2018.xls

X

X

ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL


SECTIONB–APPENDICES(CONFIDENTIAL)

Appendix1–ListofFMUsSelectedForEvaluation

FMEconsistsofasingleFMU

FMEconsistsofmultipleFMUsorisaGroup

Appendix2–ListofStakeholdersConsulted

ListofFMEStaffConsulted

OpeningMeetingDate: April24,2018 ClosingMeetingDate: April26,2018

X



ListofotherStakeholdersConsulted

Name Organization ContactInformation

Consultationmethod

RequestsCert.Notf.

Nil

Appendix3–AdditionalAuditTechniquesEmployed

None.

Additionaltechniquesemployed(describe):

Appendix4–PesticideDerogations

TherearenoactivepesticidederogationsforthisFME.

Appendix5–DetailedObservationsCriteriarequiredbyFSCateverysurveillance

NA–allFMUsareexemptfromtheserequirements.

X

X



audit(checkallsituationsthatapply)

Plantations>10,000ha(24,710ac):2.3,4.2,4.4,6.7,6.9,10.6,10.7,and10.8

Naturalforests>50,000ha(123,553ac)(‘lowintensity’SLIMFsexempt):1.5,2.3,3.2,4.2,4.4,5.6,6.2,6.3,8.2,and9.4

FMUscontainingHighConservationValues(‘smallforest’SLIMFsexempt):6.2,6.3,6.9and9.4

DocumentsandrecordsreviewedforFMUs/sitessampled

Allapplicabledocumentsandrecordsasrequiredinsection7ofauditplanwerereviewed;or

Thefollowingdocumentsandrecordsasrequiredinsection7oftheauditplanwereNOTreviewed(provideexplanation):

EvaluationYear FSCP&CReviewed2014 All–(Re)certificationEvaluation2015 1.3,1.5,1.6,2.3,3.1,3.2,3.4,4.2,4.4,5.6,6.2,6.3,6.5,6.6,6.9,7.1,7.2,

7.4,8.2,8.3(COCindicatorsforFMEs)and9.42016 1.1,1.2,1.4,1.5,2.3,3.2,4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,4.5,5.5,5.6,6.2,6.3,6.7,6.8,

6.9,6.10,7.3,8.2and9.42017 SeealsomandatoryCriteria;and2.1,2.2,3.3,6.1,8.1,8.4,and8.5.2018 SeealsomandatoryCriteriaabove;and5.1,5.2,5.3,5.4,6.4,9.1,9.2,and

9.3.C=ConformancewithCriterionorIndicatorNC=NonconformancewithCriterionorIndicatorNA=NotApplicableNE=NotEvaluated

AbbreviationsforMarylandDNRStateForestswhichmaybeusedinthischecklist:

CF/PSF=ChesapeakeForest/PocomokeStateForestDFS=DelmarvaFoxSquirrelESA=EcologicallySignificantAreaFIDS=ForestInteriorDwellingSpeciesNGSP=NewGermanyStateParkPGSF=Potomac-GarretStateForestGRSF=GreenRidgeStateForest

S/FMP=Sustainable/ForestManagementPlanSRSF=SavageRiverStateForestROW=Right-of-wayRTE=Rare,threatenedorendangeredNRP=NaturalResourcesPolice

REQUIREMENT C/NC COMMENT/CAR

Principle#1:CompliancewithLawsandFSCPrinciplesForestmanagementshallrespectallapplicablelawsofthecountryinwhichtheyoccur,andinternationaltreatiesandagreementstowhichthecountryisasignatory,andcomplywithallFSCPrinciplesandCriteria.1.1Forestmanagementshallrespectallnationalandlocallawsandadministrativerequirements.

NE

1.2.Allapplicableandlegallyprescribedfees, NE

X

X

X



royalties,taxesandotherchargesshallbepaid.1.3.Insignatorycountries,theprovisionsofallbindinginternationalagreementssuchasCITES,ILOConventions,ITTA,andConventiononBiologicalDiversity,shallberespected.

NE

1.4.Conflictsbetweenlaws,regulationsandtheFSCPrinciplesandCriteriashallbeevaluatedforthepurposesofcertification,onacasebycasebasis,bythecertifiersandtheinvolvedoraffectedparties.

NE

1.5.Forestmanagementareasshouldbeprotectedfromillegalharvesting,settlementandotherunauthorizedactivities.

C

1.5.a.TheforestownerormanagersupportsorimplementsmeasuresintendedtopreventillegalandunauthorizedactivitiesontheForestManagementUnit(FMU).

C FMEhasadepartmentofNaturalResourcesPolice(NRP)thatregularlypatrolstatelandstopreventanddetectunauthorizedactivities.Inaddition,FMEgatesroadsandpostssignagethatcitesapplicablelawsandregulations.

1.5.b.Ifillegalorunauthorizedactivitiesoccur,theforestownerormanagerimplementsactionsdesignedtocurtailsuchactivitiesandcorrectthesituationtotheextentpossibleformeetingalllandmanagementobjectiveswithconsiderationofavailableresources.

C FMEdidnotreportanysignificantillegalorunauthorizedactivitiessincethelastaudit.Perinterviewswithstaff,FME’sNRPprosecutesorfinesviolators.NRPalsoworkswithlocallawenforcementtodealwithmorecomplexsituationsinvolvingillegalactivities,suchasmarijuanaoperations.FMEstaffregularlycleanupdumpsitestoavoidattraction.Interviewswithstaffindicatethatoutsideofthisoccasionaldumping,therehavebeennomajorillegalorunauthorizedactivities.

1.6.Forestmanagersshalldemonstratealong-termcommitmenttoadheretotheFSCPrinciplesandCriteria.

NE

Principle#2:Long-termtenureanduserightstothelandandforestresourcesshallbeclearlydefined,documentedandlegallyestablished.2.1.Clearevidenceoflong-termforestuserightstotheland(e.g.,landtitle,customaryrights,orleaseagreements)shallbedemonstrated.

NE

2.2.Localcommunitieswithlegalorcustomarytenureoruserightsshallmaintaincontrol,totheextentnecessarytoprotecttheirrightsorresources,overforestoperationsunlesstheydelegatecontrolwithfreeandinformedconsenttootheragencies.

NE

2.3.Appropriatemechanismsshallbeemployedtoresolvedisputesovertenureclaimsanduserights.Thecircumstancesandstatusofanyoutstandingdisputeswillbeexplicitlyconsideredinthecertificationevaluation.Disputesofsubstantialmagnitudeinvolvingasignificantnumberofinterestswillnormallydisqualifyanoperationfrombeingcertified.

C

2.3.aIfdisputesariseregardingtenureclaimsoruse C FMEstaffreportednonewdisputesovertenureclaimsoruse



rightsthentheforestownerormanagerinitiallyattemptstoresolvethemthroughopencommunication,negotiation,and/ormediation.Ifthesegood-faitheffortsfail,thenfederal,state,and/orlocallawsareemployedtoresolvesuchdisputes.

rights.Unlikeprioryearstherearecurrentlynoencroachmentissues.Eachstateforestmaintainsitsownrecords,butthelandplanningofficemaybecomeinvolvedinreviewingrecordsandsurveyinformation.FME’slawyersatheadquartersreviewboundarydisputesandencroachmentandtakethefinalactionstoresolvetheseissues.

2.3.bTheforestownerormanagerdocumentsanysignificantdisputesovertenureanduserights.

C

Principle#3:Thelegalandcustomaryrightsofindigenouspeoplestoown,useandmanagetheirlands,territories,andresourcesshallberecognizedandrespected.3.1.Indigenouspeoplesshallcontrolforestmanagementontheirlandsandterritoriesunlesstheydelegatecontrolwithfreeandinformedconsenttootheragencies.

NE

3.2.Forestmanagementshallnotthreatenordiminish,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,theresourcesortenurerightsofindigenouspeoples.

NA

3.2.aDuringmanagementplanning,theforestownerormanagerconsultswithAmericanIndiangroupsthathavelegalrightsorotherbindingagreementstotheFMUtoavoidharmingtheirresourcesorrights.

NA Therearenotribalforestmanagementorownership/userightsonFMElands.TherearenositesofspecialtribalsignificanceonthecertifiedFMU.TherearenotribeswithlegalrightsorbindingagreementstotheFMU,asconfirmedthroughinterviewswithstaffandreviewoftenuredocumentsunderC2.1.RoutinecommunicationwithChiefsinregardtomanagementactivitiesandpublicpostingofAWP’sontheforestwebsite.FMEstaffreportedthatactivitiesin2017-2018didnotaffectanytribalissues.

3.2.bDemonstrableactionsaretakensothatforestmanagementdoesnotadverselyaffecttribalresources.Whenapplicable,evidenceof,andmeasuresfor,protectingtribalresourcesareincorporatedinthemanagementplan.

NA

3.3.Sitesofspecialcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificancetoindigenouspeoplesshallbeclearlyidentifiedincooperationwithsuchpeoples,andrecognizedandprotectedbyforestmanagers.

NE

3.4.Indigenouspeoplesshallbecompensatedfortheapplicationoftheirtraditionalknowledgeregardingtheuseofforestspeciesormanagementsystemsinforestoperations.Thiscompensationshallbeformallyagreeduponwiththeirfreeandinformedconsentbeforeforestoperationscommence.

NE

Principle#4:Forestmanagementoperationsshallmaintainorenhancethelong-termsocialandeconomicwell-beingofforestworkersandlocalcommunities.4.1.Thecommunitieswithin,oradjacentto,theforestmanagementareashouldbegivenopportunitiesforemployment,training,andotherservices.

NE

4.2.Forestmanagementshouldmeetorexceedall C



applicablelawsand/orregulationscoveringhealthandsafetyofemployeesandtheirfamilies.4.2.aTheforestownerormanagermeetsorexceedsallapplicablelawsand/orregulationscoveringhealthandsafetyofemployeesandtheirfamilies(alsoseeCriterion1.1).

C OnceincidentwithacontractloggerdoesnotqualifyunderDNRsystem.Inspectionsheetsrecorded2July2017,Wallmancomplexsale.Documentedincidentwithlogger,notifiedupthechainofcommand.DNRstaffwereon-siteafterEMSonscenetoescortoff-sitebutEMScrewhadalreadyleft.Stafffollowedupasappropriate.FMEreportednootheraccidentsorsafetyincidentssincethelastaudit,andthattherehavebeennochangestohealth&safetyregulationsorcontracttemplates.OSHApostingswereobservedinallstateforestoffices.PerinterviewswithFMEstaff,allareawareofhealthandsafetylawsandreceiveregulartrainingonthesubject.TrainingrecordswereprovidedforFMEstaffandstaffofcontractors(e.g.,ParkerForestryStaffTraining-March24,2015thruApril21,2017).AuditorsexaminedpersonnelfilesmaintainedatPotomac-GarretStateForest,whichcontaintrainingrecordssuchasEMS,pest,firecertification,FEMA,stateforestrylicenses,firstaidandCPR,FEMA,wildlandfire,traildesign&construction,Erosioncontroltraining.TrackedforCFEsforSAFandtomaintainstatelicenseissuedbyDepartmentLaborLicenseandRegulation.Auditorsconfirmedpesticideapplicators’licensesfortwoqualifiedstaffatthePotomac-GarrettStateForest(JohnDenning,30327-36483;JasonSavage30327).ReviewPPE,listofpesticidesallowed.MSDSandlabelshavepapercopiesinstorageshed.Willpostsignsforsprayareasdependingonchemical,target,andamountofresidential.GPSsitesandRxwithmapsforspraysitesincludes:date,herbicide,target,applicator,date.

4.2.bTheforestownerormanagerandtheiremployeesandcontractorsdemonstrateasafeworkenvironment.Contractsorotherwrittenagreementsincludesafetyrequirements.

C Evidenceofsafefellingtechniqueswereobservedinthefieldonstumpsanduseofslashonskidtrails.Contractscontainedrequiredsafetylanguage.

4.2.cTheforestownerormanagerhireswell-qualifiedserviceproviderstosafelyimplementthemanagementplan.

C Throughuseofacompetitivebiddingsystemanduseofstrictcontractsthatincludeloggerlicensingandsafetyrequirements,FMEensuresthatitusesqualifiedserviceproviders.Evidence:contractsforalltimbersales.

4.3TherightsofworkerstoorganizeandvoluntarilynegotiatewiththeiremployersshallbeguaranteedasoutlinedinConventions87and98oftheInternationalLaborOrganization(ILO).

NE

4.4.Managementplanningandoperationsshall C



incorporatetheresultsofevaluationsofsocialimpact.Consultationsshallbemaintainedwithpeopleandgroups(bothmenandwomen)directlyaffectedbymanagementoperations.4.4.aTheforestownerormanagerunderstandsthelikelysocialimpactsofmanagementactivities,andincorporatesthisunderstandingintomanagementplanningandoperations.Socialimpactsincludeeffectson:• Archeologicalsitesandsitesofcultural,historical

andcommunitysignificance(onandofftheFMU;• Publicresources,includingair,waterandfood

(hunting,fishing,collecting);• Aesthetics;• Communitygoalsforforestandnaturalresource

useandprotectionsuchasemployment,subsistence,recreationandhealth;

• Communityeconomicopportunities;• Otherpeoplewhomaybeaffectedby

managementoperations.AsummaryisavailabletotheCB.

C TheAnnualWorkPlanandIDTeamprocessesareexamplesofplanningeffortsthatallowforconsiderationofsocialimpactsasdescribedinthisindicator.FMEmostrecentlyupdateditssocialimpactssummaryin2015.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,WesternStateForestshaveengagedincooperativeprojectwithFrostburgStateUniversitytocarryoutaRecreation/TourismEconomicImpactStudy,withsurveyworkwasdonespringof2017andthroughthecalendaryear.

4.4.bTheforestownerormanagerseeksandconsidersinputinmanagementplanningfrompeoplewhowouldlikelybeaffectedbymanagementactivities.

C PGSFprovided3yearsofoperationalworkplans:FY2016,2017,2018.Forexample,commentsregardingtheFY-18AnnualWorkPlanwerereceivedviae-mail,phonecallsandletters.FMEreportedthatfewcommentshavebeenreceivedfromstakeholderssincethelastauditonotherStateForests.MostcommentsarereceivedduringtheAnnualWorkPlan(AWP)reviewprocessfromtheCitizensAdvisoryCommittees.SCSreviewedcomplaintslogatGRSF.Noreportsordiscoveryofunresolvedcomplaintsduringthe2018audit.

4.4.cPeoplewhoaresubjecttodirectadverseeffectsofmanagementoperationsareapprisedofrelevantactivitiesinadvanceoftheactionsothattheymayexpressconcern.

C Referto4.4.b.

4.4.dForpublicforests,consultationshallincludethefollowingcomponents:1. Clearlydefinedandaccessiblemethodsforpublic

participationareprovidedinbothlongandshort-termplanningprocesses,includingharvestplansandoperationalplans;

2. Publicnotificationissufficienttoallowinterestedstakeholdersthechancetolearnofupcomingopportunitiesforpublicreviewand/orcommentontheproposedmanagement;

3. Anaccessibleandaffordableappealsprocessto

C Referto4.4.b.



planningdecisionsisavailable.Planningdecisionsincorporatetheresultsofpublicconsultation.Alldraftandfinalplanningdocuments,andtheirsupportingdata,aremadereadilyavailabletothepublic.4.5.Appropriatemechanismsshallbeemployedforresolvinggrievancesandforprovidingfaircompensationinthecaseoflossordamageaffectingthelegalorcustomaryrights,property,resources,orlivelihoodsoflocalpeoples.Measuresshallbetakentoavoidsuchlossordamage.

NE

Principle#5:Forestmanagementoperationsshallencouragetheefficientuseoftheforest’smultipleproductsandservicestoensureeconomicviabilityandawiderangeofenvironmentalandsocialbenefits.C5.1.Forestmanagementshouldstrivetowardeconomicviability,whiletakingintoaccountthefullenvironmental,social,andoperationalcostsofproduction,andensuringtheinvestmentsnecessarytomaintaintheecologicalproductivityoftheforest.

C

5.1.a.Theforestownerormanagerisfinanciallyabletoimplementcoremanagementactivities,includingallthoseenvironmental,socialandoperatingcosts,requiredtomeetthisStandard,andinvestmentandreinvestmentinforestmanagement.

C MDDNRreceivesmultiplefundingsources,includinggeneralfunds(taxes),timbersaleincome,andgrants.Theagencyundergoeslegislativeauditsinwhichitscostsandincomeforitsmanagementprogramsarereviewedindetail.MDDNRundergoesanannualbudgetingprocessthroughtheStateLegislature.MDDNRexpandedthescopeofitsFSC/SFIcertificatesin2011,thusdemonstratingreinvestmentintheamountofforestavailableforsustainableforestrymarketing/declarations.In2016,MDDNRhasreceivedfundingforitsroadprogram($900,000)in2016andhadseveralopenrecreationaltrailprograms.Duringthe2018audit,DNRreportsreceivingbudgetedamountof$300,000/yearfornecessarymaintenance.Inspectionsofnewroadandtrailconstructiondemonstratedimplementationandinspectionofplannedroadprojectsdemonstratedcommitmenttorequiredroadmaintenance.

5.1.b.Responsestoshort-termfinancialfactorsarelimitedtolevelsthatareconsistentwithfulfillmentofthisStandard.

C MDDNRmanagersstatedthebudgetcontinuestobestable.ORVtrailmaintenanceisreceivingsomeofitsfundingthroughthepermitsissued.OtherannualfixedcostshavebeenconsideredintheORVbudget.

C5.2.Forestmanagementandmarketingoperationsshouldencouragetheoptimaluseandlocalprocessingoftheforest’sdiversityofproducts.

C

5.2.a.Whereforestproductsareharvestedorsold,opportunitiesforforestproductsalesandservicesaregiventolocalharvesters,value-addedprocessingandmanufacturingfacilities,guidingservices,andotheroperationsthatareabletoofferservicesatcompetitiveratesandlevelsofservice.

C Timbersalesareopentoalllocalbidders.Forestmanagersattempttomaximizebothlocalprocessingandprocessingtohighestavailablevalue.MDDNRmaintainslistsofoperatorsforbothregionsandensuresthattheyareinformedofupcomingtimbersales(seeBidandOpeningWitnessforms;localloggingcontractorlists).Allproductsareprocessedin



localmills.StateForestsestablishminimallyacceptablebidssothatincaseofdownmarkets,productsarenotbeingharvestedatalosstothestate.

5.2.b.Theforestownerormanagertakesmeasurestooptimizetheuseofharvestedforestproductsandexploresproductdiversificationwhereappropriateandconsistentwithmanagementobjectives.

C IntheWesternRegion,thereareopportunitiesforhighgradelumber,chips,andfencerailandpulpproducts.IntheWesternRegion,harvestedproductsmayendupinlocalhardwoodlumber,pulporpalletmills.Somesalesgotofirewood.Localmillsmayconductadditionalmarketingofhighergradelogsforveneermarketsoncetheyhaveacquiredlegalpossession.Diameterlimitonconifers(whitepine)duetomarketconditions.

5.2.c.Onpubliclandswhereforestproductsareharvestedandsold,somesalesofforestproductsorcontractsarescaledorstructuredtoallowsmallbusinesstobidcompetitively.

C FirewoodcontractsaredoneintheWesternRegionsothatsmalloperationscantakeadvantageoflocalfirewoodmarkets.MDDNRalsohassmall-salecontractsthatallowsmallbusinesseshavetheopportunitytocompetitivelybidonprojects.AnexampleofthisintheWesternRegionisablocksale,inwhichpaymentsareallowedtobebrokendownintoamultiple-paymentschedule.Thisallowssmalleroperatorstocompetitivelybidandmakesmallerpaymentsasincomeisreceived.

C5.3.Forestmanagementshouldminimizewasteassociatedwithharvestingandon-siteprocessingoperationsandavoiddamagetootherforestresources.

C

5.3.a.Managementpracticesareemployedtominimizethelossand/orwasteofharvestedforestproducts.

C IntheEasternRegion,equipmentisselected(e.g.,processors,feller-bunchers)thatallowsforgreaterutilizationofthelowerportionofsawlogs.IntheWesternRegion,salvageharvestswereconductedinduetimeastocapturethevalueofseverelydamagedtreesasreportedin2017.Thispracticecontinuesin2017.Duringthe2018auditinterviewswithstaffandexaminationofsaleprospectusdocumentsconfirmpracticestodesignsalesforminimallossofvalueandmaximumutilization.Useofcontractorswhoactivelymerchandisealsohelpsmeetthisindicator.Interviewedforestersconfirmknowledgeoflocalmarketconditionsandunderstandingofnewmarketdevelopmentintheirareas.Inallcases,logsaretransportedpriortoanychancesforrottingorotherdamagetooccur.

5.3.b.Harvestpracticesaremanagedtoprotectresidualtreesandotherforestresources,including:

C RuttingGuidelinesForForestOperationsandForestStandRetentionForForestOperationsonMarylandStateForestsare



• soilcompaction,ruttinganderosionareminimized;

• residualtreesarenotsignificantlydamagedtotheextentthathealth,growth,orvaluesarenoticeablyaffected;

• damagetoNTFPsisminimizedduringmanagementactivities;and

• techniquesandequipmentthatminimizeimpactstovegetation,soil,andwaterareusedwheneverfeasible.

inplaceandenforced.Noruttingexceedingguidelineswereobservedduringthe2018audit.Interviewswithstaffconfirmedworkingknowledgeofrequirementsorabilitytoquicklylocateguidancedocumentsandroutineuseofthatknowledge.

C5.4.Forestmanagementshouldstrivetostrengthenanddiversifythelocaleconomy,avoidingdependenceonasingleforestproduct.

C

5.4.a.Theforestownerormanagerdemonstratesknowledgeoftheiroperation’seffectonthelocaleconomyasitrelatestoexistingandpotentialmarketsforawidevarietyoftimberandnon-timberforestproductsandservices.

C Thestateforestsofferadiverseopportunityforharvestingforestproductsincludingherbs(unlesslistedasaprotectedorprohibitedspecies),firewood,etc.Hunting,fishing,hiking,andotherrecreationalactivitiesontheStateForestsattractusergroupstolocalbusinesses,asreportedbyseveralMDDNRemployeesinterviewed.StateForestmanagersmaintainknowledgeoflocalmarketsforforestproducts.TheMarylandForestServiceisworkingtoimprovemarketsforforestproducts,particularlymarketsrelatedtobioenergy.

5.4.bTheforestownerormanagerstrivestodiversifytheeconomicuseoftheforestaccordingtoIndicator5.4.a.

C Inresponsetorecreationalusergroups,suchasmountainbikers(Eastern)orORVenthusiasts(Western),MDDNRhasexpandedorestablishedtrailnetworks.Examinedduringthe2018auditwasanewtrailestablishedinresponsetorecreationaldemands(seebelow).Theseusergroupsarelikelytouselocalbusinessesforlodging,food,fuel,andotherneeds.Duringthe2018audit,newtrailconstructionwasexamined.TheSt.JohnsRockORVtrailinSavageRiverSFopenedJuly2017.DNRinstalledcampsites,kids’trails,anda“rockcrawl”challengesiteforORVs.

5.5.Forestmanagementoperationsshallrecognize,maintain,and,whereappropriate,enhancethevalueofforestservicesandresourcessuchaswatershedsandfisheries.

NE

5.6.Therateofharvestofforestproductsshallnotexceedlevelswhichcanbepermanentlysustained.

C

5.6.aInFMUswhereproductsarebeingharvested,thelandownerormanagercalculatesthesustainedyieldharvestlevelforeachsustainedyieldplanningunit,andprovidesclearrationalefordeterminingthesizeandlayoutoftheplanningunit.Thesustained

C FMEcalculatestheAAHforeachStateForestinthescope.OfeachStateForest,onlyonehasreportedchangesinitscalculatedAAH:SRSFhasbeenconductinganextensiveforestinventoryprojectfinishedin2016.Initialinventoryworkwas



yieldharvestlevelcalculationisdocumentedintheManagementPlan.Thesustainedyieldharvestlevelcalculationforeachplanningunitisbasedon:• documentedgrowthratesforparticularsites,

and/oracreageofforesttypes,age-classesandspeciesdistributions;

• mortalityanddecayandotherfactorsthataffectnetgrowth;

• areasreservedfromharvestorsubjecttoharvestrestrictionstomeetothermanagementgoals;

• silviculturalpracticesthatwillbeemployedontheFMU;

• managementobjectivesanddesiredfutureconditions.

Thecalculationismadebyconsideringtheeffectsofrepeatedprescribedharvestsontheproduct/speciesanditsecosystem,aswellasplannedmanagementtreatmentsandprojectionsofsubsequentregrowthbeyondsinglerotationandmultiplere-entries.

completedontheharvestableareasofSRSFandtheanalysisofthisdatawillbethebasisforanychangesthatmaybenecessaryinadjustingtheannualallowableharvestrate.SeeSFMPChapter5,AppendixHandCFISummaryforeachStateForest.FMEusesRemsoft’sWoodstockprogramtoanalyzeforestinventorydatatoprojectsustainableharvestlevelsbasedonallowedsilviculturalsystems.Harvestratesarebasedonareacontrolratherthanvolumecontrolcurrently.AppendixHincludesadescriptionoftheassumptionsbehindthegrowthandyieldmodeling,includingtheelementsoftheindicator.Summariesofprojectedgrowthandallowableharvestsbasedongrowthrates,mortality,disease,etc.areincludedinAppendixH.In2017,FMErecentlycompletedupdatedmodellingfortheEasternRegionusingforestinventorydataandsiteindexesmodeledusingREMSOFT’ssoftware.Themodelconsidersgrowthrates,sitequality,currentage/sizeclass,speciescomposition,managementzone,operability,managementconstraintssuchasFIDS,ESAsandDFS,silviculturalpractices,andobjectives.

5.6.bAverageannualharvestlevels,overrollingperiodsofnomorethan10years,donotexceedthecalculatedsustainedyieldharvestlevel.

C NGSP=NewGermanyStateParkPGSF=Potomac-GarretStateForestGRSF=GreenRidgeStateForest2017:GRSF—TheallowableharvestwithintheGRSFGeneralForestAreaistomanage200acresperyearforendofrotationregenerationharvests.FMEregenerated200acressincethelastaudit.SRSF—SeeAppendix3intheSavageRiverStateForestFY2017AnnualWorkPlan.1.0MMBFplanned,941,285actual.PGSF—634MBFplanned,542MBFactualCF/PSF—ThinningacreagewasslightlybelowAAH,finalanduneven-agedharvestacreage(clearcuts,variableretention,seedtree,shelterwood)waswellbelowourAAH,asconfirmedinrecords(seeTimberSaleSummaryforallStateForests).2018:EachStateForestmaintainsanannualworkplansummarytocompareactualacresharvestedversusprojected(e.g.,http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/workplans.aspx).HarvestlevelsonanareacontrolbasisremainwellbelowwhatisallowedpertheWoodstockmodel.EachStateForestalsopreparesquarterlyharvestreports,whichwerereviewed



duringtheaudit.TimberHarvestSummaries(PDF)forCF-PSF,GRSF,PGSF,andSRSFwereinspectedandincludeddatabyFiscalYearforHarvestBd.FtVol.andHarvestedGrossValueofsale.

ReferalsotoSFQuarterlyReportALL-WMDFY18-3QMFIn itialSelections.xls

5.6.cRatesandmethodsoftimberharvestleadtoachievingdesiredconditions,andimproveormaintainhealthandqualityacrosstheFMU.Overstockedstandsandstandsthathavebeendepletedorrenderedtobebelowproductivepotentialduetonaturalevents,pastmanagement,orlackofmanagement,arereturnedtodesiredstockinglevelsandcompositionattheearliestpracticabletimeasjustifiedinmanagementobjectives.

C AWPplanningisdonebytheForestManagerandstaff.Notesonfuturemanagementactivities,suchassilviculturaltreatmentsorTSI,areincorporatedintotheforestGIS.

5.6.dForNTFPs,calculationofquantitativesustainedyieldharvestlevelsisrequiredonlyincaseswhereproductsareharvestedinsignificantcommercialoperationsorwheretraditionalorcustomaryuserightsmaybeimpactedbysuchharvests.Inothersituations,theforestownerormanagerutilizesavailableinformation,andnewinformationthatcanbereasonablygathered,tosetharvestinglevelsthatwillnotresultinadepletionofthenon-timbergrowingstocksorotheradverseeffectstotheforestecosystem.

NA ThereisnosignificantharvestofNTFPsontheFMU,asconfirmedinfieldvisitsandinterviewswithFMEstaff.HuntleasesareusedonlyontheChesapeakeStateForest.Themeatacquiredisnotcommerciallysoldandisnotcommerciallysignificant.

Principle#6:Forestmanagementshallconservebiologicaldiversityanditsassociatedvalues,waterresources,soils,anduniqueandfragileecosystemsandlandscapes,and,bysodoing,maintaintheecologicalfunctionsandtheintegrityoftheforest.6.1.Assessmentsofenvironmentalimpactsshallbecompleted--appropriatetothescale,intensityofforestmanagementandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources--andadequatelyintegratedintomanagementsystems.Assessmentsshallincludelandscapelevelconsiderationsaswellastheimpactsofon-siteprocessingfacilities.Environmentalimpactsshallbeassessedpriortocommencementofsite-disturbingoperations.

NE

6.2Safeguardsshallexistwhichprotectrare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesandtheirhabitats(e.g.,nestingandfeedingareas).Conservationzonesandprotectionareasshallbeestablished,appropriatetothescaleandintensityofforestmanagementandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources.Inappropriatehunting,fishing,

C



trapping,andcollectingshallbecontrolled.6.2.aIfthereisalikelypresenceofRTEspeciesasidentifiedinIndicator6.1.atheneitherafieldsurveytoverifythespecies'presenceorabsenceisconductedpriortosite-disturbingmanagementactivities,ormanagementoccurswiththeassumptionthatpotentialRTEspeciesarepresent.Surveysareconductedbybiologistswiththeappropriateexpertiseinthespeciesofinterestandwithappropriatequalificationstoconductthesurveys.Ifaspeciesisdeterminedtobepresent,itslocationshouldbereportedtothemanageroftheappropriatedatabase.

C WildlifeandHeritagebiologistsareimportantmembersoftheInterdisciplinaryTeam(IDT)reviewteamforeachofthestateforests.TheyprovidecriticalinformationimportanttotheultimatemanagementdecisionsmadebytheStateForestmanagersandtheirannualworkplans.Rare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesarerecordedintheHeritagedatabase.Heritagebiologistsareinvolvedinplanning,reviewandapprovalforeachmanagementprescriptionandsometimesworkingdirectlywiththemanagerinthefinalboundariesestablishedforaforestharvesttoensurethespeciesofconcernandtheirhabitatareproperlyprotected.RTEspeciesprotectionandmanagementareincludedintheForestManagementPlan,AWPForestHarvestProposal,andGIS.EachAWPsilviculturalproposalhasadefined“Description/ResourceImpactAssessment”whichincludesinformationfor:Location,ForestCommunityTypeandCondition,InterferingElements,HistoricConditions,Rare/Threatened/EndangeredSpeciesandHabitats,SpeciesofManagementConcern,WaterResources,RecreationResourcesandSoilResources.MonitoringeffortsfolloweachmanagementactivitythatcouldaffectRTEspeciesortheirhabitatsincludingmonitoringoftheeffectsofrestorationtreatments.

6.2.bWhenRTEspeciesarepresentorassumedtobepresent,modificationsinmanagementaremadeinordertomaintain,restoreorenhancetheextent,qualityandviabilityofthespeciesandtheirhabitats.Conservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareestablishedforRTEspecies,includingthoseS3speciesthatareconsideredrare,wheretheyarenecessarytomaintainorimprovetheshortandlong-termviabilityofthespecies.Conservationmeasuresarebasedonrelevantscience,guidelinesand/orconsultationwithrelevant,independentexpertsasnecessarytoachievetheconservationgoaloftheIndicator.

C FMEreportedthefollowingactivitiesnearRTEspecieshabitatzones:RefertoindividualAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)andthemanagementrecommendationsforeachstateforest;allconservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareshownoneachprojectmap.ForestharvestshaveoccurredinareasthatarepotentialhabitatsforRTEspecies.Allharvestsmustgothroughtheannualworkplanprocess.HeritageassiststheFMEduringplanningandimplementationtoensurethatthegoalsthattheyhavefortargetspeciesaremet.EachyearFMEincludesalocationreportingformandinformationfactsheetalongwithitsstandardhuntingharvestreportformstoeachofthelocalhuntclubsregardingDelmarvaFoxSquirrelontheMarylandshort.AnyformsthatFMEreceivesbackaresenttoUSFish&Wildlife,DNRWildlife&Heritage,andkeptonfileatFMEoffices.

6.2.cFormediumandlargepublicforests(e.g.stateforests),forestmanagementplansandoperationsaredesignedtomeetspecies’recoverygoals,aswellaslandscapelevelbiodiversityconservationgoals.

C TherequirementsofthissectionofthestandardareprimarilyaccomplishedthroughtheIDteamprocess,whichincludesreviewsofallplansbyheritage,wildlife,fisheries,andforestrystaff.HarvestoperationsandrestorationprojectsarereviewedbyHeritagemembersoftheIDteam.Restoration



projectsforspecificsitesarelistedwithineachAnnualWorkPlan.

6.2.dWithinthecapacityoftheforestownerormanager,hunting,fishing,trapping,collectingandotheractivitiesarecontrolledtoavoidtheriskofimpactstovulnerablespeciesandcommunities(SeeCriterion1.5).

C FMEstaffreportedthattherehavebeennocasesofharvestortakeofRTEspeciesorsignificantdamagetovulnerablespeciesandcommunitiesontheFMU.RefertoAWPsandthemanagementrecommendationsasallESAsareshownperprojectmaps.Seealsoinformationpresentedin6.2.bonhuntingofgamespecies(e.g.,deer)withinDelmarvaFoxSquirrelhabitat.

6.3.Ecologicalfunctionsandvaluesshallbemaintainedintact,enhanced,orrestored,including:a)Forestregenerationandsuccession.b)Genetic,species,andecosystemdiversity.c)Naturalcyclesthataffecttheproductivityoftheforestecosystem.

C

6.3.a.1Theforestownerormanagermaintains,enhances,and/orrestoresunder-representedsuccessionalstagesintheFMUthatwouldnaturallyoccuronthetypesofsitesfoundontheFMU.Whereoldgrowthofdifferentcommunitytypesthatwouldnaturallyoccurontheforestareunder-representedinthelandscaperelativetonaturalconditions,aportionoftheforestismanagedtoenhanceand/orrestoreoldgrowthcharacteristics.

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Earlysuccessionstagesaremostunder-

representedonthisstateforest,soregenerationharvestsdothemosttomaintainyoungforests.

• SRSF—Theseedling/saplingsuccessionstageofourhardwoodforestscouldbeconsideredunderrepresented.Assuch,managementworkplannedwithintheAnnualWorkPlansisgenerallyfocusedonregenerationofhardwoodforestsandenhancingthisstageofforestgrowth.Earlysuccessionalhabitatincludinggrassandshrubdominatedacreageisalsounderrepresentedacrosstheforestlandscape.CooperativeeffortswiththeWildlifeDivisionofDNRwillmaintainover150acresofrecentlandacquisitionsinthishabitat.Furtheracquisitionscomposedofthishabitattypeareinreviewandmaypotentiallybroadentheoccurrenceofthishabitatnicheontheforest.

• PGSF—SeePGSFFY-17AWPforVII.WatershedProtectionComp19LostlandRunHWAMitigation/RedSprucePlantingsmall(1acre.annual)NativeRedSpruceplanting.LongstandingHemlockProtectionProgramwithMDA;involvingIPAapproachtohemlockprotection/preservationinimportantstands.

• CF/PSF-PrescribedfirehasbeenusedtomaintainopenandearlysuccessionalareasontheFMU(i.e.Brookviewponds,PowellRdESA,Furnacelupinesite,etc.)

6.3.a.2Whenarareecologicalcommunityispresent,modificationsaremadeinboththemanagementplananditsimplementationinordertomaintain,restoreorenhancetheviabilityofthecommunity.Basedonthevulnerabilityoftheexistingcommunity,conservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareestablishedwherewarranted.

C FMEdemonstratesexceptionaleffortstoidentifyrareecologicalcommunitiesforprotection,managementand/orrestoration.Duringharvestsvisitedin2018,ESAsandotherprotectedareaswerenotedonmapswhenadjacentorwithintimbersaleboundaries.Criticalhabitatshavebeenmappedforstatelistedor



uncommonspecies,shalebarrenscommunities,oldgrowthandpotentialoldgrowth,vernalpoolsanduniqueopenhabitatsinstateforestmanagementplans.Inmostcases,theseareasarenotenteredwithequipment.Perinterviewswithstaff,forearlysuccessionalhabitatthatisnotwell-representedonthelandscape,FMEisattemptingtocoordinatemoreopportunitiestocombinetimbersaleandprescribedfirelayouttoreducecosts.

6.3.a.3Whentheyarepresent,managementmaintainsthearea,structure,composition,andprocessesofallType1andType2oldgrowth.Type1and2oldgrowtharealsoprotectedandbufferedasnecessarywithconservationzones,unlessanalternativeplanisdevelopedthatprovidesgreateroverallprotectionofoldgrowthvalues.Type1OldGrowthisprotectedfromharvestingandroadconstruction.Type1oldgrowthisalsoprotectedfromothertimbermanagementactivities,exceptasneededtomaintaintheecologicalvaluesassociatedwiththestand,includingoldgrowthattributes(e.g.,removeexoticspecies,conductcontrolledburning,andthinningfrombelowindryforesttypeswhenandwhererestorationisappropriate).Type2OldGrowthisprotectedfromharvestingtotheextentnecessarytomaintainthearea,structures,andfunctionsofthestand.TimberharvestinType2oldgrowthmustmaintainoldgrowthstructures,functions,andcomponentsincludingindividualtreesthatfunctionasrefugia(seeIndicator6.3.g).Onpubliclands,oldgrowthisprotectedfromharvesting,aswellasfromothertimbermanagementactivities,exceptifneededtomaintainthevaluesassociatedwiththestand(e.g.,removeexoticspecies,conductcontrolledburning,andthinningfrombelowinforesttypeswhenandwhererestorationisappropriate).OnAmericanIndianlands,timberharvestmaybepermittedinType1andType2oldgrowthinrecognitionoftheirsovereigntyanduniqueownership.Timberharvestispermittedinsituationswhere:1. Oldgrowthforestscompriseasignificantportion

ofthetribalownership.

C FMEstaffreportedthattherehavebeennoharvestsorotheractivitiesthathavesignificantlyaffectedoldgrowthstands.



2. Ahistoryofforeststewardshipbythetribeexists.3. HighConservationValueForestattributesare

maintained.4. Old-growthstructuresaremaintained.5. Conservationzonesrepresentativeofoldgrowth

standsareestablished.6. Landscapelevelconsiderationsareaddressed.7. Rarespeciesareprotected.6.3.bTotheextentfeasiblewithinthesizeoftheownership,particularlyonlargerownerships(generallytensofthousandsormoreacres),managementmaintains,enhances,orrestoreshabitatconditionssuitableforwell-distributedpopulationsofanimalspeciesthatarecharacteristicofforestecosystemswithinthelandscape.

C TheAWPsforeachstateforestscontainsasoneitsprimaryobjectivestowardWildlifeHabitat:managementactivitieswithapurposetomaintainandenhancetheecologicalneedsofthediversityofwildlifespeciesandhabitattypes.FMEstaffreportedthefollowing:GRSF—TheFY2018AWPSpecialWildlifeHabitatProjectsinclude:ContinueImplementationoftheKirkOrchard,Anthony’sRidge,andKasecampBottoms,andTownCreekSpecialWildlifeHabitatPlans,ContinueRotationalmowingandbrushmanagementinapprovedgrasslandsandotherwildlifeopeningsandCreateandmanagea2acrepollinatormeadowintheTownCreekSpecialWildlifeHabitatAreatoserveasademonstrationareaforpollinatormanagement.• SRSF—AWPFY2018VII.MargraffPlantationSunflower

Fieldtoprovideenhanceddovefeedinggrounds.Also,about16acresofwildlifespecificprojecthavebeenimplemented.Allplannedandcompletedtimberharvestsincludewildlifehabitatimprovementelementsbycreatinganincreaseinearlysuccessionhabitatcriticaltoavarietyofspeciesinneedofconservationincludinggolden-wingedwarblers,Americanwoodcock,etc.

• PGSF—SeePGSFFY18-AWPIX.WildlifeManagement.Proposals:

• Comp41-8isaone-acrewildlifeopeningmanagedtoprovidefeeding,broodingforagingareas.

• CF/PSF—PlanningandexecutionoftheearlysuccessionalhabitatprojectontheFostertractcontinues.

6.3.cManagementmaintains,enhancesand/orrestorestheplantandwildlifehabitatofRiparianManagementZones(RMZs)toprovide:a) habitatforaquaticspeciesthatbreedin

surroundinguplands;b) habitatforpredominantlyterrestrialspeciesthat

breedinadjacentaquatichabitats;c) habitatforspeciesthatuseriparianareasfor

feeding,cover,andtravel;d) habitatforplantspeciesassociatedwithriparian

areas;and,e) streamshadingandinputsofwoodandleaf

litterintotheadjacentaquaticecosystem.

C Watershedprotection/improvementisaddressedthroughouteachofthestateforestsAWPsthroughforestharvestplanningandreviewtoimplementationandincludingspecificprojectstoimproveandprotectwaterresources.FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Continuetoestablishandenhanceriparian

buffersalongTownCreekwithvolunteertreeplantingprojects.Non-invasivetreeandshrubspecieswillbeplantedtoestablishforestbuffersandenhancewildlifehabitat.

• SRSF—AnnualWorkPlanmapsreferencenocutbuffersonbluelinestreamsandwetlandsaswellasMaryland’s



BestManagementPracticesthatareimplementedonallsilviculturalactivitiestoensurethepreservationofwaterqualityinadjacentwaterways.

• PGSF—Comp.19–LostlandRunHWAMitigation/RedSprucePlantingProposal(ExtensionFY-12Proposal)CF/PSF—WorkcontinuesontheIndiantown/BrookviewPondswatershedimprovementprojectfromtheFY2013AWP.

Stand-scaleIndicators6.3.dManagementpracticesmaintainorenhanceplantspeciescomposition,distributionandfrequencyofoccurrencesimilartothosethatwouldnaturallyoccuronthesite.

C Asconfirmedinfieldsitevisits,allharvestsintheWesternRegionincluderetentionofoakandlargerdiameterlegacypinetrees.Someharvestsincludepineseedtreesofspeciesthatoccurnaturallyonthesite,especiallyinthecaseofpond,pitch,andshort-leafpines.Otherhardwoods,suchasmaples,poplars,andgums,aremostlyretainedinno-harvestzonesandSMZs,aswellaswithinproductionareasduringthinnings.BaldcypresswasobservedinSMZs,whicharetypicalsitesforthisspecies.Recentlandscapeanalyseshaveprovidedsupportforcontinuedeffortstoretainingconifersfortreeandwildlifehabitatdiversity.

6.3.eWhenplantingisrequired,alocalsourceofknownprovenanceisusedwhenavailableandwhenthelocalsourceisequivalentintermsofquality,priceandproductivity.Theuseofnon-localsourcesshallbejustified,suchasinsituationswhereothermanagementobjectives(e.g.diseaseresistanceoradaptingtoclimatechange)arebestservedbynon-localsources.Nativespeciessuitedtothesitearenormallyselectedforregeneration.

C SeedmixesaredeterminedbyMDDepartmentofWildlifeandaddressedintimberharvestcontracts(AttachmentE;mediumredclover,ladinoclover,orchardgrass,perennialryegrass,andtimothygrass).MDDNRgenerallydoesnotplantexceptsmallareasforredspruce.One4-acreplantingwasdiscussedduringthe2018audit.

6.3.fManagementmaintains,enhances,orrestoreshabitatcomponentsandassociatedstandstructures,inabundanceanddistributionthatcouldbeexpectedfromnaturallyoccurringprocesses.Thesecomponentsinclude:a) largelivetrees,livetreeswithdecayordeclining

health,snags,andwell-distributedcoarsedownanddeadwoodymaterial.Legacytreeswherepresentarenotharvested;and

b) verticalandhorizontalcomplexity.Treesselectedforretentionaregenerallyrepresentativeofthedominantspeciesfoundonthesite.

C Asconfirmedinfieldsitevisits,allharvestsintheWesternRegionincluderetentionofoakandlargerdiameterlegacypinetrees.Someharvestsincludepineseedtreesofspeciesthatoccurnaturalonthesite,especiallyinthecaseofpond,pitch,andshort-leafpines.Otherhardwoods,suchasmaplesandgums,aremostlyretainedinno-harvestzonesandSMZs.Snagswereobservedonseveralharvestswithharvestareasandinno-harvestzones.Woodymaterialisretainedforuseonskidtrailstocontrolerosionandcompactionanddistributedoverharvestsites.Alltreespeciesselectedforretentionareofdominantspeciesofthesite.

6.3.g.1IntheSoutheast,Appalachia,Ozark-Ouachita,MississippiAlluvialValley,andPacificCoastRegions,wheneven-agedsystemsareemployed,andduringsalvageharvests,livetreesandothernativevegetationareretainedwithintheharvestunitasdescribedinAppendixCfortheapplicableregion.

C 2018:FMEreportedthefollowingeven-agedharvests:• GRSF-Alleven-agedregenerationharvestscarriedoutthis

yearwerecompletedunderprinciplesofvariableretention.154acreshavebeenharvestedon258ofmanagedland.



IntheLakeStatesNortheast,RockyMountainandSouthwestRegions,wheneven-agedsilviculturalsystemsareemployed,andduringsalvageharvests,livetreesandothernativevegetationareretainedwithintheharvestunitinaproportionandconfigurationthatisconsistentwiththecharacteristicnaturaldisturbanceregimeunlessretentionatalowerlevelisnecessaryforthepurposesofrestorationorrehabilitation.SeeAppendixCforadditionalregionalrequirementsandguidance.

• SRSF—Approximately103acresofevenagedharvestswerecompletedon153managementunitacres.43acresofmaturehardwoodwereregeneratedontwostandsof21,and22acres.Theremainingevenagedmanagementoccurredon60acresofthe1stfirstcutofatwo-ageshelterwoodsystem.Retentionobjectivesweremetforeachharvestwithmorethan5%oftheoriginalstandbeingretained.BuffersimplementedalongStreamsidemanagementzones,utilities,andHCVFensuredthatretentiontargetswouldbemetineachsilviculturaloperation.RefertotheFY-18AnnualWorkPlanaswellasthefinaltimberharvestcontractsforbuffer/exclusiondelineations.

• PGSF—Approximately226acresofevenagedharvestswerecompletedon327managementunitacres.38acresofmaturehardwoodwereregeneratedontwostandsof23,and15acres.Theremainingevenagedmanagementoccurredon188acresofthe1stfirstcutofatwo-ageshelterwoodsystem.

• CF/PSF—38.2acreswereregeneratedwithanaverageof19acres.

6.3.g.2Underverylimitedsituations,thelandownerormanagerhastheoptiontodevelopaqualifiedplantoallowminordeparturefromtheopeningsizelimitsdescribedinIndicator6.3.g.1.Aqualifiedplan:1.Isdevelopedbyqualifiedexpertsinecological

and/orrelatedfields(wildlifebiology,hydrology,landscapeecology,forestry/silviculture).

2.Isbasedonthetotalityofthebestavailableinformationincludingpeer-reviewedscienceregardingnaturaldisturbanceregimesfortheFMU.

3.Isspatiallyandtemporallyexplicitandincludesmapsofproposedopeningsorareas.

4.Demonstratesthatthevariationswillresultinequalorgreaterbenefittowildlife,waterquality,andothervaluescomparedtothenormalopeningsizelimits,includingforsensitiveandrarespecies.

5.Isreviewedbyindependentexpertsinwildlifebiology,hydrology,andlandscapeecology,toconfirmtheprecedingfindings.

NA Noexemptionstoeven-agedmanagementrestrictionsassociatedwithindicator6.3.g.1anditsapplicableregionalsub-indicatorsweredetectedduringfieldvisitsorreviewofmanagementplanningdocumentation.

6.3.hTheforestownerormanagerassessestheriskof,prioritizes,and,aswarranted,developsandimplementsastrategytopreventorcontrolinvasivespecies,including:1. amethodtodeterminetheextentofinvasive

C FMEreportedthefollowing:The2018PesticideUseReportnotedseveralprojectsthatweredirectedatcontrollinginvasiveplantspeciesincludingcallerypear,Japaneseknotweed,ailanthusandmile-a-minute.• GRSF—Ailanthuswastreatedinstandspriortoharvestin



speciesandthedegreeofthreattonativespeciesandecosystems;

2. implementationofmanagementpracticesthatminimizetheriskofinvasiveestablishment,growth,andspread;

3. eradicationorcontrolofestablishedinvasivepopulationswhenfeasible:and,

4. monitoringofcontrolmeasuresandmanagementpracticestoassesstheireffectivenessinpreventingorcontrollinginvasivespecies.

standsthatitwasknowntoexist,andailanthuswastreatedinspecialwildlifehabitatareas.Furthermore,mowingoccurredinoldfieldareaswhereinvasiveshrubsexisttopreventestablishmentoftheseshrubssuchasbushhoneysuckle,autumnoliveandmulti-florarose.

• SRSF—treatedandismonitoringseveralplantcoloniesorsitesincluding:JapaneseKnotweedsites,TreeofHeavensites,Mile-A-MinutesitesandYellowArchangelsites.

• PGSF—SeePGSFFY18-AWPVIIIEcosystemRestoration/ProtectionProjects;notecontrolormonitoringdoneon19NNISspottreatments,(ref.herbicideapplicationrecord.)

• CF/PSF—Mappingupdatesofknownandnewinvasivelocations,herbicideapplicationsonhighrecreationuseareastoslowthespreadofinvasivevegetation.

6.3.iInapplicablesituations,theforestownerormanageridentifiesandappliessite-specificfuelsmanagementpractices,basedon:(1)naturalfireregimes,(2)riskofwildfire,(3)potentialeconomiclosses,(4)publicsafety,and(5)applicablelawsandregulations.

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Noprescribedfireinpastyear.Onewildfire

burnedapproximately2acresintheKirkOrchardarea.Nonaturalfiresoccurred.

• SRSF—Onewildfire(arson)totaling8.5acresinCompartment58.

• PGSF—None• CF/PSF—Multipleprescribedburnshavebeencompleted

onvarioussites.ThemajoritieswereinornearESAZone1areas.

6.4.Representativesamplesofexistingecosystemswithinthelandscapeshallbeprotectedintheirnaturalstateandrecordedonmaps,appropriatetothescaleandintensityofoperationsandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources.

6.4.a.TheforestownerormanagerdocumentstheecosystemsthatwouldnaturallyexistontheFMU,andassessestheadequacyoftheirrepresentationandprotectioninthelandscape(seeCriterion7.1).Theassessmentformediumandlargeforestsincludesomeorallofthefollowing:a)GAPanalyses;b)collaborationwithstatenaturalheritageprogramsandotherpublicagencies;c)regional,landscape,andwatershedplanningefforts;d)collaborationwithuniversitiesand/orlocalconservationgroups.ForanareathatisnotlocatedontheFMUtoqualifyasaRepresentativeSampleArea(RSA),itshouldbeunderpermanentprotectioninitsnaturalstate.

C TheRepresentativeSampleArea(RSA)exerciseiscompleteasconfirmedbyGISreview,interviewsandmanagementplanreviewandreviewof“MethodologyforLocatingRepresentativeSampleAreas(RSA)forNaturallyOccurringEcosystemswithintheRegionofMarylandStateForests”.ThismethodologywasdevelopedincooperationwithMDDNRNaturalHeritageProgram.ThisGAPanalysisisbasedonthespatialanalysisofthesurrounding.Ecosystemdataiscompleteasconfirmedthroughinterviewsanddatareview.MDDNRmetwithNaturalHeritageandidentifiedthepresence/absence/adequacyoftypesinsurroundinglandscapeaswellaswithinStateForests.

6.4.b.Whereexistingareaswithinthelandscape,butexternaltotheFMU,arenotofadequateprotection,size,andconfigurationtoserveasrepresentative

C MDDNRestablishedRSAsasindicatedbygapanalysisdescribeabove.Forexample,SavageRiverSFMP-Section5.14.3;PGSFSFMPSection5.14.3.



samplesofexistingecosystems,forestownersormanagers,whosepropertiesareconducivetotheestablishmentofsuchareas,designateecologicallyviableRSAstoservethesepurposes.LargeFMUsaregenerallyexpectedtoestablishRSAsofpurpose2and3withintheFMU.

RSAshavebeenestablishedtoprotectpurpose2(RTEandrarecommunities)andpurpose3(otherhabitatsandspeciesofmanagementconcern)andaremostoftenalsodescribedbytheFME’sEcologicallySignificantAreas(ESAs).Seealsosection6.1.a.(1)and6.1.a.(2).

6.4.c.ManagementactivitieswithinRSAsarelimitedtolowimpactactivitiescompatiblewiththeprotectedRSAobjectives,exceptunderthefollowingcircumstances:

a)harvestingactivitiesonlywheretheyarenecessarytorestoreorcreateconditionstomeettheobjectivesoftheprotectedRSA,ortomitigateconditionsthatinterferewithachievingtheRSAobjectives;or

b)road-buildingonlywhereitisdocumentedthatitwillcontributetominimizingtheoverallenvironmentalimpactswithintheFMUandwillnotjeopardizethepurposeforwhichtheRSAwasdesignated.

C RSAsareprotectedfromroutinetimbermanagementthusservingtheirintendedpurposeasacontrolasconfirmedthroughinterviews,observationsandmanagementplanreviewincludingforexampleSavageRiverSFMP-Section5.14.3.Exceptionsareallowedandoccurinthefollowingexamples:

a) Non-nativeinvasiveplantcontrolhasbeenconductedinRSAsforthepurposeofremovinginterferingplantcoverandrestoringconditions.

b) Exceptionshavenotoccurredforroadbuilding.

6.4.d.TheRSAassessment(Indicator6.4.a)shallbeperiodicallyreviewedandifnecessaryupdated(ataminimumevery10years)inordertodetermineiftheneedforRSAshaschanged;thedesignationofRSAs(Indicator6.4.b)isrevisedaccordingly.

C ThisindicatorwillbeassessedbyMDDNRin2022(i.e.10yearsafterthecompletionoftheoriginal2012RSAassessment.

6.4.e.Managersoflarge,contiguouspublicforestsestablishandmaintainanetworkofrepresentativeprotectedareassufficientinsizetomaintainspeciesdependentoninteriorcorehabitats.

C Asconfirmedthroughmanagementplanreview,thisisaccomplishedthroughtheestablishmentofmanagementzonesthatincludethefollowing:ESA’s,Wildlands,HCVFs,FIDShabitat,OldGrowthManagementComplex.

6.5Writtenguidelinesshallbepreparedandimplementedtocontrolerosion;minimizeforestdamageduringharvesting,roadconstruction,andallothermechanicaldisturbances;andtoprotectwaterresources.

NE

6.6.Managementsystemsshallpromotethedevelopmentandadoptionofenvironmentallyfriendlynon-chemicalmethodsofpestmanagementandstrivetoavoidtheuseofchemicalpesticides.WorldHealthOrganizationType1Aand1Bandchlorinatedhydrocarbonpesticides;pesticidesthatarepersistent,toxicorwhosederivativesremainbiologicallyactiveandaccumulateinthefoodchainbeyondtheirintendeduse;aswellasanypesticidesbannedbyinternationalagreement,shallbeprohibited.Ifchemicalsareused,properequipmentandtrainingshallbeprovidedtominimizehealth

NE



andenvironmentalrisks.6.7.Chemicals,containers,liquidandsolidnon-organicwastesincludingfuelandoilshallbedisposedofinanenvironmentallyappropriatemanneratoff-sitelocations.

NE

6.8.Useofbiologicalcontrolagentsshallbedocumented,minimized,monitored,andstrictlycontrolledinaccordancewithnationallawsandinternationallyacceptedscientificprotocols.Useofgeneticallymodifiedorganismsshallbeprohibited.

NE

6.9.Theuseofexoticspeciesshallbecarefullycontrolledandactivelymonitoredtoavoidadverseecologicalimpacts.

NA

6.9.aTheuseofexoticspeciesiscontingentontheavailabilityofcrediblescientificdataindicatingthatanysuchspeciesisnon-invasiveanditsapplicationdoesnotposearisktonativebiodiversity.

NA FMEreportedthatnoexoticspecieshavebeenusedforcommercialormanagementpurposessincethelastaudit,whichtheauditorconfirmedinfieldobservation.NoneareusedintheWesternRegion.

6.9.bIfexoticspeciesareused,theirprovenanceandthelocationoftheirusearedocumented,andtheirecologicaleffectsareactivelymonitored.

NA See6.9.a.

6.9.cTheforestownerormanagershalltaketimelyactiontocurtailorsignificantlyreduceanyadverseimpactsresultingfromtheiruseofexoticspecies

NA See6.9.a.

6.10.Forestconversiontoplantationsornon-forestlandusesshallnotoccur,exceptincircumstanceswhereconversion:a)Entailsaverylimitedportionoftheforestmanagementunit;andb)DoesnotoccuronHighConservationValueForestareas;andc)Willenableclear,substantial,additional,secure,long-termconservationbenefitsacrosstheforestmanagementunit.

NE

Principle#7:Amanagementplan--appropriatetothescaleandintensityoftheoperations--shallbewritten,implemented,andkeptuptodate.Thelong-termobjectivesofmanagement,andthemeansofachievingthem,shallbeclearlystated.7.1.Themanagementplanandsupportingdocumentsshallprovide:a. Managementobjectives.b)descriptionofthe

forestresourcestobemanaged,environmentallimitations,landuseandownershipstatus,socio-economicconditions,andaprofileofadjacentlands.

b. Descriptionofsilviculturaland/orothermanagementsystem,basedontheecologyoftheforestinquestionandinformationgatheredthroughresourceinventories.d)Rationaleforrateofannualharvestandspeciesselection.e)

NE



Provisionsformonitoringofforestgrowthanddynamics.f)Environmentalsafeguardsbasedonenvironmentalassessments.g)Plansfortheidentificationandprotectionofrare,threatenedandendangeredspecies.

b) h)Mapsdescribingtheforestresourcebaseincludingprotectedareas,plannedmanagementactivitiesandlandownership.i)Descriptionandjustificationofharvestingtechniquesandequipmenttobeused.

7.1.aThemanagementplanidentifiestheownershipandlegalstatusoftheFMUanditsresources,includingrightsheldbytheownerandrightsheldbyothers.

NE

7.1.bThemanagementplandescribesthehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).

C RefertoOBS2017.1.

7.1.cThemanagementplandescribes:a)currentconditionsofthetimberandnon-timberforestresourcesbeingmanaged;b)desiredfutureconditions;c)historicalecologicalconditions;andd)applicablemanagementobjectivesandactivitiestomovetheFMUtowarddesiredfutureconditions.

C RefertoOBS2017.1.

7.1.dThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofthelandscapewithinwhichtheFMUislocatedanddescribeshowlandscape-scalehabitatelementsdescribedinCriterion6.3willbeaddressed.

C RefertoOBS2017.1.

7.1.eThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlinesactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesand

naturalcommunities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityand

wildlifehabitats(seeCriterion6.3);• waterresources(seeCriterion6.5);• soilresources(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.

NC RefertoCAR2017.2.

7.1.fIfinvasivespeciesarepresent,themanagementplandescribesinvasivespeciesconditions,applicablemanagementobjectives,andhowtheywillbecontrolled(seeIndicator6.3.j).

NE

7.1.gThemanagementplandescribesinsectsanddiseases,currentoranticipatedoutbreaksonforest

NE



conditionsandmanagementgoals,andhowinsectsanddiseaseswillbemanaged(seeCriteria6.6and6.8).7.1.hIfchemicalsareused,theplandescribeswhatisbeingused,applications,andhowthemanagementsystemconformswithCriterion6.6.

NE

7.1.iIfbiologicalcontrolsareused,themanagementplandescribeswhatisbeingused,applications,andhowthemanagementsystemconformswithCriterion6.8.

NE

7.1.jThemanagementplanincorporatestheresultsoftheevaluationofsocialimpacts,including:• traditionalculturalresourcesandrightsofuse

(seeCriterion2.1);• potentialconflictswithcustomaryusesanduse

rights(seeCriteria2.2,2.3,3.2);• managementofceremonial,archeological,and

historicsites(seeCriteria3.3and4.5);• managementofaestheticvalues(seeIndicator

4.4.a);• publicaccesstoanduseoftheforest,andother

recreationissues;• localandregionalsocioeconomicconditionsand

economicopportunities,includingcreationand/ormaintenanceofqualityjobs(seeIndicators4.1.band4.4.a),localpurchasingopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.e),andparticipationinlocaldevelopmentopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.g).

NE

7.1.kThemanagementplandescribesthegeneralpurpose,conditionandmaintenanceneedsofthetransportationnetwork(seeIndicator6.5.e).

NE

7.1.lThemanagementplandescribesthesilviculturalandothermanagementsystemsusedandhowtheywillsustain,overthelongterm,forestecosystemspresentontheFMU.

NE

7.1.mThemanagementplandescribeshowspeciesselectionandharvestratecalculationsweredevelopedtomeettherequirementsofCriterion5.6.

NE

7.1.nThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofmonitoringproceduresnecessarytoaddresstherequirementsofCriterion8.2.

NE

7.1.oThemanagementplanincludesmapsdescribingtheresourcebase,thecharacteristicsofgeneralmanagementzones,specialmanagementareas,andprotectedareasatalevelofdetailtoachievemanagementobjectivesandprotectsensitivesites.

NE



7.1.pThemanagementplandescribesandjustifiesthetypesandsizesofharvestingmachineryandtechniquesemployedontheFMUtominimizeorlimitimpactstotheresource.

NE

7.1.qPlansforharvestingandothersignificantsite-disturbingmanagementactivitiesrequiredtocarryoutthemanagementplanarepreparedpriortoimplementation.Plansclearlydescribetheactivity,therelationshiptoobjectives,outcomes,anynecessaryenvironmentalsafeguards,healthandsafetymeasures,andincludemapsofadequatedetail.

NE

7.1.rThemanagementplandescribesthestakeholderconsultationprocess.

NE

7.2Themanagementplanshallbeperiodicallyrevisedtoincorporatetheresultsofmonitoringornewscientificandtechnicalinformation,aswellastorespondtochangingenvironmental,socialandeconomiccircumstances.

NE

7.3Forestworkersshallreceiveadequatetrainingandsupervisiontoensureproperimplementationofthemanagementplans.

NE

7.4Whilerespectingtheconfidentialityofinformation,forestmanagersshallmakepubliclyavailableasummaryoftheprimaryelementsofthemanagementplan,includingthoselistedinCriterion7.1.

NE

Principle#8:Monitoringshallbeconducted--appropriatetothescaleandintensityofforestmanagement--toassesstheconditionoftheforest,yieldsofforestproducts,chainofcustody,managementactivitiesandtheirsocialandenvironmentalimpacts.8.1Thefrequencyandintensityofmonitoringshouldbedeterminedbythescaleandintensityofforestmanagementoperations,aswellas,therelativecomplexityandfragilityoftheaffectedenvironment.Monitoringproceduresshouldbeconsistentandreplicableovertimetoallowcomparisonofresultsandassessmentofchange.

NE

8.2.Forestmanagementshouldincludetheresearchanddatacollectionneededtomonitor,ataminimum,thefollowingindicators:a)yieldofallforestproductsharvested,b)growthrates,regeneration,andconditionoftheforest,c)compositionandobservedchangesinthefloraandfauna,d)environmentalandsocialimpactsofharvestingandotheroperations,ande)cost,productivity,andefficiencyofforestmanagement.

C

8.2.a.1Forallcommerciallyharvestedproducts,an C FMEreportedthefollowing:



inventorysystemismaintained.Theinventorysystemincludesataminimum:a)species,b)volumes,c)stocking,d)regeneration,ande)standandforestcompositionandstructure;andf)timberquality.

• GRSF—Allareasthatreceivedafinalharvestinthelast2-5yearswereinventoriedinthelastyeartomonitorandevaluateregeneration.Furthermore,allstandsproposedforregenerationharvestswereinventoriedtoevaluatepotentialforregenerationandguideprescriptionforregenerationharvestmethods.

• SRSF—Inventoryhasbeencompletedwithintheharvestableareasofthestateforest.RegenerationdatawasgatheredforallFY-18proposals.

• PGSF—Forest–wideinventorycompleted2yearsago.Regenerationmonitoringplanscallfor5yr.(growingseasons)resurveyafterharvestcompletion.1stharvestssincecompletedsinceinventoried,arecomingduethissummer.

• CF/PSF—TheCFIandforestinventoryprocedurewerecompletedin2016.Yieldtableswerecreatedfromtheinventorydata,andourforestmodelwasupdated.Regenerationsurveyshavebeenconductedonrecentharvestsites.

8.2.a.2Significant,unanticipatedremovalorlossorincreasedvulnerabilityofforestresourcesismonitoredandrecorded.Recordedinformationshallincludedateandlocationofoccurrence,descriptionofdisturbance,extentandseverityofloss,andmaybebothquantitativeandqualitative.

C FMEreportednorecenttimbertheftduringinterviewswithforestmanagers.Nonewmajorstormordiseaseeventswerereportedin2017.

8.2.bTheforestownerormanagermaintainsrecordsofharvestedtimberandNTFPs(volumeandproductand/orgrade).RecordsmustadequatelyensurethattherequirementsunderCriterion5.6aremet.

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—411,591BFsawtimber,914cordspulpwood• SRSF—941,285boardfeetand1,105cordsofpulpwood• PGSF—ByendofFY-17(June30),willhave520,937Bd.

Ft.undercontract• CF/PSF—42,293tons;646MBFMDDNRprovidesanannualTimberSaleSummary.Harvestrecordsforlump-sum,stumpage,andgatewoodsaleswereprovided.

8.2.cTheforestownerormanagerperiodicallyobtainsdataneededtomonitorpresenceontheFMUof:1) Rare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesand/or

theirhabitats;2) Commonandrareplantcommunitiesand/or

habitat;3) Location,presenceandabundanceofinvasive

species;4) Conditionofprotectedareas,set-asidesand

bufferzones;5) HighConservationValueForests(seeCriterion

C 2018:FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Woodcocksinginggroundsurvey,woodturtleand

herpetologysurveys,wildturkeypoultryproduction,beardenreproductionsurveys,bearbaitsurveys,nightjarsurvey,golden-wingedwarblersurvey,cameratrappingsurveysforspottedskunkandFrostburgUniversitystudyofblackcohosh.

• SRSF—Variousresearchprojectshavebeenongoingthroughouttheforestfocusingonaplethoraofplantandanimalcommunitiesincludingnorthernlong-earedbats,Americanchestnut,easternred-backedsalamanders,



9.4). millipedes,golden-wingedwarblers,AlleghenywoodratsandMonardadidyma.Projectstocontrolthenon-nativeinvasivespeciesgarlicmustardandJapanesespireawereconductedintheBearPenWildlands.WildlifeandHeritageDivisionofDNRhaveongoingmonitoringforblackbears,goldeneagles,stripedskunksandAppalachiancottontails,PennsylvaniaNaturalHeritageProgramattheWesternPennsylvaniaConservancyobservanceoflichensandFrostburgStateUniversitystudyofblackcohosh.

• PGSF—DNRWildlifeandHeritageProgram’ssurveysforbothNewEnglandCottontailandSpottedSkunks,aswellasannualGoshawkNestingmonitoring,FrostburgStateUniversityinvestigatingvariousaspectsofdragonflyecologyinhighelevationwetlandsandFrostburgStateUniversitystudyofblackcohosh.

• CF/PSF—DelmarvaFoxSquirrelmonitoringbytheUSFWS,batmonitoringbySalisburyUniversity&plantcommunitymonitoringbyourWildlife&HeritageUnit.

8.2.d.1Monitoringisconductedtoensurethatsitespecificplansandoperationsareproperlyimplemented,environmentalimpactsofsitedisturbingoperationsareminimized,andthatharvestprescriptionsandguidelinesareeffective.

C TimberSaleInspectionformsaremaintainedforharvestmonitoringvisitsandfinalizedattheendofharvest.ParkerForestryServicesdemonstratedinspectionformsforthesitesvisitedin2017.ParkerForestryServicesalsodemonstratedchemicalapplicationmapsthatshowapplicationtrailsandthatprotectedareaswereavoided.

8.2.d.2Amonitoringprogramisinplacetoassesstheconditionandenvironmentalimpactsoftheforest-roadsystem.

C AForestRoadsManagementForForestOperationsonMarylandStateForestshasbeenimplemented.ThispolicycreatesasystematicinventoryoftheStateForestroadsincludingORVtrails.ThisplandocumentseachroadsegmentanddrainagefeatureinaGIS-basedidentificationsystemandallowsthedevelopmentofapriorityplanforroadmaintenanceandfeaturereplacementthatisincorporatedintoannualworkplansforeachstateforest.

8.2.d.3Thelandownerormanagermonitorsrelevantsocio-economicissues(seeIndicator4.4.a),includingthesocialimpactsofharvesting,participationinlocaleconomicopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.g),thecreationand/ormaintenanceofqualityjobopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.b),andlocalpurchasingopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.e).

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—NONE• SRSF—Five(5)trailcountershavebeeninstalled

throughouttheforesttomonitorvisitornumbersandthedataisdownloadedatregularintervals.

• PGSF—WesternStateForestshaveengagedincooperativeprojectwithFrostburgStateUniversitytocarryoutaRecreation/TourismEconomicImpactStudy,withsurveyworkslatedtobeginnowinApril2017.

• CF/PSF—Monitoringofsocialmediasitesrelatedtorecreationaltrailuse.

8.2.d.4Stakeholderresponsestomanagementactivitiesaremonitoredandrecordedasnecessary.

C Ateachstateforestacomplaintslogismaintained.Thiswasexaminedandresolutiontoeachcommentisdocumentedwhentheissuehasbeeninvestigatedandclosed.

8.2.d.5Wheresitesofculturalsignificanceexist,the C TherearenosuchsitesontheFMU.However,FMEoffered



opportunitytojointlymonitorsitesofculturalsignificanceisofferedtotribalrepresentatives(seePrinciple3).

thisopportunitytoTribesparticipatingintheCACinthepast.Inaddition,FMEiscooperatingwiththeMDCommissionofIndianAffairsThemostsignificantchangesincethelastauditisthatmanagersintheEasternRegionhaveinitiatedcontactwithanewrecognizedtribalrepresentativeandaretryingtoattaintribalparticipationontheCAC.

8.2.eTheforestownerormanagermonitorsthecostsandrevenuesofmanagementinordertoassessproductivityandefficiency.

C FMEreportedthatCF/PSFholdsquarterly&biweeklymeetingswiththeContractManager.AllstateforestshaveweeklyBMPinspectionsofharvestingoperations.CostandrevenueismonitoredaspartoftheAWPprocess.AMPscontainasummaryofcostandrevenueinformation.EachSFhasitsownoperationalbudget.EachSFmaintainsaspreadsheetandreportsthesetostateofficesinAnnapolis.Accountingreviewsallexpenditures.

8.3Documentationshallbeprovidedbytheforestmanagertoenablemonitoringandcertifyingorganizationstotraceeachforestproductfromitsorigin,aprocessknownasthe"chainofcustody."

NE

8.4Theresultsofmonitoringshallbeincorporatedintotheimplementationandrevisionofthemanagementplan.

NE

8.5Whilerespectingtheconfidentialityofinformation,forestmanagersshallmakepubliclyavailableasummaryoftheresultsofmonitoringindicators,includingthoselistedinCriterion8.2.

NE

Principle#9:Managementactivitiesinhighconservationvalueforestsshallmaintainorenhancetheattributeswhichdefinesuchforests.Decisionsregardinghighconservationvalueforestsshallalwaysbeconsideredinthecontextofaprecautionaryapproach.HighConservationValueForestsarethosethatpossessoneormoreofthefollowingattributes:a) Forestareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificant:concentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.,

endemism,endangeredspecies,refugia);and/orlargelandscapelevelforests,containedwithin,orcontainingthemanagementunit,whereviablepopulationsofmostifnotallnaturallyoccurringspeciesexistinnaturalpatternsofdistributionandabundance

b) Forestareasthatareinorcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystemsc) Forestareasthatprovidebasicservicesofnatureincriticalsituations(e.g.,watershedprotection,erosioncontrol)d) Forestareasfundamentaltomeetingbasicneedsoflocalcommunities(e.g.,subsistence,health)and/orcriticalto

localcommunities’traditionalculturalidentity(areasofcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificanceidentifiedincooperationwithsuchlocalcommunities).

C9.1.AssessmenttodeterminethepresenceoftheattributesconsistentwithHighConservationValueForestswillbecompleted,appropriatetoscaleandintensityofforestmanagement.

C

9.1.a.Theforestownerormanageridentifiesand C TheDNRmaintainsaHCVFfeatureclasslayerinGISwhichis



mapsthepresenceofHighConservationValueForests(HCVF)withintheFMUand,totheextentthatdataareavailable,adjacenttotheirFMU,inamannerconsistentwiththeassessmentprocess,definitions,datasources,andotherguidancedescribedinAppendixF.GiventherelativerarityofoldgrowthforestsinthecontiguousUnitedStates,theseareasarenormallydesignatedasHCVF,andalloldgrowthmustbemanagedinconformancewithIndicator6.3.a.3andrequirementsforlegacytreesinIndicator6.3.f.

availabletoallforestersasconfirmedintheGRSFoffice.EachSFmanagementplanincludesaresourcedescriptionandmapsofHCVFs.WhenworkistobecompletednearorinanHCVFtheAWPalsoincludesdetailedinformation.HCVFdesignationsincludeold-growthdesignations(OGEMA)andnearlyold-growthasdemonstratedbytheGRSFmanagementplansection5.2.3.Oldgrowthareasarenotpartofthemanagementzoneandareexcludedfromtimberharvest,includingsalvage,orotherphysicalalterations.TheFMEprovidesfornotonlyplanningstate-wideandSFlevelbutthemanagementsystemensuresfieldstaffincorporateidentificationintoharvestplans.Forexample,theGRSFFY2018AnnualWorkPlan(aspartoftheforestmanagementplanandisanoperationalprocessdocument),page11(TreasureRoadunit)includesidentificationofstreamswithinthemanagementareathatareconsideredHCVF.TherewesixtotalHCVFidentifiedmanagementareasidentifiedforFY2018plans.

9.1.b.Indevelopingtheassessment,theforestownerormanagerconsultswithqualifiedspecialists,independentexperts,andlocalcommunitymemberswhomayhaveknowledgeofareasthatmeetthedefinitionofHCVs.

C Asconformedthroughinterviewsanddocumentreview,thisFMEconsultedwithavarietyofexpertsonanumberofdifferentoccasionsduringthepast10yearsduringthecompletionofthisassessmentprocess.SpecialistsincludedTNCandMDDNRHeritageprogram.

9.1.c.Asummaryoftheassessmentresultsandmanagementstrategies(seeCriterion9.3)isincludedinthemanagementplansummarythatismadeavailabletothepublic.

C TheSustainableForestManagementPlanPublicSummary,forexample,forthePSFandtheGMSFwerereviewedandincludeasummaryofHCVFassessmentresultsandmanagementstrategies.

C9.2.Theconsultativeportionofthecertificationprocessmustplaceemphasisontheidentifiedconservationattributes,andoptionsforthemaintenancethereof.

C

9.2.a.TheforestownerormanagerholdsconsultationswithstakeholdersandexpertstoconfirmthatproposedHCVFlocationsandtheirattributeshavebeenaccuratelyidentified,andthatappropriateoptionsforthemaintenanceoftheirHCVattributeshavebeenadopted.

C Easternshore:Stakeholderconsultationmeetingswereheldin2006todetermineHCVFboundariesandmaintenanceoptions.WesternMD:Infallof2010staffmetwithrepresentativesfromTheNatureConservancy,NewPageandinternalexperts(Manager/MDDNRHeritageandWildlifeStaff)toformulateinitialHCVFdesignationsforthewesternforests.

9.2.b.Onpublicforests,atransparentandaccessiblepublicreviewofproposedHCVattributesandHCVFareasandmanagementiscarriedout.InformationfromstakeholderconsultationsandotherpublicreviewisintegratedintoHCVFdescriptions,delineationsandmanagement.

C EachSFMPandAWPincludeHCVFdesignationsandwaspartofamulti-stagepublicreviewprocess;eachplancontainsdetailedinformationonproposedHCV’s.Seeexampleunder9.1.a,above.

C9.3.Themanagementplanshallincludeand C



implementspecificmeasuresthatensurethemaintenanceand/orenhancementoftheapplicableconservationattributesconsistentwiththeprecautionaryapproach.Thesemeasuresshallbespecificallyincludedinthepubliclyavailablemanagementplansummary.9.3.a.Themanagementplanandrelevantoperationalplansdescribethemeasuresnecessarytoensurethemaintenanceand/orenhancementofallhighconservationvaluespresentinallidentifiedHCVFareas,includingtheprecautionsrequiredtoavoidrisksorimpactstosuchvalues(seePrinciple7).Thesemeasuresareimplemented.

C EachSFmanagementplanincludesaresourcedescriptionandmapsofHCVFs.Allsitesinspectedin2018hadactiveHCVFlayerdatashownonmaps.WhenworkistobecompletednearorinanHCVFtheAWPalsoincludesdetailedinformation.Forexample,severalcontrolprojectsonthePGSFincludedtreatmentandfollow-uptreatmentsthatwillkeepnon-nativeinvasiveplantsfrominvadinganHCVFtomaintainvaluesandavoidrisksorimpactstoHCVs.Thetreatmentshavebeenimplementedfor5-yearconsecutiveyearsina5-7-yearprogramincludingmonitoringofresults.InanotherexampleonPGSFCompartment32,BrierRidge,MDDNRNaturalHeritagestaffassistedwithfielddelineationoftheadjacentHCVFtoavoidimpacts.AWPmapsincludedetailedmapsoftheHCVFboundary.Andinanotherexampleobservedduringthe2014auditprogram,theD14-IndiantownComplex,S5,6,7,9and10ontheCSFinvolvesaprojectforDelmarvaBayRestorationandRTEspeciesbasedonMDDNRNaturalHeritageprescriptionsandadvice.Prescribedfirewasusedin2013withafirebreakandpermanentplotstakesobserved.MDDNRNaturalHeritageflaggedtheedgeofthepool.MachineswerenotallowedintheBayPool;Heritagestaffgirdledloblollypineswithinthepool.

9.3.b.AllmanagementactivitiesinHCVFsmustmaintainorenhancethehighconservationvaluesandtheextentoftheHCVF.

C EachSFMPdescribesthemanagementactivitieswithinHCVFs.Forexample,theGRSFplanstates“managementprescriptionswillfocusonenhancingandprotectingthedesignatedESA.SeeChapter7oftheplanfordetailedexplanationsonthetypeofmanagementactivityrecommendedforeachzoneandforthespecificdefinitionandprescriptionforeachESAcategory.ESAshavebeendesignatedasHighConservationValueForest(HCVF)…”Managementactivitiesobservedduringthis2014auditprogramwithinornearHCVFsaredescribedaboveandelsewhereinthisreportandconfirmtherequirementsofthissectionaswellasconformancetomanagementplanrequirements.

9.3.c.IfHCVFattributescrossownershipboundariesandwheremaintenanceoftheHCVattributeswouldbeimprovedbycoordinatedmanagement,thentheforestownerormanagerattemptstocoordinateconservationeffortswithadjacentlandowners.

C FMEroutinelycoordinatesmanagementacrossownershipboundaries.AnexampleofthejointmanagementwithWildlifeDivisionpersonnelwasobservedatthe2018sitePG-2016-S-04whichwasajointGoshawkmanagementsite.Goshawkspreferlargecanopytreeswithanopenunderstoryforhuntingaspartofcriticalhabitatfeatures.Forestrydivisionstaffworkedcollaborativelytoremoveunder-andmid-storywoodystemstoopenflightlanesforGoshawkhuntinginthisstand.



9.4Annualmonitoringshallbeconductedtoassesstheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedtomaintainorenhancetheapplicableconservationattributes.

C

9.4.aTheforestownerormanagermonitors,orparticipatesinaprogramtoannuallymonitor,thestatusofthespecificHCVattributes,includingtheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedfortheirmaintenanceorenhancement.ThemonitoringprogramisdesignedandimplementedconsistentwiththerequirementsofPrinciple8.

C FMEreportedthatitsWildlife&HeritageUnitcontinuestomonitorESAspostrestorationtreatmentonhighprioritysites.DNRFisheriesdoregularBrooktroutmonitoringinSFstreams,MarylandBiologicalStreamSurveyhasdatacollectionpointsonseveralstreams(allinHCVFstreambuffers),MDMarylandDepartmentofAgricultureHemlockWoolyAdelgidprotectioneffortsaremonitoredbyMDAforeffectiveness,mostofthesestandsarewithinHCVFareas,includingthe50ft.streambuffers.FMEhasonlyreportedonactivitiesrelatedtothemanagementofsignificantconcentrationsofRTEspecies,suchastheDelmarvaFoxSquirrel.WhilemanyHCVsrelyonpassivemanagementapproaches,NaturalHeritagestaffconductannualreviewsoftheseareasbasedonasamplingprotocol.PublicationsonFrostedElfinbutterflyhabitatwereprovidedasevidenceofmonitoringofthissignificantconcentrationofRTEspeciespopulation.

9.4.bWhenmonitoringresultsindicateincreasingrisktoaspecificHCVattribute,theforestowner/managerre-evaluatesthemeasurestakentomaintainorenhancethatattribute,andadjuststhemanagementmeasuresinanefforttoreversethetrend.

C FMEhasnotreportedanyincreasingriskstospecificHCVattributesundertheircontrol.

APPENDICESAPPENDIXC:REGIONALLIMITSANDOTHERGUIDELINESONOPENINGSIZES,Indicator6.3.g.1ThisAppendixcontainsregionalIndicatorsandguidancepertinenttomaximumopeningsizesandotherguidelinesfordeterminingsizeopeningsandretention.TheseIndicatorsarerequirementsbasedonFSC-USregionaldelineationsAPPALACHIAREGION6.3.g.1.aWheneven-agedsilviculture(e.g.,seedtree,regularorirregularshelterwood),ordefermentcuttingisemployed,livetreesandnativevegetationareretainedandopeningsizesarecreatedwithintheharvestunitinaproportionandconfigurationthatisconsistentwiththecharacteristicnaturaldisturbanceregimeineachcommunitytype,unlessretentionatalowerlevelisnecessaryforrestorationorrehabilitationpurposes.Harvestopeningswithnoretentionarelimitedto10acres.Guidance:Even-agesilvicultureisusedonlywherenaturallyoccurringspeciesaremaintainedorenhanced.Retentionwithinharvestunitscaninclude

C Numerousexampleswereobservedduringthe2018auditoflivetreeandnativevegetationretention.MDDNRconsistentlyandroutinelyusedbothdispersedandclumpedretentionofrepresentativedominantandco-dominantspecies.Exampleswereconfirmedofpreferentiallyleavinghighqualitysnagspeciesandthoseofotherwildlifequalityvalue(suchasmastbearingoakspecies).NeitherchemicaltreatmentsforsitepreparationnorplantingwasobservedinWesternregionduringthe2018audit.Thus,thesesitesretainednativevegetationinthestandsexamined.Silviculturemethodsusedwereconsistentwithlandhistorycharacteristicsandsilvicalrequirementsofnativetreespecies



riparianandstreamsidebuffersandotherspecialzones.Inaddition,desirableoverstoryandunderstoryspeciesmayberetainedoutsideofbuffersorspecialzoneswhileallowingforregenerationofshade-intolerantandintermediatespeciesconsistentwithoverallmanagementprincipals.Wherestandshavebeendegraded,lessretentioncanbeusedtoimprovebothmerchantableandnon-merchantableattributes.

occurringandbeingmaintainedonsites.Noharvestopeningsgreaterthan10acreswereobservedandallharvestareaswithriparianfeaturesretainedbuffersasprovidedinstateBMPswithseveralexamplesthatexceededrequirements.Theseareasweregenerallytreatedasnocut/noequipment.

6.3.g.1.bWhenunevenagesilviculturaltechniquesareused(e.g.,individualtreeselectionorgroupselection),canopyopeningsarelessthan2.5acres.Applicabilitynote:Unevenagesilviculturaltechniquesareusedwhentheymaintainorenhancetheoverallspeciesrichnessandbiologicdiversity,regenerate-shadetolerantorintermediate-tolerantspecies,and/orprovidesmallcanopyopeningstoregenerateshade-intolerantandintermediatespecies.Uneven-agetechniquesaregenerallyusedtodevelopforestswithatleastthreeageclasses.Unevenagesilvicultureisemployedtopreventhigh-gradingand/ordiameterlimitcutting.

C Foruneven-agedstandstherewerenogapsobservedthatweregreaterthan2.5acres.Gapsweredesignedforreleasingexistingregeneration,promotingregeneration,salvagepurposes,oroperationalefficiencies.Seesitenotes.

Appendix6–ChainofCustodyIndicatorsforFMEs

ChainofCustodyindicatorswerenotevaluatedduringthisannualaudit.X