Date: 3/6/09

Riparian Management Zones and Filter StripsCurriculum

Primary Author: Chris DunhamThe Nature Conservancy394 Lake Ave SouthDuluth, MN 55802218-727-6119cdunham@tnc.org

I. Target audience(s)Logging business owners/employees and forest management professionals

II. Learning Objective(S)/PurposeThe objective is to introduce the Riparian Zone Management (RMZ) and filter strip guidelines to a mixed audience of logging business owners/employees and forest management professionals during a 30-minute field presentation. The information presented should allow participants to understand the purpose of these features, where to find the relevant guidelines in the forest management guidebook, and strategies for maintaining their functionality on-the-ground.

Presentations should be modified to highlight RMZ and filter strip issues occurring on the field site being used during the presentation. Assuming that the site is adjacent to a stream, lake, or open-water wetland, the discussion should include 1) information about the waterbody (e.g., type, size) and site-based concerns (e.g., beaver, exposure to wind, insect or disease issues), 2) the landowner management objectives for the RMZ, and 3) how the guidelines have been implemented on the site. Presenters should encourage participant discussion regarding their perspectives and experiences relating to implementation of the RMZ and filter strip guidelines.

III. Presentation Outline

The following material is intended to provide the content that should be conveyed to workshop participants at the soil productivity field station. It is NOT intended to be used as a script to be recited word-for-word. Instead, use this outline as a basis for

creating your own personalized presentation. Instructors should be familiar enough with the material to do the presentation without having to refer to extensive notes.

Allow approximately 15 to 20 minutes for this discussion. You may not be able to cover all topics in full during the time allotted.

Q: What is a riparian area?A: “Rationale for Guidelines” tab (yellow) page 3

Area of land and water forming a transition from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems along streams, lakes, and open water wetlands.

Q: Describe different types of riparian areas you are familiar with in MNA: “Rationale for Guidelines” tab (yellow) page 8

Adjacent to streams with wide swampy flood plain Adjacent to fast flowing streams with steep banks Wet cedar riparian forest Black spruce riparian forest Hardwood riparian forests

Q: What are some potential issues and concerns with forest management operations within riparian areas?A: “Rationale for Guidelines” tab (yellow) page 5.

Timber removal may increase water and sediment runoff leading to changes in the stream channel that result in loss of habitat for fish and other organisms.

Decreased woody instream cover Increased water temperature Reduced inputs of fine litter Reduced plant and animal diversity Increased sediment may reduce water quality Road crossings may add sediment and cause bank failures

Q: What is a riparian management zone (RMZ)?A: “Rationale for Guidelines” tab (yellow) page 3, 10

Areas of special concern along streams, lakes, and open water wetlands Note that dry washes in southeastern Minnesota are not included within that list That portion of the riparian area where site conditions and landowner objectives

are used to determine management activities that address riparian resource needs. RMZs are intended to retain a relatively continuous forest cover. Forest management activities may be conducted within the RMZ (p. 29, General

Guidelines)

Identification of RMZs:“General Guidelines” tab (green) page 29, 37. Refer to the “Summary of Some of the RMZ and Filter Strip Guidelines” handout when discussing any of the following points.

Also, use the “Riparian Management Field Adjustment Key” handout to discuss how you modify those recommendations to make them site-specific.

Forest management guidelines provide guidance however due to variability in types of riparian areas, site conditions, and landowner objectives, RMZs need to be determined during an on the ground evaluation of the site

RMZs are based on the topography, hydrology, and vegetation within the riparian area

RMZ components include its width, and residual basal area Width and residual basal area vary dependent upon the type and size of water

body and whether the prescription is even-aged or uneven-aged management. For all trout streams and trout lakes, the residual basal area differs between even-

and uneven-aged management objectives. There are no differences for size or width of the trout stream or trout lake.

RMZ recommendations vary for non-trout water bodies and are dependent on their size and the forest type adjacent to the water body.

Size breaks for non-trout waters are: non-trout streams >10’ wide, non trout streams 3-10’ wide, perennial non-trout streams <3’ wide, intermittent non-trout streams<3’ wide, non-trout lakes and open water wetlands 10 acres or larger, non-trout lakes and open water wetlands under 10 acres.

RMZ width is measured along the slope distance from the edge of the water body RMZ width may either parallel the water body or be a straight line as long as the

average width meets your plan for the site. Stream width is estimated at bank full elevation at the narrowest part of a straight

channel segment within the management area. No minimum diameter is established when measuring residual basal area. For a listing of designated trout streams, designated tributaries to trout streams,

and designated trout lakes, contact regional DNR fisheries offices, local zoning offices, or the legislative website at www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/6264

Where beaver ponds have been created in non-trout waters, the width of the RMZ is calculated from the edge of the stream channel projected through the beaver pond rather than the edge of the flooding caused by dams. A filter strip should be established from the edge of the pond.

Using the guidebook to determine RMZ Recommendations Use categories on page 40 and page numbers on page 41 under green

“General Guidelines” tab to guide you to the appropriate tables and figures for determining the RMZ recommendations for your water body type and even or uneven aged management objective.

The guidebook values for RMZ width and residual basal area are statewide recommendations and are not site-specific values. You need to use those values as starting points and then modify them based on site conditions and landowner objectives to determine management activities that address riparian resource needs. It is acceptable to vary above or below those recommended width and residual basal area guidelines.

Landowner management objectives and management recommendations for the RMZ should be documented during the planning process.

Residual basal area may be scattered or left in clumps. Either way residual trees or clumps of trees should be evenly distributed throughout the RMZ (p. 32 General Guidelines)

See Table GG7 (p. 76 General Guidelines) for leave tree preferences. Create or retain at least four leave logs per acre (p.79-80 General Guidelines) Even-aged management RMZ recommendations suggest concentrating leave

trees in the general harvest area adjacent to the RMZ. The recommendation is to leave 5% of the area adjacent to the RMZ reserved in a variety of clumps at least ¼ acre in size.

Once RMZs are determined they should be delineated in a way that is easily understood by operators: painted or flagged on the ground and marked on a harvest site map (see Figure GG-3).

Other RMZ Considerations (explore if time allows, if not just point out pages below) The variability of site conditions and landowner objectives points to the need

for flexibility and professional judgment in making forest management decisions within RMZs. See General Guidelines page 32-34 (Flexibility Considerations) and General Guidelines page 38-39 (Incorporating Guidelines into Plan design) for additional issues and trade-offs that may help with these decisions.

Monitoring results: Implementation monitoring results from 2004, 2005, and 2006 indicate that compliance with the recommended RMZ guidelines for width and residual basal area decreased from 52% to 46% as compared to the baseline levels measured in 2001-2002. Many of the instances of noncompliance involved open-water wetlands less than 1 acre in size or streams less than 3 feet wide that may have been obscured by snow at the time of harvest or timber sale setup.

Filter Strips

Q: What is a filter strip?A: “General Guidelines” tab (green) p.24

Filter strips are areas adjacent to perennial and intermittent streams, lakes, open water wetlands, non-open water wetlands, seasonal ponds, seeps, and springs that help minimize the runoff of sediment, debris, nutrients, and pesticides into these water bodies

Q: What is the purpose of a filter strip?A: “General Guidelines” tab (green) p.24

Controlling non-point source pollution near surface water and wetlands is important

Forest management activities increase the potential for sedimentation due to mineral soil exposure

Filter strips provide a zone of infiltration that protects surface water.

Filter Strip Guidelines “General Guidelines” tab (green) p.24&25 Forest management activities may be conducted in filter strips Apply filter strip guidelines independently of the width of the RMZ Filter strips should border and parallel the edge of all water bodies Limit soil exposure in filter strips to less than 5% well-distributed throughout the

filter strip (exceptions are made when more soil disturbance is needed for the regeneration of certain desired species

Minimize compaction on susceptible soils in filter strips through season of harvest and equipment selection.

Consider additional stabilization when necessary (slash placement, straw, seeding)

Monitoring results: Implementation monitoring results from 2004, 2005, and 2006 indicate that roads and skid trails were located outside filter strips and RMZs 86% of the time and landings 89.5% of the time. Overall, the guideline limiting filter disturbance to < 5% dispersed evenly was met more than 95.9% of the time.

Using the guidebook to determine filter strip recommendations Use Table GG1 on page 25 under the “General Guidelines” tab (green) to

determine filter strip width.

IV. Discussion Questions

a) Thinking about the landowner's objectives, site conditions, the goal of RMZ guidelines, and type of water body, what are some other ways in which the RMZ could have been designed? What would you have differently on this site?

b) When laying out the boundary of an RMZ, you can use 1) a straight line, 2) a line that parallels the water's edge, or 3) a wavy line that is closer in some areas and farther in others. Assuming that each method results in the same average RMZ width, what are some of the advantages and disadvantages of each approach?

c) Thinking about this site, what site characteristics suggest that we might be in a riparian area? Potential characteristics include: 1) high soil moisture (which may lead to decreased operability); 2) different microclimate (e.g. cooler, higher humidity); 3) higher diversity of vegetation or different species of vegetation present as compared to an upland area. May be a higher number of plants present and those plants are more characteristic of wet areas; 4) different topography; 5) higher diversity of wildlife or different species of wildlife present as compared to an upland area. Some wildlife such as herons, ducks, mergansers, and some forest songbirds are highly dependent on riparian habitats.

d) Implementation monitoring results from 2004, 2005, and 2006 indicate that compliance with the recommended RMZ guidelines for width and residual basal area decreased from 52% to 46% as compared to the baseline levels measured in 2001-2002. Many of the instances of noncompliance involved open-water wetlands less than 1 acre in size or streams less than 3 feet wide that may have been obscured by snow at the time of harvest or timber sale setup. Assuming that the problem was with not knowing those small waterbodies existed because of snow cover, what keys can resource managers and loggers use to identify those features during the winter?

e) Do you do anything to indicate the boundary between the RMZ and the upland? If so, why do you indicate that boundary and what do you do? Paint? Something else?

f) How do you document management objectives and management recommendations for the RMZ?

V. Frequently Asked Questions

a) How do you identify whether the water body is a designated trout stream, a tributary of a designated trout stream, or a designated trout lake? Answer: For a listing of designated trout streams, designated tributaries to trout streams, and designated trout lakes, contact regional DNR fisheries offices, local zoning offices, or the legislative website at www.revisor.leg.state.mn.us/arule/6264

b) How do you measure the width of an RMZ, starting from where? Answer: RMZ width is measured along the slope distance from the edge of the water body

c) How do you determine if a non-trout stream is <3’, 3-10’, or >10’ wide? Do you measure water to water or bank to bank? At what point along the stream channel do you measure? Answer: Stream width is estimated at bank full elevation at the narrowest part of a straight channel segment within the management area

d) Is shading the stream the only function of residual basal area within an RMZ? What other functions do residuals have? Answer: No, additional functions include 1) maintaining streambank, channel, and shoreline stability, and water quality; 2) provide water storage and conservation, nutrient and food input to the aquatic system, instream structure of coarse woody debris, and a moderated microclimate; 3) provide important habitat for many species of

fish, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects; 4) provide recreation, tourism, forest products, hunting, fishing, biological diversity, and other human values; and 5) provide travel corridors and habitat continuity for wildlife.

e) What types of water bodies should filter strips be applied to? Answer: Perennial and intermittent streams, lakes, open water wetlands, non-open water wetlands, seasonal ponds, seeps, and springs

f) How do you deal with a beaver pond inside an RMZ? Where do you start your RMZ measurement from? Answer: Estimate the location of the normal stream channel (rather than the edge of the flooding caused by dams) and measure from that point. In many cases, the beaver pond will extend beyond the guideline recommendations for RMZ width.

g) Do beaver ponds need a filter strip? Answer: Yes

h) What is the minimum diameter for residual basal within an RMZ? Answer: There is no minimum diameter. All trees make a contribution to that residual basal area total.

i) Does the border of the RMZ parallel the water body the way a filter strip does? Answer: No. RMZ width may either parallel the water body or be a straight line, as long as the average width your plan for the site.

Why are recommended RMZ widths for even aged management less than those for uneven aged management? Answer: Conventional wisdom might suggest that since a higher residual basal area will generally be left for uneven-age management, the RMZ does not need to be as wide as for even-age management. While that logic may be correct, the reason for the difference relates to where members of the Riparian Technical Team felt comfortable establishing a recommended RMZ width during the creation of the guidelines in the late 1990s. While the example below pertains to non-trout streams more than 10 feet wide, the logic is similar for other water bodies.

When the Riparian Technical Team began deliberating RMZ widths and residual basal areas, they began by discussing uneven-age management as that management strategy appeared to be less contentious than even-age management. Initially, an agreement on RMZ width for uneven-age management was reached at 100 feet from the water's edge. There was additional discussion about what a manager might do differently at distances beyond 100 feet, assuming that the uneven-age species and similar management goals exist beyond that point. Land managers felt that they would continue using similar uneven-age management approaches and maintain similar residual basal areas at greater distances from the water, as long as site and stand conditions remained similar beyond the 100 feet. Consensus was then reached that the RMZ for uneven-age management was 200 feet.

The Technical Team used a similar approach when discussing RMZ guidelines for even-age management. Consensus was initially reached at a width of 100 feet from the water's edge. When managers were asked whether they would use different strategies beyond 100 feet, they indicated that they would probably maintain a lower residual basal area outside of the RMZ in those cases where the even-age management species exist beyond that distance. Concern was expressed that as RMZ width increased with recommended residual basal area values above about 25 ft square/acre, regeneration and the long-term development of even-age species such as aspen would be problematic. Therefore, consensus could not be reached to increase the RMZ width for even-age management beyond 100 feet.

Why are leave trees recommended in the general harvest area outside of the RMZ? Answer: Leave trees improve wind firmness of the RMZ, improve water conservation, increase energy inputs to the aquatic system, and enhance the microclimate affecting the aquatic system.

Can a landing be constructed inside an RMZ?Answer: While it is not prohibited, landings, roads, fueling areas, and maintenance areas should be kept outside of RMZs wherever practical. The reason is to keep these fluids as far away from water as possible.

What is the difference between a filter strip and an RMZ?Answer: Filter strips have a more singular purpose of protecting surface water from runoff of sediment, debris, nutrients, and chemicals. RMZs serve a broader purpose of conservation of both aquatic and terrestrial habitat and processes.

Filter strip guidelines are applied independently of RMZ recommendations. On steeper slopes, the filter strip may be wider than the RMZ. On sites that are relatively flat adjacent to a designated trout stream, the RMZ may be wider than the filter strip.

Filter strip recommendations apply to more water body types than RMZs (all RMZ water bodies plus springs, seeps, non-open water wetlands, seasonal ponds, and beaver ponds)

Filter strips border and parallel all water bodies where RMZs have the option of running in a straight line or being wider or narrower than the average distance. That variation allows you to adjust for topographic conditions, insect or disease problems, species differences, etc.

What is a dry wash? Dry washes are an incised, often V-shaped gully that receives precipitation directly to help initiate flow, or indirectly as surface runoff from an immediately adjacent agricultural field or grazed slope. Little or no water is contributed by seeps or springs. For a complex series of stream and gully channels, the channel above the uppermost seep or spring along a stream reach is the dry wash, and the segment below is the intermittent stream until there is a reach where it is defined as perennial. Dry washes often have a coarse rubble or bedrock bed.

What are the issues associated with managing within an area that has a dry wash? The two major issues with dry washes are the control of excessive agricultural erosion at the head of the dry wash and stabilization of the banks and bed within the wash. Detention ponds at the top of the hill are the most effective measure in controlling erosion into dry washes, but these are usually on agricultural land, and therefore are beyond the scope of these guidelines. Bank and bed stability are the most significant outcomes related to management and forest practices within these dry washes.

What should I do in an area that has a dry wash in southeastern Minnesota? Because deep root systems from trees enhance bank stabilization, selective harvest prescriptions are the preferred option within 25 feet of the dry wash bank. Patch clearcuts for oaks adjacent to this selection strip will still allow enough light penetration to encourage oak regeneration. It is possible to harvest timber to the edge of the dry wash. Employ one or more of the following practices to protect bank stability:

Employ selective harvest prescriptions within 25 feet of the dry wash bank as it fulfills harvest or landowner requirements, provided sufficient live root system will remain for bank and bed protection.

Select leave trees for wildlife, biased toward areas adjacent to the dry wash.Other erosion control measures commonly associated with steep slopes and dry washes include:

Design skid trail and road layouts for water control prior to the harvest. Embed slash in skid trails before concentrated skidding. Harvest progressively from back to front, with water control structures

installed as cutting progresses (see illustration in timber harvesting section, Figure TH-2).

Harvest on frozen ground when feasible. Minimize roading and soil displacement. Avoid cabling logs across the wash (bank damage) where feasible. Use directional felling techniques when possible. Utilize appropriate equipment to minimize soil impacts.

What and where should I document RMZ recommendations?The guidebook presents recommended width and residual basal area values for the RMZ. It is acceptable to vary above or below those recommended values based on site conditions or landowner objectives.

Regardless of what width and residual basal areas are selected for the site, document the landowner's management objectives within the Stewardship or project plan and the management prescription for the RMZ within the project plan (see below). This information will help a monitoring team understand why and what was done within the RMZ.

What to document Where to documentLandowner's objectives.......................................................Stewardship plan or project planRMZ width.........................................................................Project planResidual basal area within RMZ........................................Project planEven- or uneven-age management.....................................Project planResponse to change of management within the RMZ........Project planPresence and location of special features that may impact the project operation (e.g., Endangered, threatened and special concern species; cultural resources) and what was done to protect those features......................Project planReasons for departures from recommendations.................Project plan

VI. Group Activity / Case Studies

Run through several water body and management objective (even/uneven aged) scenarios and have participants determine RMZ width and residual basal area.

Do the same for filter strips from Table GG1 on Page 25 of the General Guidelines.

Practice measuring slope distance from the edge of a water body to determine RMZ width.

Practice estimating stream width for non trout streams at bank full elevation at the narrowest part of a straight channel segment within the management area.

Practice flagging residual basal area within an RMZ, (80 and 25 sq. ft./acre) both clumped and scattered.

Practice flagging the 5% patch reserves in an even aged general harvest area adjacent to an RMZ

Identify windfirm species and individuals to leave as residuals within an RMZ Discuss how landowner management objectives, management recommendations,

and site conditions interact with guideline decisions for that site.

VII. Resources

2005 version of Site-Level Forest Management Guidelines

Before the workshop, obtain a copy of the landowner management objectives, management recommendations, site conditions, and documentation included within the project plan.

VIII.HandoutsParticipants should receive a copy of the following handouts:

Summary of Some of the RMZ and Filter Strip GuidelinesRiparian Management Field Adjustment Key

Applying Riparian Management Zone Guidelines Tip Sheet

IX. Facility, field site or other presentation needs

Primary need: The site must include a riparian management zone where some management (i.e., removal of timber) has occurred within the RMZ.

Secondary needs: The RMZ specifications for width and/or residual basal area are different from the guidebook recommendations, the boundary with the upland has been either painted or flagged, the RMZ and filter strip have different widths.

X. Other

A thorough understanding of the Guidelines is an important component of developing and facilitating the discussion. It is more important to have an understanding of the Guidelines than to have a background in hydrology, fisheries, or waters.

Before the workshop, instructors should review the following sections of the Forest Management Guidelines.

Riparian Areas (Part 3, “Rationale for Guidelines” in the yellow section). “Conducting a Site Inventory” (General Guidelines, pp. 10-15 in the green

section). “Incorporating Sustainability into Forest Management Plans” (General

Guidelines, pp. 17-21 in the green section). “Maintaining Filter Strips” (General Guidelines, pp. 24-28 in the green

section). “Managing Riparian Areas” (General Guidelines, pp. 29-67 in the green

section) “Managing Equipment, Fuel and Lubricants” (General Guidelines, p. 70 in the

green section). “Managing Dry Washes in Southeastern Minnesota” (General Guidelines, p.

74 in the green section). Table GG-7 “Leave Tree Preferences for Longevity, Windfirmness and

Cavity Potential” (General Guidelines, p. 76 in the green section).

Applying Riparian Management Zone GuidelinesGeneral approach for each stream, lake, or open-water wetland

Tip Sheet

Identify landowner objectivesDetermine type of water body

Stream, lake, open-water wetlandTrout vs. non-trout

Determine size of water body (if non-trout)Stream width (measured in feet)Lakes and open water wetlands (measured in acres)

Evaluate conditions within landscape and riparian area (topography, hydrology, vegetation)Determine filter strip widthDetermine management approach within RMZ

Even-age managementUneven-age management

Determine RMZ width and residual basal area (use guidebook values as starting but not necessarily the ending point)

Determine shape/boundary of RMZ (straight line vs. line that parallels water’s edge vs. wavy line that is closer in some areas and more distant in others)

Determine how to mark/paint the RMZ boundaryDetermine residual species (e.g., windfirmness, crown size, long-lived, uneven-age, beaver

concerns, super-canopy)Determine distribution of residual trees (e.g., relatively evenly distributed vs. gaps/clumps,

minimum/maximum size of cleared areas, location of residuals outside of RMZ for even-age management, look for opportunities to protect important features within the RMZ such as cultural resources or ETS species [endangered, threatened and special concern], favor tree retention near the bank edge, favor leaving trees leaning toward the stream that will eventually fall in and provide coarse woody debris for fish habitat)

Determine location of infrastructure as compared to RMZ and filter stripLanding locationFueling and maintenance areasRoad and skid trail location

Determine location for water diversion structure(s) on approaches to water crossingsDetermine number of leave logs per acre within RMZDocument landowner goals and RMZ prescription within the management plan

Summary of Some of the RMZ and Filter Strip GuidelinesFilter Strip Width Guide

Slope of land between activity and water body

Recommended width of filter strip (slope distance)*

0 – 10% 50 feet11 – 20% 51 – 70 feet21 – 40% 71 – 110 feet41 – 70% 111 – 150 feet*For roads, distance is measured from the edge of soil disturbance. For fills, distance is measured from the bottom of the fill slope. Filter strip width increases approximately 2 feet for each percent increase in slope above 10%. For example, the filter strip recommendation for a range in slope values from 11 to 20% is 51 to 70 feet. If the slope is 18%, then the filter strip width is 66 feet (50 + 2x8).

Remember Filter strip guidelines apply adjacent to all waterbodies During even-age management, concentrate leave trees adjacent to the RMZ in clumps, strips, or islands varying in size with a

minimum of ¼-acre per clump and occupying a minimum of 5% of the area adjacent to the RMZ

All other waterbodies Even-age management Uneven-age management

Water body Size

Recommended width

Adjacent areaRMZ width

(feet)Residual basal area (ft2/acre)

RMZ width (feet)

Residual basal area (ft2/acre)

Non-trout streams (perennial and intermittent)

> 10 feet 100 25 – 80 5% patch 200 803 – 10 feet 50 25 – 80 5% patch 100 80

Non-trout streams (perennial)

< 3 feet wide 50 25 – 80 Non applicable 50 80

Non-trout streams (intermittent)

< 3 feet wide Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable

Non-trout lakes and open water wetlands

> 10 acres 100 25 – 80 5% patch 200 80< 10 acres 50 25 - 80 5% patch

Designated Trout Streams (and their designated tributaries)Management objective Recommended minimum

RMZ width (feet)Recommended minimum

residual basal area (ft2/acre)Even-age management 150 60Uneven-age management 200 80

RememberIt is acceptable to vary above or below recommended width and residual basal area guidelines, including those situations in which the management objective is to mimic natural processes. Landowner management objectives and management recommendations for the RMZ should be documented during the planning process.

Riparian Management Field Adjustment Key

Situation where you might want to establish a wider RMZ or retain a higher level of residual basal area

Things to think about

Situation where you might want a narrower RMZ and/or retain a lower level of residual basal area

•Much of the watershed has been cleared, roaded, or paved.• Extensive harvesting has occurred within the watershed, leaving little connectivity.

Conditions outside of the RMZ

There are few road crossings, forest roads, or other impervious surfaces found within the watershed and harvest area.

• Soils adjacent to the waterbody are erodible and have low infiltration rates. Slopes adjacent to the waterbody are at least 5%. Bank stability is low (e.g., area outside of stream bends, high banks present, bank overhangs waterbody).

Threat of erosion

• Soils adjacent to waterbody are not erodible and/or have high infiltration rates. • Slopes adjacent to the waterbody are less than 5%. • Bank stability is high.

• No (or little) other vegetation present within RMZ to trap sediment or to maintain infiltration rates.• Need exists to provide coarse woody debris and organic matter inputs (leaves, needles, bark, fruit) to the waterbody.

Vegetation Other vegetation will be retained within the RMZ to trap sediment or to maintain infiltration rates.

Windthrow is a concern (i.e., shallow rooting depth to water, semi-impervious layer near surface, open exposure from the west or north, windthrow-prone species present).

Windthrow • Windthrow is unlikely.• Salvage harvest of windthrow or damaged timber.

• Little shading present along the water’s edge. • Harvest segment along water’s edge is at least 600 feet long. • Harvesting occurs on the south and/or west side of a waterbody.• Trout stream water is primarily from surface flow.

Water temperature

Harvesting occurs on the north and/or east side of a waterbody.

Riparian area contains cultural resources, endangered, threatened or special concern species or special wildlife habitat (e.g., super-canopy trees especially pines, long-lived tree species, snags, conifer understory, mast trees and shrubs, and downed logs). Growing white pine in the understory partial shade can reduce white pine blister rust and white pine weevil damage.

Important features

Insect and/or disease problems are not present.

Harvest site has high visual quality sensitivity rating. Visual quality Harvest site has low visual quality sensitivity rating.