Florida State Forest 2012
Florida State Forest SILVICULTURE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ACTIVITY REPORT
2012
Florida Forest Service FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES
Forest Hydrology Section
Jeff Vowell Forest Hydrologist Tallahassee Roy Lima Watershed Forester Tallahassee Robin Holland Best Management Practices Forester Ocala Richard Cristan Best Management Practices Forester Panama City
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
BMP Activity Location Map Activity Report Summary
1
Table 1: BMP Implementation Summary
2
State Forest Narratives Belmore State Forest
3
Big Shoals State Forest
4
Blackwater River State Forest
5-10
Cary State Forest
11-12
Etoniah Creek State Forest
13-14
Four Creeks State Forest
15-16
Lake George State Forest
17-18
Goethe State Forest
19-23
Jennings State Forest
24
John M. Bethea State Forest
25-26
Matanzas State Forest
27-28
Myakka State Forest
29
Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest Pine Log State Forest Point Washington State Forest
30-31 32 33-34
Seminole State Forest
35-36
Lake Talquin State Forest
37-40
Tate's Hell State Forest
41-45
Twin Rivers State Forest
46-48
Wakulla State Forest
49-50
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
51
Welaka State Forest
52-53
Withlacoochee State Forest
54-55
ACTIVITY REPORT SUMMARY Florida’s Silviculture Best Management Practices (BMP) Program was established as a result of the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act. This statewide program is directed at controlling nonpoint source pollution associated with forestry operations through the use of BMPs. Under delegation by the Department of Environmental Protection’s State Water Quality Program, the Florida Forest Service is responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring of BMPs in Florida. Since 1981, the Florida Forest Service has monitored forestry operations for compliance with BMPs by conducting biennial Surveys. The “Survey” consists of evaluating a random sample of forestry operations for compliance with all applicable BMPs. Forestry operations throughout the state meeting specific criteria on both public and private lands are eligible for the Survey. Given the potential for affecting the quantity and quality of the state’s water supply, it is imperative that forestry activities on State Forests be carried out in compliance with Florida’s silviculture Best Management Practices (BMPs). To that end, the Hydrology Section evaluated BMP compliance on all State Forests where silviculture activities were being conducted or had recently occurred. For the year 2012, twenty-three State Forests conducted some level of silvicultural activity where BMPs were applicable and implemented. These activities included timber harvesting, site preparation for tree planting, forest road construction, herbicide application, wet weather operations, stream crossings, fireline construction, and waste disposal. This report provides a summary of BMP compliance associated with those activities and includes evaluations of 1,515 practices on 104 individual forestry operations (sites) encompassing approximately 23,166 acres in 27 Florida counties. Of the total number of individual practices evaluated, 1,511 (99.7%) were found to be in compliance with BMPs. (See Table 1) For example, forest road BMPs were evaluated on 101 of the sites which involved existing road upgrades and installation of drainage structures such as culverts. Likewise, timber harvesting was evaluated on 65 sites with an overall compliance of 100%. Also, where timber harvesting was conducted the BMP forester noted whether the logger was recognized as a Florida Master Logger or similar recognition from another state – all of the harvested sites involved a Florida Master Logger. Finally, there were four instances of BMP non-compliance on three State Forests relating to forest roads, fireline construction, and waste disposal. The 2012 State Forest BMP Survey data is summarized in Table 1, followed by a brief narrative and photos for each State Forest included in the Survey. A state map showing the State Forests that were surveyed is also included as a reference.
Page 1
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE SILVICULTURE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
State Forest BMP Activity Report 2012 Table 1
IMPLEMENTATION SUMMARY COMPLIANCE BY CATEGORY
BMP CATEGORY
# "YES"
# "NO"
TOTAL (Y+N)
% "YES"
NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT RISKS
A. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT ZONES
34
248
0
248
100
0
B. WETLANDS
11
99
0
99
100
0
C. CANALS
4
13
0
13
100
0
D. SINKHOLES
7
20
0
20
100
0
101
317
2
319
99
0
F. STREAM CROSSINGS
7
52
0
52
100
0
G. TIMBER HARVESTING (Non-Wetlands)
65
236
0
236
100
0
H. SITE PREPARATION AND PLANTING
25
40
0
40
100
0
I. FIRELINE CONSTRUCTION
4
18
1
19
95
0
J. PESTICIDE and/or FERTILIZER USE
15
43
0
43
100
0
K. WASTE DISPOSAL
104
388
1
389
99
0
L. WET WEATHER OPERATIONS
5
7
0
7
100
0
M. EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
20
12
0
12
100
0
N. PUBLIC LANDS
101
18
0
18
100
0
1,511
4
1,515
E. FOREST ROADS
TOTALS
OVERALL COMPLIANCE (%)
0
99.7%
Page 2
BELMORE STATE FOREST Sites 1, 2, and 3 These operations consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 49 acre sandhill which was treated aerially with herbicide, chopped, and hand planted with longleaf pine. Site 2 was a 50 acre sandhill which was chopped and machine planted with longleaf pine. Site 3 was a 61 acre flatwoods site which was chopped, prescribed burned, partially harrowed, and machine planted with longleaf pine. Site 1 was adjacent to an unnamed intermittent stream and Site 3 had some interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Site 2 – Longleaf Machine Planting
Site 3 – Longleaf Machine Planting
Page 3
BIG SHOALS STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 35 acre flatwoods site which was treated aerially with herbicide, prescribed burned, and hand planted with longleaf pine. There were no waterbodies or wetlands adjacent to the treated area. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Page 4
BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST Site 1 This site was a lightwood/stump removal on 576 acres. It was conducted to help reduce the fuel in the understory and remove longleaf and slash pine stumps. Water diversion structures such as water bars and turnouts were installed along forest roads including low-water hard surface crossings where needed. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 - Lightwood/Stump Removal
Page 5
Site 2 The Blue Barnes Timber Sale was a first thinning on a sand pine plantation. This was an upland site on 252 acres. There were no waterways located on this tract and there were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 - Blue Barnes Timber Sale
Page 6
Site 3 East Ravines Timber Sale was a 581 acre thinning operation on a slash pine plantation. There were three waterways on this tract: Garnier Creek, Julian Mill Creek, and a small section of the thinning operation got within 300 feet of the Yellow River. Water turnouts were installed along the forest road to facilitate drainage during storm events. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 3 - East Ravines Timber Sale
Page 7
Site 4 This was a 749 acre site that was V-Blade planted with longleaf containerized seedlings. There was a BMP waste disposal concern observed on this site. Oil containers and a hydraulic fluid bucket were left on-site from the planting operation. There was no additional BMP non-compliance concerns related to this operation.
Site 4 – V-Blade Planting
Page 8
Site 5 A new bridge is being installed at Bryant Bridge Road. Fill was stabilized on both sides with heavy rock. There is no erosion or sedimentation going into the river. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 5 - New Bridge
Page 9
Site 6 and 7 The Deer Lake Thinning Sale was on a 610 acre slash pine plantation. This site had a new low water rock crossing installed. It replaced an old culvert crossing. The crossing was on a wetland flow-way that flows into Burnt Grocery Creek. There were three streams located on this site that had timber harvesting completed on one side of each stream. Harvesting did not get close to any of the streams SMZ’s. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 6 - Deer Lake Thinning
Site 7 - New Rock Crossing Page 10
CARY STATE FOREST Sites 1, 2, and 3 These operations consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 14 acre uplands site which was chopped, prescribed burned, and hand planted with longleaf pine. Site 2 was a 71 acre upland site which was aerially treated with herbicide and hand planted with longleaf pine. Site 3 was a 70 acre uplands site which was aerially treated with herbicide, prescribed burned, and hand planted with longleaf pine. All sites had adjacent wetlands and Site 2 was located near Thomas Creek. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Site 2 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Site 3 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Page 11
Sites 4 and 5 These operations consisted of timber sales. Site 4 was a 328 acre thinning on a flatwoods loblolly pine plantation with interior and adjacent wetlands. Site 5 was a 145 acre thinning of natural mixed pine and planted slash pine with interior and adjacent wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 4 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Site 5 – Slash Plantation Thinning
Page 12
ETONIAH CREEK STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation consisted of a timber sale. Site 1 was a 17 acre salvage harvest of natural flatwoods including one small isolated bay head. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Salvage Harvest
Page 13
Site 2 This operation consisted of the installation of a low-water hard-surfaced stream crossing. The crossing was installed on an unnamed perennial stream by the state road crew, with postinstallation site clean-up by local personnel. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 – Low-Water Hard-Surfaced Stream Crossing
Page 14
FOUR CREEKS STATE FOREST Sites 1 through 5 These operations consisted of timber sales. Site 1 was a 168 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine with an unnamed intermittent stream adjacent to the harvest area. Site 2 was a 189 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine with a canal located adjacent to the harvest area. Site 3 was a 255 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine. Alligator Creek and an unnamed perennial stream were both located adjacent to the harvest area. Site 4 was a 556 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine with an unnamed modified intermittent stream located adjacent to the harvest area. Site 5 was a 126 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine. Nearby waterbodies included Thomas Creek, an unnamed perennial stream, and an unnamed modified intermittent stream. Some of the plantation was located within the Primary Zone of Thomas Creek and was selectively thinned for the purpose of wildlife habitat enhancement. All sites were located in pine flatwoods with adjacent and interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Site 3 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Site 4 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Site 5 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Page 15
Site 6 This operation consisted of various road improvements. Improvements included the upgrade of portions of Campground Road and Five Mile Road from at-grade roads to above-grade roads with ditches and cross-drain culvert installations. Portions of the upgraded roads were located adjacent to wetland areas. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 6 – Cross-Drain Culvert
Page 16
LAKE GEORGE STATE FOREST Site 1 Site 1 consisted of 5 acres of flatwoods which were hand planted with longleaf pine. The plantings occurred on small openings in a young longleaf plantation. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Longleaf Pine Hand Planting
Page 17
Site 2 This operation consisted of a timber sale on plantation flatwoods. Site 2 was a 215 acre thinning with adjacent and interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 – Slash Pine Plantation Thinning
Page 18
GOETHE STATE FOREST Sites 1 through 14 These operations consisted of salvage harvesting activities. Sites 1 through 12 had adjacent and/or interior wetlands. Site 1 was a 292 acre salvage harvest of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of clear-cutting and seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 2 was a 35 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of selective and seed tree thinning. Site 3 was a 751 acre salvage harvest of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of clear-cutting, selective thinning, and seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 4 was a 9 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of a selective thinning. Site 5 was an 85 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of clear-cutting, selective thinning, and seed tree thinning. Site 6 was an 87 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of a seed tree thinning. Site 7 was a 37 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of selective and seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 8 was a 1,317 acre salvage harvest of planted pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of clear-cutting, selective thinning and seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 9 was a 125 acre salvage harvest of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of a seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 10 was a 107 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of a seed tree thinning. Site 11 was a 21 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods which also included 85 acres of non-salvage thinning. Site 12 consisted of a second salvage harvest on 155 acres of standing dead timber located on selected areas of Sites 3 and 8. Site 13 was a 46 acre salvage harvest of a cypress dominated wetland. Harvesting activities consisted of a clear-cut with cypress leave trees. Site 14 was an 18 acre clear-cut operation around an existing borrow pit to improve helicopter access as an emergency wildfire suppression dip site. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Pine Plantation Salvage
Site 2 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Page 19
Site 3 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 4 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 5 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 6 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 7 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 8 – Pine Plantation Salvage
Page 20
Site 9 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 11 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 13 – Cypress Wetland Salvage
Site 10 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 12 – Second Salvage on Dead Timber
Site 14 – Emergency Dip Site Clear-Cut
Page 21
Sites 15 through 19 These operations consisted of timber sales with adjacent and/or interior wetlands. Site 15 was a 123 acre thinning of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 16 was a 90 acre thinning of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 17 was a 21 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 18 was a 225 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 19 was a 290 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 15 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 16 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 17 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 18 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 19 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning Page 22
Sites 20 and 21 These operations consisted of various road work projects. Site 20 involved the replacement of an existing low-water hard-surfaced crossing on an unnamed intermittent stream with two culverts by local personnel. Site 21 involved the installation of several culverts on an existing wetland crossing on North Prong Road by the state road crew. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to these operations.
Site 20 – Culverted Stream Crossing
Site 21 – Culverted Wetland Crossing
Page 23
JENNINGS STATE FOREST Sites 1 through 4 These operations consisted of timber sales. Site 1 was a 112 acre thinning of planted slash and loblolly pine with adjacent wetlands. Yellow Water Creek and an unnamed intermittent stream were located adjacent to the site. Site 2 was a 250 acre harvest of planted slash pine with adjacent and interior wetlands. One hundred twenty-five acres were clear-cut, 25 acres of which were treated with an aerial application of herbicide following the harvest, and 125 acres were thinned. Sal Taylor Creek and four unnamed intermittent streams were located adjacent to the site. Site 3 was a 253 acre salvage harvest of natural pine flatwoods with adjacent and interior wetlands. Harvesting activities consisted of seed tree thinning and clearcuts. Big Branch, an OFW intermittent stream, was located adjacent to the harvest area. Site 4 was a 49 acre sand pine clearcut on an old sandhill plantation. Natural slash and longleaf pines were left uncut. An unnamed OFW intermittent stream and an unnamed OFW perennial stream were located adjacent to the plantation. The site was thinned within the Primary Zone of the perennial stream for the purpose of ecological restoration. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Plantation Thinning
Site 3 – Salvage Harvest
Site 2 – Plantation Clearcut
Site 4 – Sand Pine Clearcut Page 24
JOHN M. BETHEA STATE FOREST Sites 1 and 2 These operations consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was 255 acres of flatwoods which were chopped, treated with herbicide, and machine planted with longleaf pine. Site 2 was 70 acres of flatwoods which were chopped, treated with herbicide, and hand planted with slash pine. Both sites had adjacent and interior wetlands. Site 1 was adjacent to Cross Branch and the North Prong of the St. Mary’s River. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Longleaf Machine Planting
Site 2 – Slash Pine Hand Planting
Page 25
Sites 3 through 5 These operations consisted of the emergency replacements of three bridges with culverted wetland crossings by the state road crew. Site 3 was located on Forest Road 9 and crossed the Pinhook Swamp. Sites 4 and 5 were both located on Forest Road 5 and crossed the Little River Bay swamp. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 3 – Culverted Wetland Crossing
Site 4 – Culverted Wetland Crossing
Site 5 – Culverted Wetland Crossing
Page 26
MATANZAS STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation was a 387 acre thinning on plantation slash pine. Site 1 had a modified intermittent stream adjacent to it as well as interior and adjacent wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Plantation Slash Thinning
Page 27
Sites 2, 3, and 4 These operations consisted of the installation of culverted wetland crossings on existing abovegrade forest roads by the state road crew. Two of the sites were new installations and one was a replacement. Site 2 was located on Evans Grade. Site 3 was located on Smith Grade. Site 4 was located on Trail 7. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 2 – Evans Grade Wetland Crossing
Site 3 – Smith Grade Wetland Crossing
Site 4 – Trail 7 Wetland Crossing
Page 28
MYAKKA STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation was a 62 acre hand planting of south Florida slash pine. Site-preparation activities were limited to 12 acres and consisted of drum chopping. Site 1 had adjacent and interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – South Florida Slash Pine Hand Planting
Page 29
OKALOACOOCHEE SLOUGH STATE FOREST Sites 1 and 2 Site 1 was a site preparation drum chop on a 130 acre flatwoods site. The site has not yet been planted. The site had interior and adjacent wetlands. Site 2 was a 111 acre mowing operation and prescribed burn to release planted south Florida slash pines. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Site Preparation Chopping
Site 2 – South Florida Slash Pine Release
Page 30
Site 3 This operation consisted of the installation of a culverted crossing on Patterson Road where it crosses the canal adjacent to County Road 832. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to this operation.
Site 3 – Culverted Canal Crossing
Page 31
PINE LOG STATE FOREST Site 1 The Check Station Timber Sale consisted of a select thinning for timber stand improvement on 102 acres. The site had two SMZ’s boardering Pine Log Creek and Little Crooked Creek. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site - 1 Check Station Thinning
Page 32
POINT WASHINGTON STATE FOREST Site 1 This site was a biomass harvest on 250 acres. It was done to remove all the shrubs and smaller diameter trees in order to improve access and get it back on a prescribed burn schedule. All woody biomass was chipped on site. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to this operation.
Site 1 - Biomass Harvest
Page 33
Sites 2, 3, and 4 There were 3 sites that were evaluated for site preparation. Drum chopping was completed on all three sites by PWSF Forest Rangers. Site 2 was the Doodles Forest Road chopping project consisting of 126 acres. Bowman Bayou is also located on this site off of the Choctawhatchee Bay. There was an SMZ on the bayou from the timber harvest completed a few years ago. The drum chopping was done perpendicular to the bayou. There was an existing low water hard surface crossing on a forest road crossing Bowman Bayou. This site is scheduled to be planted. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation. Site 3 was a 47 acre Road 28 chopping project. There was an isolated wetland located on this site. This site is also scheduled to be planted. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation. Site 4 was an 11 acre Road 43 chopping project. This site was part of the biomass harvest that was chopped several months after the harvest. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 - Doodles Road Chopping
Site 3 - Road 28 Chopping
Site 4 - Road 43 Chopping
Page 34
SEMINOLE STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 300 acre flatwoods site which was drum chopped, prescribed burned, and v-blade planted with longleaf and slash pine. The site had adjacent and interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Longleaf and Slash Pine V-Blade Planting
Page 35
Site 2 This operation consisted of the installation of a hard surface low water wetland crossing by the FFS road crew. Site 2 was located on the Sod Road Service Extension. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 – Hard Surface Low Water Wetland Crossing
Page 36
LAKE TALQUIN STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation was the replacement of an existing culvert and well armored with large rock for erosion control. The installation was performed according to state forest road crew specifications and stabilized properly.
Site 1 – Culvert Replacement
Page 37
Sites 2, 3, 4, and 5 Sites 2, 3, 4, and 5 were part of the 2012 aerial herbicide (Imazapyr-Arsenal/Chopper) Project 2. Site 2 was 48 acres and had three methods of site prep work performed: herbicide, drum chopping, and broadcast burning. It also had a conventional fireline plowed around the perimeter of the tract. Site 3 was 15 acres and had the aerial pre-plant herbicide treatment completed and is scheduled to be chopped and burned in the future. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance on site 3 related to this operation. Site 4 was a 28 acre herbicide treatment with an intermittent stream and stringer. There was also a 25 foot buffer added on to the stringer that had no herbicide applied. A small section of this site bordered Double Branch Creek. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance on site 4 related to this operation. Site 5 was also part of Project 2 and was 13.5 acres. This site is planned to be chopped and burned in the future. It had an SMZ bordering a small section of Double Branch Creek. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance on site 5 related to this operation.
Site 2 - Herbicide/Chop/Burn
Site 3 - Herbicide
Site 4 - Herbicide with Stringer
Page 38
Site 5 Double Branch Timber Sale was a 115 acre thinning of a natural loblolly pine stand completed in January 2011. This site bordered Double Branch Creek which is a second order stream and had the proper SMZ applied. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 5 - Double Branch Thinning
Page 39
Site 6 This site was an upland site that the FFS is managing on Lake Talquin State Forest for the Florida Department of Corrections as a Wetland Credit Offset Project. There were two tracts that had an aerial herbicide application. The tracts bordered the Little River and Monroe Creek. No herbicide drift was observed in the SMZ. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance on related to this operation.
Site 6 – Department of Corrections Wetland Credit Offset Project
Page 40
TATE’S HELL STATE FOREST Site 1 The Caiman Timber Sale - New River Tract was a 1,540 acre planted slash pine thinning. Row thinning was completed with a method of cutting 2 rows and leaving 4 rows with selection. There were 49 log landings on this tract with access over road side ditches on most of them. All ditches were cleaned out and log landings/loading ramps were clean. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 - Caiman Timber Sale - New River Tract Thinning
Page 41
Site 2 The Flicker Timber Sale - Whisky George Tract was a 1,794 acre planted slash pine thinning. Row thinning was completed with a method of cutting 2 rows and leaving 4 rows with selection. Hog Branch, an intermittent stream is located on the northwest portion of the tract and dissipates into a flow way. The site also had Red Cockaded Woodpecker clusters located on portions of the tract. There was also a low-water hard surface crossing at Hog Branch. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 - Flicker Timber Sale - Whiskey George Thinning
Page 42
Site 3 The Mud Dawg Timber Sale - Sumatra Tract was a 732 acre slash pine plantation thinning. This site was a third row thinning operation. The north end of tract bordered the New River and had an un-named stream flowing through it. Both streams had proper SMZ’s. The unnamed stream had an old road crossing which was not used in the harvesting operation. The harvest unit contained isolated wetlands that were undisturbed by the logger. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 3 - Mud Dawg Timber Sale - Sumatra Tract Thinning
Page 43
Site 4 The Blue Tick Timber Sale - Juniper Creek Tract was a 2,284 acre planted slash pine thinning. This site was a third row thinning operation. The west and south portions of the tract bordered the New River. Juniper Creek also flows through the East end of the tract. There were no stream crossings and the loggers stayed out of the wetland areas. There was a small wildfire near the northwest portion of the tract after the harvesting operation. A few existing low-water hard surface crossings were also observed. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 4 - Blue Tick Timber Sale – Juniper Creek Rock Crossing
Site 4 – Blue Tick Timber Sale - Juniper Creek Thinning Page 44
Site 5 The Osceola Timber Sale was a 799 acre slash pine plantation thinning. Some of the forest roads were improved for access and one forest road was shut down due to erosion problems. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 5 - Osceola Timber Thinning
Page 45
TWIN RIVERS STATE FOREST Sites 1, 2, and 3 These operations consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 54 acre sandhill which was treated aerially with herbicide, prescribed burned, and v-blade planted with longleaf pine. The site has several dry sinkholes located on it. Site 2 was a 68 acre sandhill which was prescribed burned, treated aerially with herbicide, and v-blade planted with longleaf pine. The site is located adjacent to the Suwannee River, an Outstanding Florida Water. Site 3 was a 290 acre sandhill which was treated aerially with herbicide and v-blade planted with longleaf pine. The site is located adjacent to the Withlacoochee River and has several dry sinkholes located on it. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Longleaf V-Blade Planting
Site 2 – Longleaf V-Blade Planting
Site 3 – Longleaf V-Blade Planting
Page 46
Sites 4 through 7 These operations consisted of timber sales. Site 4 was a 12 acre salvage clearcut of multiple pine beetle spots on a natural mixed pine sandhill. The site also has multiple dry sinkholes present. Site 5 was a 110 acre clearcut of planted slash pine. Site 6, located adjacent to the Withlacoochee River was a 183 acre harvest of planted slash pine with several dry sinkholes as well as adjacent and interior wetlands. One hundred twenty-one acres were thinned and 62 acres were clear-cut. Some of the thinning occurred within the Primary Zone of the Withlacoochee River, but was for the purpose of ecological restoration. Site 7 was a 162 acre thinning of planted slash pine with interior and adjacent wetlands as well as some dry sinkholes. This site is located adjacent to the Suwannee River, an Outstanding Florida Water. The Primary Zone of the Suwannee River was included in the thinning for the purpose of ecological restoration. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 4 – Salvage Clearcut
Site 6 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 5 – Slash Clearcut
Site 7 – Slash Pine Thinning
Page 47
Site 8 This operation consisted of various road work funded by the Suwannee River Water Management District. The majority of the work was conducted by a SRWMD contractor on Loop Road. However, there was an existing at-grade wetland crossing which was armored with gravel by local FFS personnel on an unnamed service road which provides access from Loop Road to the nearby Suwannee River. The work on Loop Road included the capping of the atgrade two-trail with limerock, the armoring of several at-grade wetland crossings with gravel, and the installation of broad-base dips, turnouts, and settling basins to control existing erosion issues. There are several dry sinkholes located adjacent to Loop Road and the unnamed service road. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 8 – Loop Road Before Upgrade
Site 8 – Turnout and Settling Basin
Site 8 – Limerock Capping
Site 8 – Gravel Wetland Crossing
Page 48
WAKULLA STATE FOREST Site 1 The Caprock Timber Sale was a 172 acre planted slash pine thinning operation. There were three tracts within this timber sale. There were no SMZ’s on any of the tracts and no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 - Caprock Thinning
Page 49
Site 2 This site was a 114 acre longleaf pine planting. Site preparation consisted of drum chopping and broadcast burning conducted by FFS personnel. There was a forest road that went through this tract that was permanently closed and trees were planted throughout the road. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 - Longleaf Pine Planting
Site 2 - Road Closure
Page 50
LAKE WALES RIDGE STATE FOREST Site 1 Site 1 was a 454 acre thinning of planted north Florida slash pine on multiple blocks. Several blocks were located adjacent to Lake Arbuckle, an Outstanding Florida Water. One other block was located adjacent to two unnamed intermittent streams. There were also adjacent and interior wetlands in the harvest area. One harvest block was accessed via Tram Road. Tram Road is an above-grade fill road which crosses multiple wetlands. Long sections of the road have very large road ditches. Two cross-drain culverts under Tram Road were replaced after multiple storm events caused a blow-out prior to the timber harvest. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this culvert installation or the timber harvesting activities near Lake Arbuckle. In order to access the harvest block off of Tram Road, it was necessary to cross one of the large road ditches. To facilitate log truck access, additional fill material was added over an existing cross-drain culvert in the ditch. This fill material was not adequately stabilized which resulted in significant erosion. The lack of adequate stabilization was considered an instance of BMP noncompliance. Follow-up activities on the site included the removal of both the fill material and the culvert from the ditch.
North Florida Slash Pine Thinning
Tram Road Blow-Out
Erosion on Tram Road Ditch Culvert
Replacement Culverts on Blow-Out Page 51
WELAKA STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation consisted of site preparation and planting activities on two separate blocks. Both blocks were located on areas of poor survival in previously planted longleaf plantations. One block was 14.5 acres which was mowed and hand planted with longleaf pine. The second block was 9.5 acres which was chopped, prescribed burned, and hand planted with longleaf pine. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Longleaf Pine Hand Planting
Page 52
Site 2 This operation was a salvage harvest of an old longleaf pine plantation. Site 2 was a 22 acre clearcut with adjacent wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 – Salvage Clearcut
Page 53
WITHLACOOCHEE STATE FOREST Sites 1 through 12 These operations consisted of timber sales. Sites 1 through 9 were all flatwood sites with adjacent and interior wetlands. Site 1 was a 329 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 2 was a 306 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 3 was a 242 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 4 was a 119 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 5 was a 132 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods and planted slash pine. Site 6 was an 86 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine. Site 7 was a 158 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 8 was a 233 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 9 was a 109 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 10 was a 307 acre sandhill thinning on planted slash pine and natural longleaf pine. Site 11 was a 30 acre salvage harvest on a flatwoods slash pine plantation with adjacent wetlands. Site 12 was a 266 acre hardwood release harvest on a natural longleaf sandhill. Brush Sink, a perennial sinkhole, was located adjacent to the harvest area. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 2 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 3 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 4 – Slash Pine Thinning
Page 54
Site 5 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 6 – Loblolly Pine Thinning
Site 7 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 8 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 9 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 10 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 11 – Slash Pine Salvage
Site 12 – Longleaf Hardwood Release Page 55
2012
Florida Forest Service FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE & CONSUMER SERVICES
Forest Hydrology Section
Jeff Vowell Forest Hydrologist Tallahassee Roy Lima Watershed Forester Tallahassee Robin Holland Best Management Practices Forester Ocala Richard Cristan Best Management Practices Forester Panama City
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
BMP Activity Location Map Activity Report Summary
1
Table 1: BMP Implementation Summary
2
State Forest Narratives Belmore State Forest
3
Big Shoals State Forest
4
Blackwater River State Forest
5-10
Cary State Forest
11-12
Etoniah Creek State Forest
13-14
Four Creeks State Forest
15-16
Lake George State Forest
17-18
Goethe State Forest
19-23
Jennings State Forest
24
John M. Bethea State Forest
25-26
Matanzas State Forest
27-28
Myakka State Forest
29
Okaloacoochee Slough State Forest Pine Log State Forest Point Washington State Forest
30-31 32 33-34
Seminole State Forest
35-36
Lake Talquin State Forest
37-40
Tate's Hell State Forest
41-45
Twin Rivers State Forest
46-48
Wakulla State Forest
49-50
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
51
Welaka State Forest
52-53
Withlacoochee State Forest
54-55
ACTIVITY REPORT SUMMARY Florida’s Silviculture Best Management Practices (BMP) Program was established as a result of the 1972 Federal Clean Water Act. This statewide program is directed at controlling nonpoint source pollution associated with forestry operations through the use of BMPs. Under delegation by the Department of Environmental Protection’s State Water Quality Program, the Florida Forest Service is responsible for the development, implementation, and monitoring of BMPs in Florida. Since 1981, the Florida Forest Service has monitored forestry operations for compliance with BMPs by conducting biennial Surveys. The “Survey” consists of evaluating a random sample of forestry operations for compliance with all applicable BMPs. Forestry operations throughout the state meeting specific criteria on both public and private lands are eligible for the Survey. Given the potential for affecting the quantity and quality of the state’s water supply, it is imperative that forestry activities on State Forests be carried out in compliance with Florida’s silviculture Best Management Practices (BMPs). To that end, the Hydrology Section evaluated BMP compliance on all State Forests where silviculture activities were being conducted or had recently occurred. For the year 2012, twenty-three State Forests conducted some level of silvicultural activity where BMPs were applicable and implemented. These activities included timber harvesting, site preparation for tree planting, forest road construction, herbicide application, wet weather operations, stream crossings, fireline construction, and waste disposal. This report provides a summary of BMP compliance associated with those activities and includes evaluations of 1,515 practices on 104 individual forestry operations (sites) encompassing approximately 23,166 acres in 27 Florida counties. Of the total number of individual practices evaluated, 1,511 (99.7%) were found to be in compliance with BMPs. (See Table 1) For example, forest road BMPs were evaluated on 101 of the sites which involved existing road upgrades and installation of drainage structures such as culverts. Likewise, timber harvesting was evaluated on 65 sites with an overall compliance of 100%. Also, where timber harvesting was conducted the BMP forester noted whether the logger was recognized as a Florida Master Logger or similar recognition from another state – all of the harvested sites involved a Florida Master Logger. Finally, there were four instances of BMP non-compliance on three State Forests relating to forest roads, fireline construction, and waste disposal. The 2012 State Forest BMP Survey data is summarized in Table 1, followed by a brief narrative and photos for each State Forest included in the Survey. A state map showing the State Forests that were surveyed is also included as a reference.
Page 1
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE SILVICULTURE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
State Forest BMP Activity Report 2012 Table 1
IMPLEMENTATION SUMMARY COMPLIANCE BY CATEGORY
BMP CATEGORY
# "YES"
# "NO"
TOTAL (Y+N)
% "YES"
NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT RISKS
A. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT ZONES
34
248
0
248
100
0
B. WETLANDS
11
99
0
99
100
0
C. CANALS
4
13
0
13
100
0
D. SINKHOLES
7
20
0
20
100
0
101
317
2
319
99
0
F. STREAM CROSSINGS
7
52
0
52
100
0
G. TIMBER HARVESTING (Non-Wetlands)
65
236
0
236
100
0
H. SITE PREPARATION AND PLANTING
25
40
0
40
100
0
I. FIRELINE CONSTRUCTION
4
18
1
19
95
0
J. PESTICIDE and/or FERTILIZER USE
15
43
0
43
100
0
K. WASTE DISPOSAL
104
388
1
389
99
0
L. WET WEATHER OPERATIONS
5
7
0
7
100
0
M. EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
20
12
0
12
100
0
N. PUBLIC LANDS
101
18
0
18
100
0
1,511
4
1,515
E. FOREST ROADS
TOTALS
OVERALL COMPLIANCE (%)
0
99.7%
Page 2
BELMORE STATE FOREST Sites 1, 2, and 3 These operations consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 49 acre sandhill which was treated aerially with herbicide, chopped, and hand planted with longleaf pine. Site 2 was a 50 acre sandhill which was chopped and machine planted with longleaf pine. Site 3 was a 61 acre flatwoods site which was chopped, prescribed burned, partially harrowed, and machine planted with longleaf pine. Site 1 was adjacent to an unnamed intermittent stream and Site 3 had some interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Site 2 – Longleaf Machine Planting
Site 3 – Longleaf Machine Planting
Page 3
BIG SHOALS STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 35 acre flatwoods site which was treated aerially with herbicide, prescribed burned, and hand planted with longleaf pine. There were no waterbodies or wetlands adjacent to the treated area. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Page 4
BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST Site 1 This site was a lightwood/stump removal on 576 acres. It was conducted to help reduce the fuel in the understory and remove longleaf and slash pine stumps. Water diversion structures such as water bars and turnouts were installed along forest roads including low-water hard surface crossings where needed. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 - Lightwood/Stump Removal
Page 5
Site 2 The Blue Barnes Timber Sale was a first thinning on a sand pine plantation. This was an upland site on 252 acres. There were no waterways located on this tract and there were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 - Blue Barnes Timber Sale
Page 6
Site 3 East Ravines Timber Sale was a 581 acre thinning operation on a slash pine plantation. There were three waterways on this tract: Garnier Creek, Julian Mill Creek, and a small section of the thinning operation got within 300 feet of the Yellow River. Water turnouts were installed along the forest road to facilitate drainage during storm events. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 3 - East Ravines Timber Sale
Page 7
Site 4 This was a 749 acre site that was V-Blade planted with longleaf containerized seedlings. There was a BMP waste disposal concern observed on this site. Oil containers and a hydraulic fluid bucket were left on-site from the planting operation. There was no additional BMP non-compliance concerns related to this operation.
Site 4 – V-Blade Planting
Page 8
Site 5 A new bridge is being installed at Bryant Bridge Road. Fill was stabilized on both sides with heavy rock. There is no erosion or sedimentation going into the river. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 5 - New Bridge
Page 9
Site 6 and 7 The Deer Lake Thinning Sale was on a 610 acre slash pine plantation. This site had a new low water rock crossing installed. It replaced an old culvert crossing. The crossing was on a wetland flow-way that flows into Burnt Grocery Creek. There were three streams located on this site that had timber harvesting completed on one side of each stream. Harvesting did not get close to any of the streams SMZ’s. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 6 - Deer Lake Thinning
Site 7 - New Rock Crossing Page 10
CARY STATE FOREST Sites 1, 2, and 3 These operations consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 14 acre uplands site which was chopped, prescribed burned, and hand planted with longleaf pine. Site 2 was a 71 acre upland site which was aerially treated with herbicide and hand planted with longleaf pine. Site 3 was a 70 acre uplands site which was aerially treated with herbicide, prescribed burned, and hand planted with longleaf pine. All sites had adjacent wetlands and Site 2 was located near Thomas Creek. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Site 2 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Site 3 – Longleaf Hand Planting
Page 11
Sites 4 and 5 These operations consisted of timber sales. Site 4 was a 328 acre thinning on a flatwoods loblolly pine plantation with interior and adjacent wetlands. Site 5 was a 145 acre thinning of natural mixed pine and planted slash pine with interior and adjacent wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 4 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Site 5 – Slash Plantation Thinning
Page 12
ETONIAH CREEK STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation consisted of a timber sale. Site 1 was a 17 acre salvage harvest of natural flatwoods including one small isolated bay head. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Salvage Harvest
Page 13
Site 2 This operation consisted of the installation of a low-water hard-surfaced stream crossing. The crossing was installed on an unnamed perennial stream by the state road crew, with postinstallation site clean-up by local personnel. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 – Low-Water Hard-Surfaced Stream Crossing
Page 14
FOUR CREEKS STATE FOREST Sites 1 through 5 These operations consisted of timber sales. Site 1 was a 168 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine with an unnamed intermittent stream adjacent to the harvest area. Site 2 was a 189 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine with a canal located adjacent to the harvest area. Site 3 was a 255 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine. Alligator Creek and an unnamed perennial stream were both located adjacent to the harvest area. Site 4 was a 556 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine with an unnamed modified intermittent stream located adjacent to the harvest area. Site 5 was a 126 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine. Nearby waterbodies included Thomas Creek, an unnamed perennial stream, and an unnamed modified intermittent stream. Some of the plantation was located within the Primary Zone of Thomas Creek and was selectively thinned for the purpose of wildlife habitat enhancement. All sites were located in pine flatwoods with adjacent and interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Site 3 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Site 4 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Site 5 – Loblolly Plantation Thinning
Page 15
Site 6 This operation consisted of various road improvements. Improvements included the upgrade of portions of Campground Road and Five Mile Road from at-grade roads to above-grade roads with ditches and cross-drain culvert installations. Portions of the upgraded roads were located adjacent to wetland areas. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 6 – Cross-Drain Culvert
Page 16
LAKE GEORGE STATE FOREST Site 1 Site 1 consisted of 5 acres of flatwoods which were hand planted with longleaf pine. The plantings occurred on small openings in a young longleaf plantation. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Longleaf Pine Hand Planting
Page 17
Site 2 This operation consisted of a timber sale on plantation flatwoods. Site 2 was a 215 acre thinning with adjacent and interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 – Slash Pine Plantation Thinning
Page 18
GOETHE STATE FOREST Sites 1 through 14 These operations consisted of salvage harvesting activities. Sites 1 through 12 had adjacent and/or interior wetlands. Site 1 was a 292 acre salvage harvest of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of clear-cutting and seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 2 was a 35 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of selective and seed tree thinning. Site 3 was a 751 acre salvage harvest of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of clear-cutting, selective thinning, and seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 4 was a 9 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of a selective thinning. Site 5 was an 85 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of clear-cutting, selective thinning, and seed tree thinning. Site 6 was an 87 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of a seed tree thinning. Site 7 was a 37 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of selective and seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 8 was a 1,317 acre salvage harvest of planted pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of clear-cutting, selective thinning and seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 9 was a 125 acre salvage harvest of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of a seed tree thinning. Some areas of cypress were selectively salvaged within the burned wetlands. Site 10 was a 107 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Harvesting activities consisted of a seed tree thinning. Site 11 was a 21 acre salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods which also included 85 acres of non-salvage thinning. Site 12 consisted of a second salvage harvest on 155 acres of standing dead timber located on selected areas of Sites 3 and 8. Site 13 was a 46 acre salvage harvest of a cypress dominated wetland. Harvesting activities consisted of a clear-cut with cypress leave trees. Site 14 was an 18 acre clear-cut operation around an existing borrow pit to improve helicopter access as an emergency wildfire suppression dip site. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Pine Plantation Salvage
Site 2 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Page 19
Site 3 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 4 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 5 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 6 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 7 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 8 – Pine Plantation Salvage
Page 20
Site 9 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 11 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 13 – Cypress Wetland Salvage
Site 10 – Natural Mixed Pine Salvage
Site 12 – Second Salvage on Dead Timber
Site 14 – Emergency Dip Site Clear-Cut
Page 21
Sites 15 through 19 These operations consisted of timber sales with adjacent and/or interior wetlands. Site 15 was a 123 acre thinning of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 16 was a 90 acre thinning of planted and natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 17 was a 21 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 18 was a 225 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 19 was a 290 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 15 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 16 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 17 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 18 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 19 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning Page 22
Sites 20 and 21 These operations consisted of various road work projects. Site 20 involved the replacement of an existing low-water hard-surfaced crossing on an unnamed intermittent stream with two culverts by local personnel. Site 21 involved the installation of several culverts on an existing wetland crossing on North Prong Road by the state road crew. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to these operations.
Site 20 – Culverted Stream Crossing
Site 21 – Culverted Wetland Crossing
Page 23
JENNINGS STATE FOREST Sites 1 through 4 These operations consisted of timber sales. Site 1 was a 112 acre thinning of planted slash and loblolly pine with adjacent wetlands. Yellow Water Creek and an unnamed intermittent stream were located adjacent to the site. Site 2 was a 250 acre harvest of planted slash pine with adjacent and interior wetlands. One hundred twenty-five acres were clear-cut, 25 acres of which were treated with an aerial application of herbicide following the harvest, and 125 acres were thinned. Sal Taylor Creek and four unnamed intermittent streams were located adjacent to the site. Site 3 was a 253 acre salvage harvest of natural pine flatwoods with adjacent and interior wetlands. Harvesting activities consisted of seed tree thinning and clearcuts. Big Branch, an OFW intermittent stream, was located adjacent to the harvest area. Site 4 was a 49 acre sand pine clearcut on an old sandhill plantation. Natural slash and longleaf pines were left uncut. An unnamed OFW intermittent stream and an unnamed OFW perennial stream were located adjacent to the plantation. The site was thinned within the Primary Zone of the perennial stream for the purpose of ecological restoration. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Plantation Thinning
Site 3 – Salvage Harvest
Site 2 – Plantation Clearcut
Site 4 – Sand Pine Clearcut Page 24
JOHN M. BETHEA STATE FOREST Sites 1 and 2 These operations consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was 255 acres of flatwoods which were chopped, treated with herbicide, and machine planted with longleaf pine. Site 2 was 70 acres of flatwoods which were chopped, treated with herbicide, and hand planted with slash pine. Both sites had adjacent and interior wetlands. Site 1 was adjacent to Cross Branch and the North Prong of the St. Mary’s River. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Longleaf Machine Planting
Site 2 – Slash Pine Hand Planting
Page 25
Sites 3 through 5 These operations consisted of the emergency replacements of three bridges with culverted wetland crossings by the state road crew. Site 3 was located on Forest Road 9 and crossed the Pinhook Swamp. Sites 4 and 5 were both located on Forest Road 5 and crossed the Little River Bay swamp. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 3 – Culverted Wetland Crossing
Site 4 – Culverted Wetland Crossing
Site 5 – Culverted Wetland Crossing
Page 26
MATANZAS STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation was a 387 acre thinning on plantation slash pine. Site 1 had a modified intermittent stream adjacent to it as well as interior and adjacent wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Plantation Slash Thinning
Page 27
Sites 2, 3, and 4 These operations consisted of the installation of culverted wetland crossings on existing abovegrade forest roads by the state road crew. Two of the sites were new installations and one was a replacement. Site 2 was located on Evans Grade. Site 3 was located on Smith Grade. Site 4 was located on Trail 7. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 2 – Evans Grade Wetland Crossing
Site 3 – Smith Grade Wetland Crossing
Site 4 – Trail 7 Wetland Crossing
Page 28
MYAKKA STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation was a 62 acre hand planting of south Florida slash pine. Site-preparation activities were limited to 12 acres and consisted of drum chopping. Site 1 had adjacent and interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – South Florida Slash Pine Hand Planting
Page 29
OKALOACOOCHEE SLOUGH STATE FOREST Sites 1 and 2 Site 1 was a site preparation drum chop on a 130 acre flatwoods site. The site has not yet been planted. The site had interior and adjacent wetlands. Site 2 was a 111 acre mowing operation and prescribed burn to release planted south Florida slash pines. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Site Preparation Chopping
Site 2 – South Florida Slash Pine Release
Page 30
Site 3 This operation consisted of the installation of a culverted crossing on Patterson Road where it crosses the canal adjacent to County Road 832. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to this operation.
Site 3 – Culverted Canal Crossing
Page 31
PINE LOG STATE FOREST Site 1 The Check Station Timber Sale consisted of a select thinning for timber stand improvement on 102 acres. The site had two SMZ’s boardering Pine Log Creek and Little Crooked Creek. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site - 1 Check Station Thinning
Page 32
POINT WASHINGTON STATE FOREST Site 1 This site was a biomass harvest on 250 acres. It was done to remove all the shrubs and smaller diameter trees in order to improve access and get it back on a prescribed burn schedule. All woody biomass was chipped on site. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance related to this operation.
Site 1 - Biomass Harvest
Page 33
Sites 2, 3, and 4 There were 3 sites that were evaluated for site preparation. Drum chopping was completed on all three sites by PWSF Forest Rangers. Site 2 was the Doodles Forest Road chopping project consisting of 126 acres. Bowman Bayou is also located on this site off of the Choctawhatchee Bay. There was an SMZ on the bayou from the timber harvest completed a few years ago. The drum chopping was done perpendicular to the bayou. There was an existing low water hard surface crossing on a forest road crossing Bowman Bayou. This site is scheduled to be planted. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation. Site 3 was a 47 acre Road 28 chopping project. There was an isolated wetland located on this site. This site is also scheduled to be planted. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation. Site 4 was an 11 acre Road 43 chopping project. This site was part of the biomass harvest that was chopped several months after the harvest. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 - Doodles Road Chopping
Site 3 - Road 28 Chopping
Site 4 - Road 43 Chopping
Page 34
SEMINOLE STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 300 acre flatwoods site which was drum chopped, prescribed burned, and v-blade planted with longleaf and slash pine. The site had adjacent and interior wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Longleaf and Slash Pine V-Blade Planting
Page 35
Site 2 This operation consisted of the installation of a hard surface low water wetland crossing by the FFS road crew. Site 2 was located on the Sod Road Service Extension. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 – Hard Surface Low Water Wetland Crossing
Page 36
LAKE TALQUIN STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation was the replacement of an existing culvert and well armored with large rock for erosion control. The installation was performed according to state forest road crew specifications and stabilized properly.
Site 1 – Culvert Replacement
Page 37
Sites 2, 3, 4, and 5 Sites 2, 3, 4, and 5 were part of the 2012 aerial herbicide (Imazapyr-Arsenal/Chopper) Project 2. Site 2 was 48 acres and had three methods of site prep work performed: herbicide, drum chopping, and broadcast burning. It also had a conventional fireline plowed around the perimeter of the tract. Site 3 was 15 acres and had the aerial pre-plant herbicide treatment completed and is scheduled to be chopped and burned in the future. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance on site 3 related to this operation. Site 4 was a 28 acre herbicide treatment with an intermittent stream and stringer. There was also a 25 foot buffer added on to the stringer that had no herbicide applied. A small section of this site bordered Double Branch Creek. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance on site 4 related to this operation. Site 5 was also part of Project 2 and was 13.5 acres. This site is planned to be chopped and burned in the future. It had an SMZ bordering a small section of Double Branch Creek. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance on site 5 related to this operation.
Site 2 - Herbicide/Chop/Burn
Site 3 - Herbicide
Site 4 - Herbicide with Stringer
Page 38
Site 5 Double Branch Timber Sale was a 115 acre thinning of a natural loblolly pine stand completed in January 2011. This site bordered Double Branch Creek which is a second order stream and had the proper SMZ applied. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 5 - Double Branch Thinning
Page 39
Site 6 This site was an upland site that the FFS is managing on Lake Talquin State Forest for the Florida Department of Corrections as a Wetland Credit Offset Project. There were two tracts that had an aerial herbicide application. The tracts bordered the Little River and Monroe Creek. No herbicide drift was observed in the SMZ. There were no instances of BMP noncompliance on related to this operation.
Site 6 – Department of Corrections Wetland Credit Offset Project
Page 40
TATE’S HELL STATE FOREST Site 1 The Caiman Timber Sale - New River Tract was a 1,540 acre planted slash pine thinning. Row thinning was completed with a method of cutting 2 rows and leaving 4 rows with selection. There were 49 log landings on this tract with access over road side ditches on most of them. All ditches were cleaned out and log landings/loading ramps were clean. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 - Caiman Timber Sale - New River Tract Thinning
Page 41
Site 2 The Flicker Timber Sale - Whisky George Tract was a 1,794 acre planted slash pine thinning. Row thinning was completed with a method of cutting 2 rows and leaving 4 rows with selection. Hog Branch, an intermittent stream is located on the northwest portion of the tract and dissipates into a flow way. The site also had Red Cockaded Woodpecker clusters located on portions of the tract. There was also a low-water hard surface crossing at Hog Branch. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 - Flicker Timber Sale - Whiskey George Thinning
Page 42
Site 3 The Mud Dawg Timber Sale - Sumatra Tract was a 732 acre slash pine plantation thinning. This site was a third row thinning operation. The north end of tract bordered the New River and had an un-named stream flowing through it. Both streams had proper SMZ’s. The unnamed stream had an old road crossing which was not used in the harvesting operation. The harvest unit contained isolated wetlands that were undisturbed by the logger. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 3 - Mud Dawg Timber Sale - Sumatra Tract Thinning
Page 43
Site 4 The Blue Tick Timber Sale - Juniper Creek Tract was a 2,284 acre planted slash pine thinning. This site was a third row thinning operation. The west and south portions of the tract bordered the New River. Juniper Creek also flows through the East end of the tract. There were no stream crossings and the loggers stayed out of the wetland areas. There was a small wildfire near the northwest portion of the tract after the harvesting operation. A few existing low-water hard surface crossings were also observed. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 4 - Blue Tick Timber Sale – Juniper Creek Rock Crossing
Site 4 – Blue Tick Timber Sale - Juniper Creek Thinning Page 44
Site 5 The Osceola Timber Sale was a 799 acre slash pine plantation thinning. Some of the forest roads were improved for access and one forest road was shut down due to erosion problems. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 5 - Osceola Timber Thinning
Page 45
TWIN RIVERS STATE FOREST Sites 1, 2, and 3 These operations consisted of site preparation and planting activities. Site 1 was a 54 acre sandhill which was treated aerially with herbicide, prescribed burned, and v-blade planted with longleaf pine. The site has several dry sinkholes located on it. Site 2 was a 68 acre sandhill which was prescribed burned, treated aerially with herbicide, and v-blade planted with longleaf pine. The site is located adjacent to the Suwannee River, an Outstanding Florida Water. Site 3 was a 290 acre sandhill which was treated aerially with herbicide and v-blade planted with longleaf pine. The site is located adjacent to the Withlacoochee River and has several dry sinkholes located on it. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Longleaf V-Blade Planting
Site 2 – Longleaf V-Blade Planting
Site 3 – Longleaf V-Blade Planting
Page 46
Sites 4 through 7 These operations consisted of timber sales. Site 4 was a 12 acre salvage clearcut of multiple pine beetle spots on a natural mixed pine sandhill. The site also has multiple dry sinkholes present. Site 5 was a 110 acre clearcut of planted slash pine. Site 6, located adjacent to the Withlacoochee River was a 183 acre harvest of planted slash pine with several dry sinkholes as well as adjacent and interior wetlands. One hundred twenty-one acres were thinned and 62 acres were clear-cut. Some of the thinning occurred within the Primary Zone of the Withlacoochee River, but was for the purpose of ecological restoration. Site 7 was a 162 acre thinning of planted slash pine with interior and adjacent wetlands as well as some dry sinkholes. This site is located adjacent to the Suwannee River, an Outstanding Florida Water. The Primary Zone of the Suwannee River was included in the thinning for the purpose of ecological restoration. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 4 – Salvage Clearcut
Site 6 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 5 – Slash Clearcut
Site 7 – Slash Pine Thinning
Page 47
Site 8 This operation consisted of various road work funded by the Suwannee River Water Management District. The majority of the work was conducted by a SRWMD contractor on Loop Road. However, there was an existing at-grade wetland crossing which was armored with gravel by local FFS personnel on an unnamed service road which provides access from Loop Road to the nearby Suwannee River. The work on Loop Road included the capping of the atgrade two-trail with limerock, the armoring of several at-grade wetland crossings with gravel, and the installation of broad-base dips, turnouts, and settling basins to control existing erosion issues. There are several dry sinkholes located adjacent to Loop Road and the unnamed service road. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 8 – Loop Road Before Upgrade
Site 8 – Turnout and Settling Basin
Site 8 – Limerock Capping
Site 8 – Gravel Wetland Crossing
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WAKULLA STATE FOREST Site 1 The Caprock Timber Sale was a 172 acre planted slash pine thinning operation. There were three tracts within this timber sale. There were no SMZ’s on any of the tracts and no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 - Caprock Thinning
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Site 2 This site was a 114 acre longleaf pine planting. Site preparation consisted of drum chopping and broadcast burning conducted by FFS personnel. There was a forest road that went through this tract that was permanently closed and trees were planted throughout the road. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 - Longleaf Pine Planting
Site 2 - Road Closure
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LAKE WALES RIDGE STATE FOREST Site 1 Site 1 was a 454 acre thinning of planted north Florida slash pine on multiple blocks. Several blocks were located adjacent to Lake Arbuckle, an Outstanding Florida Water. One other block was located adjacent to two unnamed intermittent streams. There were also adjacent and interior wetlands in the harvest area. One harvest block was accessed via Tram Road. Tram Road is an above-grade fill road which crosses multiple wetlands. Long sections of the road have very large road ditches. Two cross-drain culverts under Tram Road were replaced after multiple storm events caused a blow-out prior to the timber harvest. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this culvert installation or the timber harvesting activities near Lake Arbuckle. In order to access the harvest block off of Tram Road, it was necessary to cross one of the large road ditches. To facilitate log truck access, additional fill material was added over an existing cross-drain culvert in the ditch. This fill material was not adequately stabilized which resulted in significant erosion. The lack of adequate stabilization was considered an instance of BMP noncompliance. Follow-up activities on the site included the removal of both the fill material and the culvert from the ditch.
North Florida Slash Pine Thinning
Tram Road Blow-Out
Erosion on Tram Road Ditch Culvert
Replacement Culverts on Blow-Out Page 51
WELAKA STATE FOREST Site 1 This operation consisted of site preparation and planting activities on two separate blocks. Both blocks were located on areas of poor survival in previously planted longleaf plantations. One block was 14.5 acres which was mowed and hand planted with longleaf pine. The second block was 9.5 acres which was chopped, prescribed burned, and hand planted with longleaf pine. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 1 – Longleaf Pine Hand Planting
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Site 2 This operation was a salvage harvest of an old longleaf pine plantation. Site 2 was a 22 acre clearcut with adjacent wetlands. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Site 2 – Salvage Clearcut
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WITHLACOOCHEE STATE FOREST Sites 1 through 12 These operations consisted of timber sales. Sites 1 through 9 were all flatwood sites with adjacent and interior wetlands. Site 1 was a 329 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 2 was a 306 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Site 3 was a 242 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 4 was a 119 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 5 was a 132 acre thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods and planted slash pine. Site 6 was an 86 acre thinning of planted loblolly pine. Site 7 was a 158 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 8 was a 233 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 9 was a 109 acre thinning of planted slash pine. Site 10 was a 307 acre sandhill thinning on planted slash pine and natural longleaf pine. Site 11 was a 30 acre salvage harvest on a flatwoods slash pine plantation with adjacent wetlands. Site 12 was a 266 acre hardwood release harvest on a natural longleaf sandhill. Brush Sink, a perennial sinkhole, was located adjacent to the harvest area. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to these operations.
Site 1 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 2 – Natural Mixed Pine Thinning
Site 3 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 4 – Slash Pine Thinning
Page 54
Site 5 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 6 – Loblolly Pine Thinning
Site 7 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 8 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 9 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 10 – Slash Pine Thinning
Site 11 – Slash Pine Salvage
Site 12 – Longleaf Hardwood Release Page 55
