state forest
Florida State Forest SILVICULTURE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES ACTIVITY REPORT
2014
Florida Forest Service Silviculture Best Management Practices Forest Hydrology
Jeff Vowell Forest Hydrologist Tallahassee Roy Lima Best Management Practices Forester Tallahassee Robin Holland Best Management Practices Forester Ocala
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
BMP Activity Location Map Activity Report Summary Table 1: BMP Implementation Summary
1-2 3
State Forest Narratives Belmore State Forest Big Shoals State Forest
4-7 8
Blackwater River State Forest
9-10
Carl Duval Moore State Forest
11
Cary State Forest
12-14
Etoniah Creek State Forest
15-17
Four Creeks State Forest
18-20
Goethe State Forest
21-28
Indian Lake State Forest
29-31
Jennings State Forest
32-36
John M. Bethea State Forest
37-38
Lake George State Forest
39-41
Lake Talquin State Forest
42-46
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
47-48
Little Big Econ State Forest Matanzas State Forest
49 50-52
Myakka State Forest
53
Pine Log State Forest
54-55
Point Washington State Forest
56-57
Ralph E. Simmons State Forest
58
Seminole State Forest
59-61
Tate's Hell State Forest
62-71
Tiger Bay State Forest
72-75
Twin Rivers State Forest
76-79
Wakulla State Forest
80-82
Withlacoochee State Forest
83-90
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 period 2012 through 2014, twenty-six 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 1,172 practices on 74 individual forestry operations (sites) encompassing approximately 14,839 acres in 25 Florida counties. Of the total number of individual practices evaluated, 1,172 (99.7%) were found to be in compliance with BMPs. (See Table 1) For example, forest road BMPs were evaluated on 71 of the sites which involved existing road upgrades and installation of drainage structures such as culverts. Likewise, site preparation and planting was evaluated on 16 sites with an overall compliance of 100%. The Special Management Zone BMP category showed a slight decrease in compliance since 2012 to 98.9%. The Waste Disposal category was almost unchanged from 99.0% in 2012 to 99.3% in 2014. All remaining BMP categories scored 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 SMZs and waste disposal.
1
The 2014 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.
2
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE SILVICULTURE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
State Forest BMP Activity Report 2014 Table 1
IMPLEMENTATION SUMMARY COMPLIANCE BY CATEGORY
BMP CATEGORY
# "YES"
# "NO"
TOTAL (Y+N)
% "YES"
A. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT ZONES
40
175
2
177
98.9%
B. WETLANDS
9
39
0
39
100%
C. CANALS
1
3
0
3
100%
D. SINKHOLES
5
15
0
15
100%
E. FOREST ROADS
71
289
0
289
100%
F. STREAM CROSSINGS
6
52
0
52
100%
G. TIMBER HARVESTING (Non-Wetlands)
51
202
0
202
100%
H. SITE PREPARATION AND PLANTING
16
28
0
28
100%
I. FIRELINE CONSTRUCTION
9
41
0
41
100%
J. PESTICIDE and/or FERTILIZER USE
7
19
0
19
100%
K. WASTE DISPOSAL
74
263
2
265
99.3%
L. WET WEATHER OPERATIONS
20
23
0
23
100%
M. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
6
7
0
7
100%
N. PUBLIC LANDS
74
12
0
12
100%
1,168
4
1,172
TOTALS
99.7%
OVERALL COMPLIANCE (%)
3
NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT RISKS
BELMORE STATE FOREST Site 1 Satsuma Longleaf V-Blade Planting The Satsuma Longleaf V-Blade Planting was a 62 acre sandhill planting which occurred in February 2013. The site preparation practices consisted of chopping, a prescribed burn, and a pre-plant herbicide using imazapyr. Water features located near the planting area included Bull Creek, two unnamed intermittent streams, and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf V-Blade Planting
4
BELMORE STATE FOREST Site 2 Slouch Hat Timber Sale The Slouch Hat Timber Sale was a 156 acre harvest which occurred from March to Fall 2013. The logging operation consisted of a slash pine plantation thinning in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area included two unnamed perennial streams less than 20 feet wide and adjacent wetlands. Log trucks used an existing culverted stream crossing to access the sale area. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
5
BELMORE STATE FOREST Site 3 Tower Road Tropical Storm Debbie Repairs The Tower Road Tropical Storm Debbie Repairs project occurred in 2013 and 2014. This project was to repair damage to Tower Road, a main access road for the Satsuma Tract, following the June 2012 tropical storm named Debbie. Road improvements included the installation of multiple turnouts, crushed concrete ditch plugs, and several settling basins. The existing stream crossing on Bull Creek was also upgraded by replacing the crossing’s culverts and installing multiple broad base dips and turnouts on the approaches to the crossing. The portion of Tower Road approaching Bull Creek was topped with slag to reduce the potential for erosion into Bull Creek. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Series of Crushed Concrete Ditch Blocks
Concrete Ditch Block and Turnout
6
BELMORE STATE FOREST Tower Road Tropical Storm Debbie Repairs Continued
Repaired Road and Road Ditch Turnout
Armored Settling Basin
Tower Road Stream Crossing on Bull Creek
Broad Base Dip and Turnout
Culverted Stream Crossing
7
BIG SHOALS STATE FOREST Site 1 Wild Turkey Timber Sale The Wild Turkey Timber Sale was a 107 acre harvest which occurred from June to October 2013. The logging operation consisted of a hardwood removal in natural mixed pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area included an intermittent stream named Four Mile Branch and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Hardwood Harvest to Release Pine Overstory
8
BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST Site 1 Ates Timber Sale The Ates Timber Sale consisted of 348 acres of planted loblolly pine that was thinned for the second time in 2006 by harvesting every third row. In 2014, the stand was selectively marked for another thinning. Large slash piles at the log landing have been a concern from a fire threat standpoint. The piles were originally scheduled to be chipped and mulched. Forest roads and stream crossings are maintained properly in accordance with Silviculture BMPs. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Log Landing and Slash Piles
Forest Roads Crowned and Water Turnouts Installed
9
BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST Ates Timber Sale Continued
Proper Placement of Rip Rap Helps Stabilize Fill Material at Stream Crossings
10
CARL DUVAL MOORE STATE FOREST Site 1 Longleaf V-Blade Planting The Carl Duval Moore Longleaf V-Blade Planting was a 23 acre sandhill planting which occurred in February 2013. The site preparation practices consisted of a hand application of hexazinone pellets followed by a prescribed burn. There were no known water features located near the planting area. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf V-Blade Planting
11
CARY STATE FOREST Site 1 Gator Splash Timber Sale The Gator Splash Timber Sale was a 106 acre harvest which occurred from January to February 2013. The logging operation consisted of a slash plantation seed tree harvest in pine flatwoods. A small isolated wetland was also harvested to remove the pine overstory and release the existing cypress midstory. Water features located near the harvest area included some interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Seed Tree Harvest
12
CARY STATE FOREST Site 2 Millionth Acre Timber Sale Duval County Portion The Millionth Acre Timber Sale Duval County Portion was a 223 acre harvest which occurred from May to Fall 2013. The logging operation primarily consisted of a slash pine plantation thinning in pine flatwoods. There was also a 9.3 acre clear-cut of some offsite planted loblolly on a sandhill. Water features located near the harvest area included some interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The original timber sale also included an area in Nassau County but harvesting operations had to be suspended due to wet weather and thus the Nassau County portion has not been cut yet. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Planted Loblolly Clear-Cut
Slash Plantation Thinning
Logging Ramp with Scattered Slash
13
CARY STATE FOREST Site 3 2013 Road Work Projects The Cary State Forest 2013 Road Work Projects were conducted in February 2013. Projects consisted of the installation or replacement of several wetland crossings by local personnel and the state road crew. There were two culverted wetland crossings on Frog Service Road, a culverted wetland crossing on Utility Service Road, and a new low-water hard-surfaced wetland crossing on Sand Service Road. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Culverted Wetland Crossings
14
ETONIAH CREEK STATE FOREST Site 1 Longleaf V-Blade Planting The Etoniah Creek State Forest Longleaf V-Blade Planting was a 182 acre planting which occurred in February 2013. The majority of the planting blocks were located on sandhill sites with a few located in pine flatwoods. The site preparation practices consisted of a pre-plant herbicide treatment followed by a prescribed burn. Seventy-nine acres were treated with a hand application of hexazinone pellets and 103 acres were aerially treated with imazapyr and triclopyr. Water features located near the planting area included an unnamed intermittent lake and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Hexazinone Treatment Area
Imazapyr and Triclopyr Treatment Area
15
ETONIAH CREEK STATE FOREST Site 2 Big Oaks Road Timber Sale The Big Oaks Road Timber Sale was a 172 acre harvest which occurred from December 2013 to February 2014. The logging operation consisted of a 147 acre block of natural sand pine scrub which was clear-cut of all sand pine leaving only widely scattered longleaf. There was also a 25 acre harvest block which was composed of natural mixed loblolly and slash pine flatwoods that was selectively thinned. Water features located near the harvest area included Etoniah Creek and Rice Creek. The portion of Etoniah Creek adjacent to the harvest area had been heavily modified historically and had a 10 feet tall spoil berm located between the harvest area and the stream bank. There were also wetlands located adjacent to the harvest area. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Clear-Cut of Natural Sand Pine Scrub Stand
Selectively Thinned Natural Mixed Loblolly and Slash Pine Flatwoods
16
ETONIAH CREEK STATE FOREST Site 3 North Cablegate Road West Timber Sale The North Cablegate Road West Timber Sale was an 85 acre harvest which occurred from June to September 2014. The logging operation consisted of a seed tree harvest on natural sandhill stand. All sand pine and small hardwoods were harvested leaving longleaf as seed trees. There were no known water features located near the harvest area. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf Seed Trees
Large Oaks Left Unharvested
Hay Stabilizing North Cablegate Road
17
FOUR CREEKS STATE FOREST Site 1 Stand 0311 Slash Hand Planting The Four Creeks State Forest Stand 0311 Slash Hand Planting was a 130 acre sandhill planting which occurred in January 2013. The site was replanted in January 2014. The original site preparation practices consisted of a pre-plant broadcast herbicide using imazapyr and a prescribed burn. No additional site prep was conducted prior to the replanting. Water features located near the planting area included interior isolated wetlands and an adjacent flowing wetland. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Slash Pine Replanting
18
FOUR CREEKS STATE FOREST Site 2 Cougar Timber Sale The Cougar Timber Sale was a 435 acre harvest which occurred from December 2012 to March 2013. The logging operation consisted of a thinning on planted slash and planted loblolly stands in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area included three unnamed intermittent streams, interior isolated wetlands, and adjacent wetlands. Log trucks used existing culverted stream crossings to access the sale area. Several critical areas of forest roads were stabilized for the harvest. One road stabilization project was the installation of a new cross-drain low-water hard-surface crossing using slag. This critical area was located where an old upland field ditch crossed Pine Straw Road. Some existing cross-drain culverts were also stabilized by adding slag as rip rap on the culvert openings. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
19
FOUR CREEKS STATE FOREST Site 3 Big Cat Ongoing Timber Sale The Big Cat Timber Sale is an ongoing harvest which was started in January 2014. Wet weather caused logging operations to be suspended after only 90% of the planned 125 acres was completed. The logging operation consists of a thinning of both planted slash and planted loblolly stands in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area include an unnamed intermittent stream, interior isolated wetlands, and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
20
GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 1 December 2012 Hand Planting The Goethe State Forest December 2012 Hand Planting was a 1,117 acre planting which followed the salvage harvest of stands burned in the 2011 wildfires. Most of the planting blocks were located on pine flatwoods sites. 1,062 acres were hand planted with longleaf pine and 55 acres were planted in slash. The site preparation practices varied for each planting block and were as follows: the slash site was chopped, approximately 322 acres of longleaf had no site prep conducted, the remaining 740 acres of longleaf where chopped with 110 acres of the chopped area having been stumped prior to chopping. The stumping project consisted of select stumps being dug up by an excavator for transport to a Pinova, Inc. rosin processing plant. Following the removal of the stumpwood, holes were filled with dirt scraped from the surrounding area. Several planting blocks were also prescribed burned prior to the December 2012 hand planting operation. Water features located near the planting area included interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf Planting Following Chopping
21
GOETHE STATE FOREST December 2012 Hand Planting Continued
Site Which Was Chopped and Rx Burned
Site Which Was Stumped and Chopped
Pinova, Inc. Stumpwood Harvesting
Top: Excavator Digging Stumps Right: Stump Hole after Being Refilled
22
GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 2 Tram Road Timber Sale The Tram Road Timber Sale was a 398 acre harvest which occurred from January to February 2013. The logging operation consisted of a thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Species harvested included slash pine, loblolly pine, and some longleaf pine. Water features located near the harvest area included interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Natural Pine Thinning
23
GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 3 December 2013 Longleaf Hand Planting The December 2013 Longleaf Hand Planting was a 525 acre operation which occurred primarily on pine flatwoods sties. All but one of the flatwoods blocks were chopped and most were prescribed burned prior to planting. One flatwoods block was actually an underplanting so no site preparation operations were conducted. There was also one planting block located on a sandhill site. The site preparation for this site consisted of prescribed burning. Water features located near the planting area included interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Flatwoods Planting Sites Which Were Site Prepared by Chopping
Underplanting Site
24
GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 4 First Dawn Timber Sale The First Dawn Timber Sale was a 54 acre harvest which occurred from August to September 2014. The logging operation consisted of row and selective thinning of planted longleaf on a sandhill site. Water features located near the harvest area consisted of adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
25
GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 5 Hidden Well Ongoing Timber Sale The Hidden Well Timber Sale is an ongoing harvest which was started in September 2013. Wet weather caused logging operations to be suspended in November 2013 after only 70% of the planned 275 acres was completed. The logging operation consists of a row and selective thinning of planted slash in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area consisted of adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
26
GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 6 Wekiva Tower Ongoing Timber Sale The Wekiva Tower Timber Sale is an ongoing harvest which was started in April 2014. Wet weather caused logging operations to be suspended in June 2014 after only 80% of the planned 240 acres was completed. The logging operation consists of a seed tree harvest of planted slash in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area include interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Seed Tree Harvest
Isolated Wetland Adjacent to the Harvest Area
27
GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 7 July 2014 Ongoing Salvage Harvest The Goethe State Forest July 2014 Salvage Harvest is an ongoing harvest which was started in September 2014 following a hot prescribed burn. The harvest is part of Goethe’s Forestwide 2013/14 Salvage Sale. Mill issues caused logging operations to be suspended after only 50% of the planned 84 acres was completed and wet weather has prevented operations from resuming. The logging operation consists of a salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Some areas were clear-cut, but most of the harvest was able to be selectively harvested with only the most damaged trees being removed. Water features located near the harvest area include interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed. .
Natural Pine Flatwoods Salvage
28
INDIAN LAKE STATE FOREST Site 1 Hollywood Re-Bid Timber Sale The Hollywood Re-Bid Timber Sale was a 180 acre harvest which occurred in February 2013. The logging operation consisted of a selective harvest of a natural mixed pine flatwoods site. The primary species harvested was slash pine. Water features located near the harvest area consisted of interior isolated wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Natural Pine Flatwoods Thinning
29
INDIAN LAKE STATE FOREST Site 2 February 2014 Longleaf Planting The Indian Lake State Forest February 2014 Longleaf Planting was a 500 acre planting on an old pasture site. Site preparation consisted of a pre-plant scalping followed by a machine planting. Water features located near the planting area included several dry sinkholes. One instance of Silviculture BMP non-compliance was observed during the BMP survey from tree boxes being left on-site following the completion of planting operations. All other forestry operations were conducted in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices.
Longleaf Machine Planting
Trash Left On-Site Following the Completion of Planting Operations 30
INDIAN LAKE STATE FOREST Site 3 Summer Longleaf Planting The Indian Lake State Forest Summer Longleaf Planting was a 180 acre longleaf planting which occurred in July 2014 on an old pasture site. Site preparation consisted of a pre-plant scalping followed by a machine planting. Water features located near the planting area included a dry sinkhole. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Summer Longleaf Machine Planting
31
JENNINGS STATE FOREST Site 1 Yellow Water South Machine Planting The Yellow Water South Machine Planting was a 42 acre longleaf planting which occurred in February 2013. The site was all sandhill and no site preparation practices were conducted other than to burn the logging slash piles so the ramps could be planted. Water features located near the planting area included Sal Taylor Creek, two unnamed intermittent streams, and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf Machine Planting
32
JENNINGS STATE FOREST Site 2 Yellow Water South V-Blade Planting The Yellow Water South V-Blade Planting was an 88 acre longleaf planting which occurred in February 2013. The site was all sandhill and site preparation practices consisted of chopping, prescribed burning, and an 11 acre aerial treatment with imazapyr. Water features located near the planting area included three unnamed intermittent streams and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf V-Blade Planting
33
JENNINGS STATE FOREST Site 3 Diamond D Timber Sale The Diamond D Timber Sale was a 101 acre harvest which occurred from July to August 2013. The logging operation consisted of row and selective thinning of planted slash flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area included Yellow Water Creek, Moore Branch, an unnamed intermittent stream, and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
34
JENNINGS STATE FOREST Site 4 Camp Branch Timber Sale The Camp Branch Timber Sale was a 126 acre sandhill harvest which began in October 2013. The logger pulled off for mill issues and did not resume harvesting until September 2014. Harvesting operations were finally completed in October 2014. The majority of the harvest consisted of a 106 acre clear-cut of off-site planted slash. The remaining 23 acres was a seed tree harvest of planted slash near the recreational parking area. Water features located near the harvest area included Camp Branch, an unnamed perennial stream which was
2014
Florida Forest Service Silviculture Best Management Practices Forest Hydrology
Jeff Vowell Forest Hydrologist Tallahassee Roy Lima Best Management Practices Forester Tallahassee Robin Holland Best Management Practices Forester Ocala
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PAGE
BMP Activity Location Map Activity Report Summary Table 1: BMP Implementation Summary
1-2 3
State Forest Narratives Belmore State Forest Big Shoals State Forest
4-7 8
Blackwater River State Forest
9-10
Carl Duval Moore State Forest
11
Cary State Forest
12-14
Etoniah Creek State Forest
15-17
Four Creeks State Forest
18-20
Goethe State Forest
21-28
Indian Lake State Forest
29-31
Jennings State Forest
32-36
John M. Bethea State Forest
37-38
Lake George State Forest
39-41
Lake Talquin State Forest
42-46
Lake Wales Ridge State Forest
47-48
Little Big Econ State Forest Matanzas State Forest
49 50-52
Myakka State Forest
53
Pine Log State Forest
54-55
Point Washington State Forest
56-57
Ralph E. Simmons State Forest
58
Seminole State Forest
59-61
Tate's Hell State Forest
62-71
Tiger Bay State Forest
72-75
Twin Rivers State Forest
76-79
Wakulla State Forest
80-82
Withlacoochee State Forest
83-90
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 period 2012 through 2014, twenty-six 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 1,172 practices on 74 individual forestry operations (sites) encompassing approximately 14,839 acres in 25 Florida counties. Of the total number of individual practices evaluated, 1,172 (99.7%) were found to be in compliance with BMPs. (See Table 1) For example, forest road BMPs were evaluated on 71 of the sites which involved existing road upgrades and installation of drainage structures such as culverts. Likewise, site preparation and planting was evaluated on 16 sites with an overall compliance of 100%. The Special Management Zone BMP category showed a slight decrease in compliance since 2012 to 98.9%. The Waste Disposal category was almost unchanged from 99.0% in 2012 to 99.3% in 2014. All remaining BMP categories scored 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 SMZs and waste disposal.
1
The 2014 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.
2
FLORIDA FOREST SERVICE SILVICULTURE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES
State Forest BMP Activity Report 2014 Table 1
IMPLEMENTATION SUMMARY COMPLIANCE BY CATEGORY
BMP CATEGORY
# "YES"
# "NO"
TOTAL (Y+N)
% "YES"
A. SPECIAL MANAGEMENT ZONES
40
175
2
177
98.9%
B. WETLANDS
9
39
0
39
100%
C. CANALS
1
3
0
3
100%
D. SINKHOLES
5
15
0
15
100%
E. FOREST ROADS
71
289
0
289
100%
F. STREAM CROSSINGS
6
52
0
52
100%
G. TIMBER HARVESTING (Non-Wetlands)
51
202
0
202
100%
H. SITE PREPARATION AND PLANTING
16
28
0
28
100%
I. FIRELINE CONSTRUCTION
9
41
0
41
100%
J. PESTICIDE and/or FERTILIZER USE
7
19
0
19
100%
K. WASTE DISPOSAL
74
263
2
265
99.3%
L. WET WEATHER OPERATIONS
20
23
0
23
100%
M. EMERGENCY OPERATIONS
6
7
0
7
100%
N. PUBLIC LANDS
74
12
0
12
100%
1,168
4
1,172
TOTALS
99.7%
OVERALL COMPLIANCE (%)
3
NUMBER OF SIGNIFICANT RISKS
BELMORE STATE FOREST Site 1 Satsuma Longleaf V-Blade Planting The Satsuma Longleaf V-Blade Planting was a 62 acre sandhill planting which occurred in February 2013. The site preparation practices consisted of chopping, a prescribed burn, and a pre-plant herbicide using imazapyr. Water features located near the planting area included Bull Creek, two unnamed intermittent streams, and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf V-Blade Planting
4
BELMORE STATE FOREST Site 2 Slouch Hat Timber Sale The Slouch Hat Timber Sale was a 156 acre harvest which occurred from March to Fall 2013. The logging operation consisted of a slash pine plantation thinning in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area included two unnamed perennial streams less than 20 feet wide and adjacent wetlands. Log trucks used an existing culverted stream crossing to access the sale area. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
5
BELMORE STATE FOREST Site 3 Tower Road Tropical Storm Debbie Repairs The Tower Road Tropical Storm Debbie Repairs project occurred in 2013 and 2014. This project was to repair damage to Tower Road, a main access road for the Satsuma Tract, following the June 2012 tropical storm named Debbie. Road improvements included the installation of multiple turnouts, crushed concrete ditch plugs, and several settling basins. The existing stream crossing on Bull Creek was also upgraded by replacing the crossing’s culverts and installing multiple broad base dips and turnouts on the approaches to the crossing. The portion of Tower Road approaching Bull Creek was topped with slag to reduce the potential for erosion into Bull Creek. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Series of Crushed Concrete Ditch Blocks
Concrete Ditch Block and Turnout
6
BELMORE STATE FOREST Tower Road Tropical Storm Debbie Repairs Continued
Repaired Road and Road Ditch Turnout
Armored Settling Basin
Tower Road Stream Crossing on Bull Creek
Broad Base Dip and Turnout
Culverted Stream Crossing
7
BIG SHOALS STATE FOREST Site 1 Wild Turkey Timber Sale The Wild Turkey Timber Sale was a 107 acre harvest which occurred from June to October 2013. The logging operation consisted of a hardwood removal in natural mixed pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area included an intermittent stream named Four Mile Branch and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Hardwood Harvest to Release Pine Overstory
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BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST Site 1 Ates Timber Sale The Ates Timber Sale consisted of 348 acres of planted loblolly pine that was thinned for the second time in 2006 by harvesting every third row. In 2014, the stand was selectively marked for another thinning. Large slash piles at the log landing have been a concern from a fire threat standpoint. The piles were originally scheduled to be chipped and mulched. Forest roads and stream crossings are maintained properly in accordance with Silviculture BMPs. There were no instances of BMP non-compliance related to this operation.
Log Landing and Slash Piles
Forest Roads Crowned and Water Turnouts Installed
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BLACKWATER RIVER STATE FOREST Ates Timber Sale Continued
Proper Placement of Rip Rap Helps Stabilize Fill Material at Stream Crossings
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CARL DUVAL MOORE STATE FOREST Site 1 Longleaf V-Blade Planting The Carl Duval Moore Longleaf V-Blade Planting was a 23 acre sandhill planting which occurred in February 2013. The site preparation practices consisted of a hand application of hexazinone pellets followed by a prescribed burn. There were no known water features located near the planting area. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf V-Blade Planting
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CARY STATE FOREST Site 1 Gator Splash Timber Sale The Gator Splash Timber Sale was a 106 acre harvest which occurred from January to February 2013. The logging operation consisted of a slash plantation seed tree harvest in pine flatwoods. A small isolated wetland was also harvested to remove the pine overstory and release the existing cypress midstory. Water features located near the harvest area included some interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Seed Tree Harvest
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CARY STATE FOREST Site 2 Millionth Acre Timber Sale Duval County Portion The Millionth Acre Timber Sale Duval County Portion was a 223 acre harvest which occurred from May to Fall 2013. The logging operation primarily consisted of a slash pine plantation thinning in pine flatwoods. There was also a 9.3 acre clear-cut of some offsite planted loblolly on a sandhill. Water features located near the harvest area included some interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The original timber sale also included an area in Nassau County but harvesting operations had to be suspended due to wet weather and thus the Nassau County portion has not been cut yet. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Planted Loblolly Clear-Cut
Slash Plantation Thinning
Logging Ramp with Scattered Slash
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CARY STATE FOREST Site 3 2013 Road Work Projects The Cary State Forest 2013 Road Work Projects were conducted in February 2013. Projects consisted of the installation or replacement of several wetland crossings by local personnel and the state road crew. There were two culverted wetland crossings on Frog Service Road, a culverted wetland crossing on Utility Service Road, and a new low-water hard-surfaced wetland crossing on Sand Service Road. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Culverted Wetland Crossings
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ETONIAH CREEK STATE FOREST Site 1 Longleaf V-Blade Planting The Etoniah Creek State Forest Longleaf V-Blade Planting was a 182 acre planting which occurred in February 2013. The majority of the planting blocks were located on sandhill sites with a few located in pine flatwoods. The site preparation practices consisted of a pre-plant herbicide treatment followed by a prescribed burn. Seventy-nine acres were treated with a hand application of hexazinone pellets and 103 acres were aerially treated with imazapyr and triclopyr. Water features located near the planting area included an unnamed intermittent lake and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Hexazinone Treatment Area
Imazapyr and Triclopyr Treatment Area
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ETONIAH CREEK STATE FOREST Site 2 Big Oaks Road Timber Sale The Big Oaks Road Timber Sale was a 172 acre harvest which occurred from December 2013 to February 2014. The logging operation consisted of a 147 acre block of natural sand pine scrub which was clear-cut of all sand pine leaving only widely scattered longleaf. There was also a 25 acre harvest block which was composed of natural mixed loblolly and slash pine flatwoods that was selectively thinned. Water features located near the harvest area included Etoniah Creek and Rice Creek. The portion of Etoniah Creek adjacent to the harvest area had been heavily modified historically and had a 10 feet tall spoil berm located between the harvest area and the stream bank. There were also wetlands located adjacent to the harvest area. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Clear-Cut of Natural Sand Pine Scrub Stand
Selectively Thinned Natural Mixed Loblolly and Slash Pine Flatwoods
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ETONIAH CREEK STATE FOREST Site 3 North Cablegate Road West Timber Sale The North Cablegate Road West Timber Sale was an 85 acre harvest which occurred from June to September 2014. The logging operation consisted of a seed tree harvest on natural sandhill stand. All sand pine and small hardwoods were harvested leaving longleaf as seed trees. There were no known water features located near the harvest area. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf Seed Trees
Large Oaks Left Unharvested
Hay Stabilizing North Cablegate Road
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FOUR CREEKS STATE FOREST Site 1 Stand 0311 Slash Hand Planting The Four Creeks State Forest Stand 0311 Slash Hand Planting was a 130 acre sandhill planting which occurred in January 2013. The site was replanted in January 2014. The original site preparation practices consisted of a pre-plant broadcast herbicide using imazapyr and a prescribed burn. No additional site prep was conducted prior to the replanting. Water features located near the planting area included interior isolated wetlands and an adjacent flowing wetland. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Slash Pine Replanting
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FOUR CREEKS STATE FOREST Site 2 Cougar Timber Sale The Cougar Timber Sale was a 435 acre harvest which occurred from December 2012 to March 2013. The logging operation consisted of a thinning on planted slash and planted loblolly stands in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area included three unnamed intermittent streams, interior isolated wetlands, and adjacent wetlands. Log trucks used existing culverted stream crossings to access the sale area. Several critical areas of forest roads were stabilized for the harvest. One road stabilization project was the installation of a new cross-drain low-water hard-surface crossing using slag. This critical area was located where an old upland field ditch crossed Pine Straw Road. Some existing cross-drain culverts were also stabilized by adding slag as rip rap on the culvert openings. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
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FOUR CREEKS STATE FOREST Site 3 Big Cat Ongoing Timber Sale The Big Cat Timber Sale is an ongoing harvest which was started in January 2014. Wet weather caused logging operations to be suspended after only 90% of the planned 125 acres was completed. The logging operation consists of a thinning of both planted slash and planted loblolly stands in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area include an unnamed intermittent stream, interior isolated wetlands, and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
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GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 1 December 2012 Hand Planting The Goethe State Forest December 2012 Hand Planting was a 1,117 acre planting which followed the salvage harvest of stands burned in the 2011 wildfires. Most of the planting blocks were located on pine flatwoods sites. 1,062 acres were hand planted with longleaf pine and 55 acres were planted in slash. The site preparation practices varied for each planting block and were as follows: the slash site was chopped, approximately 322 acres of longleaf had no site prep conducted, the remaining 740 acres of longleaf where chopped with 110 acres of the chopped area having been stumped prior to chopping. The stumping project consisted of select stumps being dug up by an excavator for transport to a Pinova, Inc. rosin processing plant. Following the removal of the stumpwood, holes were filled with dirt scraped from the surrounding area. Several planting blocks were also prescribed burned prior to the December 2012 hand planting operation. Water features located near the planting area included interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf Planting Following Chopping
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GOETHE STATE FOREST December 2012 Hand Planting Continued
Site Which Was Chopped and Rx Burned
Site Which Was Stumped and Chopped
Pinova, Inc. Stumpwood Harvesting
Top: Excavator Digging Stumps Right: Stump Hole after Being Refilled
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GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 2 Tram Road Timber Sale The Tram Road Timber Sale was a 398 acre harvest which occurred from January to February 2013. The logging operation consisted of a thinning of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Species harvested included slash pine, loblolly pine, and some longleaf pine. Water features located near the harvest area included interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Natural Pine Thinning
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GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 3 December 2013 Longleaf Hand Planting The December 2013 Longleaf Hand Planting was a 525 acre operation which occurred primarily on pine flatwoods sties. All but one of the flatwoods blocks were chopped and most were prescribed burned prior to planting. One flatwoods block was actually an underplanting so no site preparation operations were conducted. There was also one planting block located on a sandhill site. The site preparation for this site consisted of prescribed burning. Water features located near the planting area included interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Flatwoods Planting Sites Which Were Site Prepared by Chopping
Underplanting Site
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GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 4 First Dawn Timber Sale The First Dawn Timber Sale was a 54 acre harvest which occurred from August to September 2014. The logging operation consisted of row and selective thinning of planted longleaf on a sandhill site. Water features located near the harvest area consisted of adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
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GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 5 Hidden Well Ongoing Timber Sale The Hidden Well Timber Sale is an ongoing harvest which was started in September 2013. Wet weather caused logging operations to be suspended in November 2013 after only 70% of the planned 275 acres was completed. The logging operation consists of a row and selective thinning of planted slash in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area consisted of adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
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GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 6 Wekiva Tower Ongoing Timber Sale The Wekiva Tower Timber Sale is an ongoing harvest which was started in April 2014. Wet weather caused logging operations to be suspended in June 2014 after only 80% of the planned 240 acres was completed. The logging operation consists of a seed tree harvest of planted slash in pine flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area include interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Seed Tree Harvest
Isolated Wetland Adjacent to the Harvest Area
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GOETHE STATE FOREST Site 7 July 2014 Ongoing Salvage Harvest The Goethe State Forest July 2014 Salvage Harvest is an ongoing harvest which was started in September 2014 following a hot prescribed burn. The harvest is part of Goethe’s Forestwide 2013/14 Salvage Sale. Mill issues caused logging operations to be suspended after only 50% of the planned 84 acres was completed and wet weather has prevented operations from resuming. The logging operation consists of a salvage harvest of natural mixed pine flatwoods. Some areas were clear-cut, but most of the harvest was able to be selectively harvested with only the most damaged trees being removed. Water features located near the harvest area include interior isolated wetlands and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed. .
Natural Pine Flatwoods Salvage
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INDIAN LAKE STATE FOREST Site 1 Hollywood Re-Bid Timber Sale The Hollywood Re-Bid Timber Sale was a 180 acre harvest which occurred in February 2013. The logging operation consisted of a selective harvest of a natural mixed pine flatwoods site. The primary species harvested was slash pine. Water features located near the harvest area consisted of interior isolated wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Natural Pine Flatwoods Thinning
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INDIAN LAKE STATE FOREST Site 2 February 2014 Longleaf Planting The Indian Lake State Forest February 2014 Longleaf Planting was a 500 acre planting on an old pasture site. Site preparation consisted of a pre-plant scalping followed by a machine planting. Water features located near the planting area included several dry sinkholes. One instance of Silviculture BMP non-compliance was observed during the BMP survey from tree boxes being left on-site following the completion of planting operations. All other forestry operations were conducted in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices.
Longleaf Machine Planting
Trash Left On-Site Following the Completion of Planting Operations 30
INDIAN LAKE STATE FOREST Site 3 Summer Longleaf Planting The Indian Lake State Forest Summer Longleaf Planting was a 180 acre longleaf planting which occurred in July 2014 on an old pasture site. Site preparation consisted of a pre-plant scalping followed by a machine planting. Water features located near the planting area included a dry sinkhole. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Summer Longleaf Machine Planting
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JENNINGS STATE FOREST Site 1 Yellow Water South Machine Planting The Yellow Water South Machine Planting was a 42 acre longleaf planting which occurred in February 2013. The site was all sandhill and no site preparation practices were conducted other than to burn the logging slash piles so the ramps could be planted. Water features located near the planting area included Sal Taylor Creek, two unnamed intermittent streams, and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf Machine Planting
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JENNINGS STATE FOREST Site 2 Yellow Water South V-Blade Planting The Yellow Water South V-Blade Planting was an 88 acre longleaf planting which occurred in February 2013. The site was all sandhill and site preparation practices consisted of chopping, prescribed burning, and an 11 acre aerial treatment with imazapyr. Water features located near the planting area included three unnamed intermittent streams and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operations were performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Longleaf V-Blade Planting
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JENNINGS STATE FOREST Site 3 Diamond D Timber Sale The Diamond D Timber Sale was a 101 acre harvest which occurred from July to August 2013. The logging operation consisted of row and selective thinning of planted slash flatwoods. Water features located near the harvest area included Yellow Water Creek, Moore Branch, an unnamed intermittent stream, and adjacent wetlands. The forestry operation was performed in compliance with Silviculture Best Management Practices and no issues of BMP non-compliance were observed.
Plantation Thinning
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JENNINGS STATE FOREST Site 4 Camp Branch Timber Sale The Camp Branch Timber Sale was a 126 acre sandhill harvest which began in October 2013. The logger pulled off for mill issues and did not resume harvesting until September 2014. Harvesting operations were finally completed in October 2014. The majority of the harvest consisted of a 106 acre clear-cut of off-site planted slash. The remaining 23 acres was a seed tree harvest of planted slash near the recreational parking area. Water features located near the harvest area included Camp Branch, an unnamed perennial stream which was
