Forest Management Public Summary. for. Mark Andre (CA RPF#2391), Resource Manager

Transcription

1 Forest Management Public Summary for Mark Andre (CA RPF#2391), Resource Manager Certification Code: SW-FM/COC-072 Date of Certification: May 15, 1999 Date of Public Summary: July 2004 This document was produced according to the guidelines of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the SmartWood Program. No part of the report should be published separately. Certifier: SmartWood Program 1 c/o Rainforest Alliance 665 Broadway, 5 th Floor New York, New York USA TEL: (212) FAX: (212) info@smartwood.org Website: 1 SmartWood is implemented worldwide by the nonprofit members of the SmartWood Network. The Network is coordinated by the Rainforest Alliance, an international nonprofit conservation organization. The Rainforest Alliance is the legally registered owner of the SmartWood certification mark and label. All uses of the SmartWood label for promotion must be authorized by SmartWood headquarters. SmartWood certification applies to forest management practices only and does not represent endorsement of other product qualities (e.g., financial performance to investors, product function, etc.). SmartWood is accredited by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) for the certification of natural forest management, tree plantations and chain-of-custody.

2 ACRONYMS AAC ALP CITES DBH DOC FMO FSC HCVF ILO MAI OSH P&C RMA RTE SFM SFMP SLIMF Annual Allowable Cut Annual Logging Plan Convention on Trade in Endangered Species Diameter at Breast Height Department of Conservation Forest Management Organization Forest Stewardship Council High Conservation Value Forest International Labor Organization Mean Annual Increment Occupation Safety and Health Principles and Criteria of the FSC Resource Management Act Rare, Threatened or Endangered Species Sustainable Forest Management Sustainable Forest Management Plan Small Low Intensity Managed Forest Program of the FSC INTRODUCTION To earn SmartWood certification, a forest management operation must undergo an on-site field assessment. This Public Summary Report summarizes information contained in the initial assessment report, which is produced based on information collected during the field assessment. Annual audits are conducted to monitor the forest management operation s activities, to review the operation s progress toward meeting their certification conditions, and to verify compliance with the SmartWood standards. Addenda providing the updated information obtained during these annual audits are included as attachments to the Public Summary Report. This report presents the findings of an independent certification assessment conducted by a team of specialists representing the SmartWood Program of the Rainforest alliance and {Regional Affiliate, if any}. The purpose of the assessment was to evaluate the ecological, economic and social sustainability of {Certified Client Name} forest management. The purpose of the SmartWood program is to recognize conscientious land stewardship through independent evaluation and certification of forestry practices. Forestry operations that attain SmartWood certification may use the SmartWood label for public marketing and advertising. 1. GENERAL SUMMARY 1.1 Name and Contact Information Source Name: Mr. Mark S. Andre Address: 2246 Western Ave., Arcata CA Contact Person: Mark S. Andre, RPF # 2391 Telephone and Fax: T: (707) F: (707) msandre@humboldt1.com Page 2

3 1.2 General Background A. Type of operation Mr. Andre became a Registered Professional Forester (RPF) approximately 15 years ago and has been a consulting forester for the last 14 years. In 1979, he received a degree in Natural Resources Planning from Humboldt State University (HSU). He continued his studies at HSU in the Watershed Management graduate program, until In a professional capacity, Mr. Andre worked for four years at a Natural Resource Consulting firm on inventory crews, conducting compartment exams and performing stocking surveys. In subsequent years he worked for the USDA Forest Service as a Hydrologist. Currently, Mr. Andre is the forester for the Arcata City Forest among other professional roles as the Deputy Director of Environmental Services. The proportion of his time devoted to the forest varies with management activities planned for a given year. In 1997 he spent 30% of his time working on the Arcata City Forest. Mr. Andre also works as a forestry consultant, separate from his job as City Forester. He contracts his services to small non-industrial forestland owners who are interested in practicing long-term stewardship. He provides his clients with forest management services, including preparation of Timber Harvest Plans (THP s) and Non-Industrial Timber Management Plans (NTMP s), California Forest Improvement Plans (CFIP s), Stewardship Incentive Plans (SIP s), wildlife surveys, timber sales and administration, harvesting layout and supervision, harvest road and skid trail monitoring, reforestation, and silviculture. B. Years in operation Logging on properties managed by Mr. Andre began in He currently serves nine clients who own approximately 3,441 acres collectively. C. Date first certified: May 15, 1999 D. Latitude and longitude of certified operation: Arcata Community Forest: Latitude 40.87, Longitude ; Jacoby Creek Forest: Latitude 40.79, Longitude All other properties are located no more than 100 miles from these forests. 1.3 Forest and Management System A. Forest type and land use history Mr. Andre s clients' properties are composed primarily of secondary coniferous forests with a strong component of hardwoods. They are considered second growth forests since the original old growth was previously logged years ago. There are two principal managed forest types found on these lands: Douglas-fir-tanoak-Pacific madrone This diverse forest type is dominated mainly by Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) and tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) with Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) in mixture. Although most of the area has been logged, on some of the properties, mature Douglas-fir remain. The Douglas-fir forms a broken over story layer, while the hardwoods form a relatively continuous intermediate stratum. Other conifer species found in association with this forest type include grand fir (Abies grandis) and incense cedar (Calocedrus decurrens). Other hardwood species Page 3

4 found in association with this forest type include: canyon live oak (Quercus chrysolepis); big leaf maple (Acer macrophyllum); California bay (Umbellularia californica); coastal live oak (Quercus agrifolia); California black oak (Quercus kelloggii); Oregon white oak (Quercus garryana) and golden chinkapin (Castanopsis chrysophylla). Monterey pine, bishop pine (Pinus muricata) and ponderosa pine (Pinus ponderosa) also form an exotic component as they have been planted in some areas. This type represents 90% of the forestland owned by Mr. Andre s clients. Redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) Although the composition of this forest type is dominated by redwood, the following coniferous species occur as well: Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii), grand fir (Abies grandis), sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis), western hemlock (Tsuga heterophylla), and western red cedar (Thuja plicata). Hardwood species include, tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus), California laurel (Umbellularia californica) and Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii). In the riparian areas, bigleaf maple (Acer macrophyllum) and red alder (Alnus rubra) persist. This type represents 10% of the forestland owned by Mr. Andre s clients. B. Size of management unit Mr. Andre s client base currently covers approximately 3,441 acres of forestland outlined in the following table: Table 1. Landowners Location and Acreage Name of Landowner Property Location (e.g. town, county) Property Size (ha or acres) Arcata Community and Humboldt Bay /03 Jacoby Creek Forests Dr. Richard Hansis Humboldt, Upper Redwood /02 Creek Mr. Andre and partners Humboldt-Van Duzen 42 3/99 watershed. Donald Dellabalma Humboldt-Elk River 23 3/99 Ron Glick Humboldt-Briceland 68 3/99 Sandra Klingle Humboldt-Iqua Buttes Accessed via Kneeland Rd /99 Douglas Parkinson Humboldt "Tip'-Top Ridge" 20 3/00 Lindsey Creek Watershed Matt and Dustin Smith Humboldt-Berry 180 3/99 via 299 Rd Barbara Stubbs Humboldt-Maple Creek 320 3/99 Total 3441 Month/Year Landowner Entered Pool Page 4

5 C. Regional landscape context Mr. Andre s forestry business is located in heavily forested Humboldt County, California. Some of the land owned by Mr. Andre s clients lies adjacent to industrial forestland owners. Intense harvesting on industrial forestland ownership s has had an impact on forest continuity, biodiversity and has altered habitat structure and ecological relationships. Mr. Andre seeks to establish an uneven aged forest if none exists, and to maintain it, if it does. His management serves to increase the biodiversity on a landscape level. He also seeks to maintain, and where possible, increase wildlife habitat. Where surrounding areas have been clear-cut, the areas in which Mr. Andre manages are zones of ecological richness. Public land, such as the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), also lies adjacent to his clientele s properties. Currently, and in the last five years, public land is not being intensively managed for timber. Sources of sediment and temperature in watercourses are being monitored by the government and there exists a conscious effort to protect and create wildlife habitat. Mr. Andre s management is compatible with that being currently practiced on public lands in the local area. He communicates regularly with representatives of adjacent public lands to enhance compatibility of management strategies, protect environmental interests and address cumulative impacts. In many areas, rural homesteads lie adjacent to the land owned by Mr. Andre s clientele. This creates a unique set of environmental challenges such as, an increase in new road construction (especially when adjacent landowners do not cooperate with one another). Increased land use can also lead to an increase in fire hazard and water use issues. Mr. Andre does an outstanding job in communicating with adjacent private non-industrial landowners. D. Annual allowable cut Mr. Andre estimates his average annual allowable harvest at 950 MBF. Actual harvest amounts vary from year to year depending on the property being logged and the timber market. Mr. Andre bases his harvest projections on growth, stand inventory and environmental variables. Mr. Andre has completed a 20% sample cruise on nearly all of the properties he manages and is in the process of establishing CFI plots. From the data Mr. Andre collects he is able to estimate, volume per acre by species (current standing volume and volume if stand were fully stocked), stand basal area, and average annual stand growth. Mr. Andre uses a variety of tools to assist him in reaching these figures and in subsequent management decision making, including the Cooperative Redwood Yield Project Timber Output Simulator (CRYPTOS), UC Berkeley volumetaper relations and natural yield tables. E. General description of management approach The type of forestry practiced by Mr. Andre is closely linked to the type of clients with whom he chooses to work. Mr. Andre, when asked, what is unique about your forestry practice? responded by stating my clients are only those who choose to manage on a long-term sustainable basis. As a result of such a client base, Mr. Andre is able to actively involve landowners in the forest management process and truly orient his practices toward the long-term. In an effort to alleviate social and environmental pressures associated with adjacent ownership s, Mr. Andre proactively notifies and engages interested parties through press releases, phone calls, letters, etc. Another indication of Mr. Andre s astute people skills is his commendable ability to communicate performance standards and expectations to the loggers. Mr. Andre also has a unique resource available to him due to his work with the City of Arcata. A Forest Management Advisory Committee (FMAC), made up of experts in the area of forestry, wildlife, fisheries, botany, Page 5

6 and roads contributes its expertise to the management of the Arcata/Jacoby Creek Community Forest. Indirectly, Mr. Andre is able to use this expertise to benefit the other landowners with whom he works. All of the properties in Mr. Andre s certified pool have written documents associated with them, although not all of them can be considered long-term management plans, and they vary in detail depending on the operation. Mr. Andre has submitted one NTMP to date; for Arcata City Forest. This plan was approved by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CDF) in 1994 Two THP s have been completed and approved by CDF for the Stubbs and Dellabalma properties. Future NTMP s will likely be written for Barbara Stubbs, Matt and Dustin Smith, Sandra Klingle, Douglas Parkinson, Donald Dellabalma and Mr. Andre s property. On properties owned by Glick, Matt and Dustin Smith and his own, Mr. Andre has written CFIP plans. CFIP is a cost share program, which has been designed to rehabilitate degraded forestland. These properties can be characterized as being in a state of degradation and are not, for the most part commercially harvestable. Thus, the landowners are unable to justify the cost of a long-term management plan until the forest has been rehabilitated and allowed to grow. CFIP plans include a description of resources (water, wildlife and timber), landowner goals and objectives, general recommendations and potential harvest scenarios, forest improvement needs, market conditions and a project description. As in the forest assessment, Mr. Andre s management philosophy is reflected in his recommendations to the landowner. In short, Mr. Andre practices uneven-aged silviculture on client lands with an intent to: increase forest inventories and productivity in understocked stands, maintain adequate levels of stocking where it already exists, facilitate more diverse forest structure, and protect site capability of the forest. To achieve an uneven-aged stand structure, Mr. Andre employs individual tree or group selection (with green tree retention) in a minimum number of entries into the stand. Percent removed is site specific and a function of ecology, aspect, age, etc. His main goal is to increase timber inventories by cutting less than growth, selectively thinning the suppressed, intermediate, and co-dominate trees and by increasing the softwood component over successive entries. Old growth stands and remnant old-growth trees are protected under Mr. Andre s management. The principal mode of timber extraction is tractor on slopes less than 40%, and cable on slopes greater than 40%. Where possible, long lining is used to minimize surface disturbance, and fallen trees are cut into short lengths to minimize residual damage. New landing and road construction are avoided when possible. In fact Mr. Andre, in his management philosophy, stated that he did not anticipate any new road construction. When they are constructed, landings are small and roads are carefully designed. Performance standards, expected from the logger, are stated in the written logging contract and signed by the logger. F. Forest management system goals. Mr. Andre describes his forest management goals as follows: General Maintain the health of the forest system, specifically the integrity of the watershed, wildlife, fisheries and plant resources, their relationships and the process through which they interact with their environment. Produce marketable forest products and income to the landowner in perpetuity, balancing timber harvest and growth. Page 6

7 Timber Resources Manage the forest resource by emphasizing larger older trees, and maintaining a balance between young, intermediate and mature trees in a variety of successional stages. Maximize the economic efficiency of each timber harvest operation. Maintain or increase the amount of forested land. Increase forest growth through reforestation and timber stand improvement programs. Balance the health and vigor of the forest with aesthetic values by prescribing flexible silvicultural methods. Develop a long-term management plan for each ownership. Watershed Resources Prevent cumulative watershed effects by controlling individual effects on soil productivity, aquatic and riparian resources and water quality caused by timber management activities. (Watershed effects, produced by timber harvesting activities can be divided into several categories, soil productivity, sediment production and yield, watercourse condition and water quality and aquatic biological resources). Soil productivity will be protected and enhanced by preventing organic matter loss, surface soil loss, soil compaction, and growing space loss. Sediment production and yield will be minimized through prudent management techniques, utilizing stringent erosion control practices. Sediment production will be minimized and, where appropriate, reduced from existing levels. Current condition of watercourses and water quality will be maintained or improved following specific standards and guidelines that have been developed to protect, maintain and improve existing watercourse condition. Current aquatic biological resources will be maintained or improved by retaining the forest canopy bordering the streams and wetlands, by maintaining complex structure in the streams and wetlands through the contribution of large woody debris, and by limiting the input of sediment to stream channels. Also, management efforts will attempt to maintain and improve the current diversity of the aquatic community. Wildlife Resource Management Protect and enhance selected wildlife habitats and monitor and evaluate the effects of timber harvest and improvement programs. Protect and enhance habitat components through coordination and application of timber harvesting standards. Page 7

8 Vegetation and Botanical Resource Management Maintain the indigenous plant composition in the redwood and Douglas-fir-tanoak-Pacific madrone forest types through active management, planting a mix of species and, as cost and availability allow, use local seed sources. Maintain and enhance riparian plant communities when appropriate. Identify and protect habitat of designated sensitive species in accordance with State and Federal policy. Maintain control of invasive non-native species. 1.4 Environmental and Socioeconomic Context The North Coast of California, as with many other forest regions in the Pacific Northwest, has experienced environmental and social degradation from over harvesting of forest resources. For example, in the last ten years, the northern spotted owl, marbled murrelet, coho salmon, and steelhead have been listed as federally endangered species. Many attribute the loss of habitat for these species in part, to poor forest management practices. Since 1990, forest related employment in the region has plummeted 50%, and conflicts over forest management between community members have been commonplace since the mid-eighties. Mr. Andre lives and works in Humboldt County, an area in which these issues are at the forefront. Mr. Andre is very sensitive to the issues surrounding forest operations, as supported by his experience working on the Arcata City Forest. The public gives much scrutiny to the environmental issues associated with the City Forests. Mr. Andre selects his clients, based on their commitment to practice long-term management. Mr. Andre practices management that is considerably beyond current standards in the industry. The assessor was impressed with the obvious concern and diligence expressed by Mr. Andre regarding environmental and socioeconomic issues. According to State of California Forest Practices Act (FPA) foresters are required to notify all landowners within 300 feet of the harvest area and post an advertisement in the local newspaper informing the public of the impending harvest. The public can obtain the Timber Harvest Plan or Non-Industrial Timber Management Plan document from the local California Department of Forestry office, and they are given thirty days to comment on, or contest the plan. Mr. Andre has gone beyond the notification requirements of the FPA and has met with neighbors who are concerned about the impacts of proposed logging jobs. It is the perspective of the certification team that Mr. Andre has a very strong commitment to represent the best interests of his forestry clients and to balance this commitment with his responsibility to the public and the forest resource. Management highlights since Mr. Andre was first certified in 1999 include: Harvesting on two parcels. There are ongoing planting and fire hazard reduction projects on five of the parcels. On the Hansis parcel $50,000 in CFIP funding was secured for preparing a management plan and doing forest improvement work. Five NTMP s are in various stages of preparation, with most on hold until market conditions improve. The acreage of Mr. Andre s management pool was doubled in 2003 with the addition of the separately certified Arcata/Jacoby Creek Community Forest. This forest was already under Mr. Andre s management in his capacity as Arcata s forester. Page 8

9 Arcata Community Forest in cooperation with Almquist Lumber Company (the only chain of custody certified mill in Humboldt County) is starting a small, 15 mbf, project to maintain and promote awareness of certified lumber. The 171-acre Sunny Brae Forest addition to the Arcata/Jacoby Creek Community Forest is about half way toward final purchase. A $22,000 Jobs in the Woods grant was obtained to upgrade or remove roads in 300 acres of the Jacoby Creek Forest. Using inmate crews a shaded fuel break was constructed around much of the Arcata Community Forest. Invasive vegetation from nearby residences was also removed as part of this project. Arcata has partnered with the Jacoby Creek Land Trust, Barnum Timber Company, neighboring landowners, and governmental agencies to protect the Jacoby Creek riparian corridor. Jacoby Creek is an important salmonid stream. Arcata has also purchased a portion of the Jacoby Creek estuary, and is preparing a restoration plan for that area. 1.5 Products Mr. Andre estimates that about 950 thousand board feet of sawtimber could be harvested each year on the combined properties in his management pool. Actual volumes vary from year to year depending on market conditions and the properties being logged. Douglas-fir and redwood, are the principal sawlog species harvested. Hardwoods, when harvested, have historically been sold as chip logs. However, Mr. Andre is monitoring the hardwood sawlog market. When a hardwood sawlog market develops, such species will be harvested and sold. Incidental amounts of firewood have been harvested as well. 1.6 Chain-of-Custody Certification In California, tracking systems from forest to mill are well documented. Each load of logs that leaves the landing has a trip ticket attached that specifies the number of logs by species and the time and date of delivery. A copy of the trip ticket is given to the mill scaler, the trucker, the forester, and the landowner. Once the logs have been scaled at the mill the landowner, logger, forester, and landowner get a copy of the scale ticket. The scale ticket indicates the species, length, diameter, scale of each log, defect deductions, number of logs on the load, total gross and net scale, and time and date that the load was received. The FSC approved registration code assigned by SmartWood is included in sales and shipment documentation related to certified sales. 2. CERTIFICATION ASSESSMENT PROCESS 2.1. Assessment Dates Activity Date(s) Who Stakeholder Notification 4/6/04 Jessica Martin Client Interview 4/8/04 Bill Eastwood Field Visit 4/8/04 Bill Eastwood Summary Meeting 4/8/04 Bill Eastwood Draft Report Produced 5/9/04 Bill Eastwood Draft Reviewed by Client 5/30/04 Walter Smith Page 9

10 Certification Decision 2.2. Assessment Team and Peer Reviewers Assessment Team: Bill Eastwood is a geologist with 25 years experience in various aspects of watershed restoration and sustainable forestry. He has a Master s degree in geology from the University of California at Berkeley. He is the co-director of the Eel River Salmon Restoration Project. Since 1983 he has directed watershed planning projects, stream habitat improvement projects, a wild broodstock salmon and steelhead rearing suplementation program, salmon in the classroom educational projects, and studies of fish. Bill is a founding member of the Institute For Sustainable Forestry and served on the staff for ten years. He helped develop the Ten Elements of Sustainable Forestry and the ISF's PCEFP forest certification program, which later was absorbed into the SmartWood program. He has participated in 7 certification assessments, 3 reassessment, 9 audits and several peer reviews Assessment Process Pertinent documents were reviewed on 4/7/04. The client interview and field visit were conducted on 4/8/04. The draft assessment report was completed 5/9/ Standards The Standards used in this reassessment are the FSC Pacific Coast Working Group Standards version 7.9 as approved by the FSC International in August 2003 ( and FSC approved SmartWood Protocol. SLIMF procedures carried out in accordance with FSC-POL and FSC-POL ( and SmartWood Assessor Manual Stakeholder consultation process and results Issues Identified Through Stakeholder Comments and Public Meetings The stakeholder consultation activities were organized to give participants the opportunity to provide comments according to general categories of interest based upon the assessment criteria. The comment summary below is based upon specific interview and/or public meeting comments. Stakeholder Comments Stakeholder Category Comments Neighbor Community Public Gov t Worker Peer Positive Negative Neutral Suggestion Describe: Highlighted how skilled Mr. Andre is at negotiating complex matters such as the joint Jacoby Creek riparian protection plan. Neighbor Community Public Gov t Worker Peer Positive Negative Neutral Suggestion Describe: Emphasized Mr. Andre s dedication, high level of skill, and ability to deal with a wide variety of input. Neighbor Community Public Gov t Worker Peer Positive Negative Neutral Suggestion Describe: This person was especially impressed by Mr. Andre s depth of knowledge in wildlife. Neighbor Community Public Gov t Worker Peer Positive Negative Neutral Suggestion Describe: Page 10

11 3. RESULTS, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS 3.1. Findings and Conditions by Principle Principle Finding Condition P1: FSC Commitment/ Legal Strength Weakness Adequate Compliance P2: Tenure & Use Rights & Strength Weakness Adequate Responsibilities P3 Indigenous Peoples Rights Strength Weakness Adequate P4: Community Relations & Strength Weakness Adequate Workers Rights P5: Benefits from the Forest Strength Weakness Adequate P6: Environmental Impact Strength Weakness Adequate P7: Management Plan Strength Weakness Adequate P8: Monitoring & Assessment Strength Weakness Adequate 1. Condition: Within one year of the certification date, prepare a document or form detailing present and future biological, physical, economic, and social monitoring programs and how these programs will be used to guide forest management activities. (Criteria 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5) P9: Maintenance of High Strength Weakness Adequate Conservation Value Forest P10 - Plantations Strength Weakness Adequate NA Conditions are verifiable actions that will form part of the certification agreement that {operation} will be expected to fulfill at the time of the first audit or as required in the condition. Each condition has an explicit time period for completion. Non-compliance with conditions will lead to de-certification 3.2. Certification Decision Based on a thorough field review, analysis and compilation of findings by this SmartWood assessment team Mark Andre is recommended to receive joint FSC/SmartWood Forest Management and Chain of Custody (FM/COC) Certification with the stipulated conditions (or contingent upon successful completion of the preconditions listed below). In order to maintain certification, Mark Andre will be audited annually on-site and required to remain in compliance with the FSC principles and criteria as further defined by regional guidelines developed by SmartWood or the FSC. Mark Andre will also be required to fulfill the conditions as described below. Experts from SmartWood will review continued forest management performance and compliance with the conditions described in this report, during scheduled and random audits. Page 11

12 3.3. Conditions and Recommendations Conditions are verifiable actions that will form part of the certification agreement that {operation} will be expected to fulfill at the time of the first audit or as required in the condition. Each condition has an explicit time period for completion. Non-compliance with conditions will lead to decertification. 1. Condition: Within one year of the certification date, prepare a document or form detailing present and future biological, physical, economic, and social monitoring programs and how these programs will be used to guide forest management activities. (Criteria 8.1, 8.2, 8.4, 8.5) Page 12