Riparian Strategies: Operational Issues

Purpose: Physical requirements and limitations of logging systems when harvesting in riparian areas Physical requirements and limitations of logging systems when harvesting in riparian areas Some steps for minimizing impacts in riparian areas Some steps for minimizing impacts in riparian areas Implications of the Riparian Procedures on Roads Implications of the Riparian Procedures on Roads

Physical Requirements, Cable Logging Deflection Deflection Tail trees Tail trees Intermediate Supports Intermediate Supports Anchors Anchors

EstimatingTurn Size and Weight Assuming 3-4 logs per turn: Wood volumes and weights determined using the Foresters Field Handbook. LogDiameterLengthBFWeight Total10,570

SKYLINE RIGGING HEIGHT, FEET SIZE, INCHES / `3/ / / / / / RECOMMENDED MINIMUM DIAMETERS FOR WEST COAST DOUGLAS-FIR TAIL TREES (Recommended diameter in inches measured at 4.5 feet.)

Tail Hold Considerations Tail trees must be guyed when the height of the rigging is more than 5 times the diameter of the tail tree. Tail trees must be guyed when the height of the rigging is more than 5 times the diameter of the tail tree. A skyline must not make an angle greater than 50 degrees from horizontal when it leaves the tail tree. A skyline must not make an angle greater than 50 degrees from horizontal when it leaves the tail tree. In general terms, this means that the skyline anchor will be behind the lift tree at least the height of the rigging in the tail tree. In general terms, this means that the skyline anchor will be behind the lift tree at least the height of the rigging in the tail tree.

Tail Holds Continued Putting the tailhold across the stream may help provide lift. Putting the tailhold across the stream may help provide lift. Consider damage or feasibility if the other side of the stream is forested. Consider damage or feasibility if the other side of the stream is forested. Stumps over 5 years old = potential problems finding anchors. Stumps over 5 years old = potential problems finding anchors. If there is equipment access, mobile tailholds work well. If there is equipment access, mobile tailholds work well. Is an HPA required? Is an HPA required?

Intermediate Support Tree Diameters Dragging Intermediate Support Rigging Height in Tree Load SizeLine Size less thanbetween 30 ft. 30 ft.and 40 ft. (pounds)(or greater)(diameters at 4.5 feet) 0 – 50007/16”11.0”13.0” 5000 – 60001/2”12.0”14.0” 6000 – 80009/16”12.5”14.5” 8000 – /8”13.0”15.0” – /4”14.0”16.0” – /8”14.5”17.0” – ”15.5”18.5” – /8”16.0”19.5” – /4”17.0”20.5” – /8”17.5”21.5”

Typical Central Landing With Leave Clumps  Line up corridors with tail trees  Find tail tree, run profile to landing  Continuous landing=more flexibility  Lateral yarding limited to 3 times the height of the skyline, up to a 100’ maximum  Full suspension required for yarding over streams.

Some Operational Considerations Alder tends to lean towards the stream and is difficult to fall to lead. Breakage and yarding time will increase. Alder tends to lean towards the stream and is difficult to fall to lead. Breakage and yarding time will increase. Conifer should be felled to lead; usually diagonal to contour for lateral yarding. Conifer should be felled to lead; usually diagonal to contour for lateral yarding. A person with cutting experience should mark trees, to make sure they can be felled to lead. A person with cutting experience should mark trees, to make sure they can be felled to lead.

RMZ Economics We will operate in an RMZ to meet specific ecological goals and, We will operate in an RMZ to meet specific ecological goals and, When when we can meet the established minimum stumpage values. When when we can meet the established minimum stumpage values. Yarding costs fall into two main categories: Yarding costs fall into two main categories: * Cost/hour for equipment and labor * Production (how many truckloads/day)

Equipment and Labor Costs A typical Highlead/Shotgun logging operation costs about $3600 per day. A typical Highlead/Shotgun logging operation costs about $3600 per day. Lateral Yarding = Motorized Carriage, which adds $500/day. Lateral Yarding = Motorized Carriage, which adds $500/day. If an intermediate support tree is needed to reach farther into RMZ, that adds $200 for each tree rigged. If an intermediate support tree is needed to reach farther into RMZ, that adds $200 for each tree rigged.

Some operations which affect production: Time spent combining selected trees into turns. Time spent combining selected trees into turns. More care during inhaul to avoid damage to standing trees. More care during inhaul to avoid damage to standing trees. Lateral yarding generally involves more hangups, or care to avoid hangups, because the logs want to roll downhill. Lateral yarding generally involves more hangups, or care to avoid hangups, because the logs want to roll downhill. Longer average yarding distance means longer inhaul time, plus more hangups. Longer average yarding distance means longer inhaul time, plus more hangups.

Average Yarding Distance (AYD) For a triangular setting, average yarding distance is 2/3 of the external distance. For a triangular setting, average yarding distance is 2/3 of the external distance. External AYD For a rectangular setting (continuous landing) its1/2 of the external distance. For a rectangular setting (continuous landing) its`1/2 of the external distance.

Helicopter Yarding Proper use of Helicopters will reduce impacts in the RMZ. May pay off economically if you have high value product in the RMZ. Very high mobilization costs. Be aware of landing size requirements

Ground Based Systems Skid trails at least 100 feet apart. Skid trails at least 100 feet apart. Place logging slash on trails to reduce disturbance. Place logging slash on trails to reduce disturbance. Stream parallel skid roads or at a 45 degree angle or less. Stream parallel skid roads or at a 45 degree angle or less. Waterbar all skid trails in the RMZ. Waterbar all skid trails in the RMZ. No equipment allowed within 25 feet of the inner zone. No equipment allowed within 25 feet of the inner zone. If selection of ground based systems adds roads to the harvest plan, plan to mitigate the impacts. If selection of ground based systems adds roads to the harvest plan, plan to mitigate the impacts.

Ground Based Systems Continued What does low-ground pressure mean? What does low-ground pressure mean? A shovel like this would be about 9 psi ground pressure. about 9 psi ground pressure. A tracked skidder like this would be 7-9 psi, depending would be 7-9 psi, depending on the track width. on the track width. Unloaded in both cases both cases.

Special Soil Considerations Soils in the RMZ might be more compactable. Soils in the RMZ might be more compactable. They may have higher moisture content. They may have higher moisture content. A soils specialist may be able to help determine soil bearing strength or make an equipment recommendation based on experience. A soils specialist may be able to help determine soil bearing strength or make an equipment recommendation based on experience. Engineering may recommend equipment suitable for a given site. Engineering may recommend equipment suitable for a given site.

Rutting These ruts were caused by shovel logging on saturated soils. The ground pressure of the machine (estimated at 9 PSI) exceeded the bearing capacity of the soil (7 PSI). This was on ONE pass!

Cut to Length Systems  Excellent for placing logging slash mats on trails.  Somewhat limited on side hill skid trails.  May need to bring in other equipment to water bar the trails. 7.5 PSI front axle and 14.5 PSI rear axle.  7.5 PSI front axle and 14.5 PSI rear axle.

Road Issues Road construction in the RMZ is permitted when alternative yarding systems aren’t practical. Road construction in the RMZ is permitted when alternative yarding systems aren’t practical. Road and stream crossing construction costs are highly variable. Work with Engineering Staff. Road and stream crossing construction costs are highly variable. Work with Engineering Staff. Engineering may also help with placement of logs and stumps. Engineering may also help with placement of logs and stumps. Also consider the discounted cost and benefit of road access, maintenance, and/or abandonment costs. Also consider the discounted cost and benefit of road access, maintenance, and/or abandonment costs.

Requirements on Fish Bearing Stream Crossings Place one log from the inner zone in the stream channel below the crossing. Place one log from the inner zone in the stream channel below the crossing. Place three root wads from the inner zone in the stream channel. Place three root wads from the inner zone in the stream channel. Plan for moving stumps from the inner zone to the outer zone 50 feet from the road in such a way as to minimize disturbance. Plan for moving stumps from the inner zone to the outer zone 50 feet from the road in such a way as to minimize disturbance. Timber cut for road corridor may be removed. Timber cut for road corridor may be removed.

Why do the stumps and logs have to be downstream of the crossing structure? Answer:

Miscellaneous Items Salvage in the RMZ requires a restoration plan to be submitted to the HCP Implementation Manager for approval. Salvage in the RMZ requires a restoration plan to be submitted to the HCP Implementation Manager for approval. Use or tweak existing timber sale contract language regarding damage to residual trees. Use or tweak existing timber sale contract language regarding damage to residual trees. Creating snags by topping or girdling. Creating snags by topping or girdling.

Questions to ask when including RMZ wood in a sale: Am I or can I find someone who is experienced enough in harvest operations to determine if logging in the RMZ is feasible? Am I or can I find someone who is experienced enough in harvest operations to determine if logging in the RMZ is feasible? If harvesting is feasible, what impacts can I expect in the RMZ, and is it acceptable? If harvesting is feasible, what impacts can I expect in the RMZ, and is it acceptable? If operating in the RMZ involves additional roads, have I accounted for the additional requirements and long term impacts? If operating in the RMZ involves additional roads, have I accounted for the additional requirements and long term impacts?