WSP09419 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

002941 I 5.The.FO~~stlnventOry The proposed plan is developed from a Forest Timber Inventory taken in 1966 and 1967. It provides detailed information on tree species, the number of trees per acre, the volume of timber per acre, as well as the growth and mortality rates of various timber stands. The inventory data are updated to reflect events such as timber harvest, timber growth, wildfire, and tree planting that have occurred since the inventory. 6. Land Classification for Timber Management The next step in the Timber Management planning process, after inventory, is the classifi- cation of lands to identify the natural, legal, economic, and administrative factors that will influence forest management activities over the planning period. The San Juan National Forest lands have been classified in acco~dance with the following: Natural meadows, rockslides, and brush fields are classified as Non-forest Lands. Forested lands not capable of growing wood fiber at a rate of more than 20 cubic feet per acre per year are classed as Unsuitable Fo~est Lands. The Unsuitable designation refers only to the capability of the land to produce commercial tImber crops. It may be highly productive in forage, wildlife, water or other values. Forested lands within the National Wilderness Preservation System, within classjfied Primitive Areas, and within the Narraguinnep Natural Area are called Forested Reserved Lands. All of these lands (139,000 acres) are excluded from timber management activities. New Study Areas, totaling 66,200 acres, are classified as Deferred Forest Land and are excluded from the timber planning base pending the outcome of the land use plans and environmental statements to be made. The remainder of the forested land base is called Commercial Forest Land. The commercial harvest of trees will be limited to such lands. In recognition of economic limitations or other resource requirements, the Commercial Forest Land is further broken down into four components called Standard, Special; Marginal, and Unregulated. a. Standard Com onent 204 000 acres. This component includes lands on which trees can e grown .an harveste w t adequate protection of the forest resources under. the usual provisions of the timber sale contract. It includes areas capable of producing wood crops that have a reasonable probability of demand under the accessibility and economic conditions projected for the la-year planning period. b. S eelal Com onent 12 100 acres. .This component includes lands that are recognized in t e u t p e se an as needIng specially designed treatment of the timber resource to achieve the management objectives for recreation, wildlife, and scenic beauty. This component includes such areas as the Travel and Water .lnfluence Zones, and some areas adjacent to campgrounds and private developments. The Marinal due-to-lo in s stems Com onent 249400 acres, These are areas with ong, steep s opes; cr t ca, g y erros ve so s; anackcountry. character where minimum development is desirable... These are areas that could be managed with advanced equipment such as helicopters, . balloons , and long cable systems that could remove trees with fewer roads. Such systems are inexiStence today; however, the economics of USing them in southwestern Colorado do not seem to be. favorable at this tinie.. Lands in this category will be reclassified into the Standard or Special components when adequate logging systems and road funds become available. 7