Forest Cover Stratification and Milestone Declarations

Transcription

1 Frest Cver Stratificatin and Milestne Declaratins Versin 1.4 August 14, 2007 Ministry f Frests and Range Frest Practices Branch

2 Frest Cver Stratificatin and Milestne Declaratin Table f Cntents Table f Cntents... i Intrductin...1 Plicy fr Stratificatin...1 Examples f Stratificatin...1 Minimum Stratum Size...2 Milestnes...2 Differences in requirements between Regen and Free Grwing Obligatins...2 Obligatins met t the extent that is practicable...2 Practicable vs Practical... 3 Applicatin f Stratificatin and Milestne Plicy...3 Guidance n tracking within RESULTS...4 Regeneratin Delay Examples...6 Regeneratin delay example: 1 SU, Patch > 2ha...6 Regeneratin delay example: 1 SU, Patch >1ha and < 2ha...7 Regeneratin delay example: 1 SU, Patches less than 1ha...8 Regeneratin delay example: 1 SU, Varius Patches...9 Free Grwing Examples...10 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Patch > 2ha...10 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Patch > 1ha and < 2ha...11 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Patches less than 1ha...12 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Multiple Patches...13 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Patches 1ha> and < 2ha...14 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, 1 strip <20m...15 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, 1 strip <20m, 3 strips >20m...16 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, 3 strips <20m...18 Free grwing examples: 2 SUs, Varius Patches...19 Free grwing examples: 2 SUs Varius Patches...20 Free grwing examples: 2 SUs Varius Patches...21 Free grwing examples: 1 SU > 40ha, Varius Patches...22 Appendix A: FPPR Amendment...23 Versin 1.4 i

3 Intrductin This dcument is meant t be supprting material fr discussins related t frest cver stratificatin and milestne declaratins. These discussins are ccurring as a result f updates t the Frest Planning and Practices regulatin. This dcument fcuses n fur main tpics: The Plicy fr frest cver stratificatin The Plicy fr milestne declaratins The applicatin f thse Plicies, and Examples f the plicies in practice Appendix A cntains a cpy f the apprved amendments t the Regulatin. Plicy fr Stratificatin The unit fr declaratin f milestne events will remain the Standard Unit. Stratificatin is a tl that helps t measure the distributin f regeneratin within a Standards Unit. Issues assciated with stratificatin relate t stcking. The intent f this plicy is t supprt stcking which is well distributed acrss the SU while allwing flexibility t deal with specific cnditins r circumstances that result in a prtin f an SU being under stcked. Changes t the regulatin apply t areas under the FPC r as a default under FRPA. The default under FRPA wuld cver areas where stratificatin has nt been specifically cvered in the FSP. SUs under the FPC have been and will cntinue t be managed fr target levels as required by regulatin (FPC SPR s 11 and FPC THSPR s 40). Further, stcking levels established under FRPA are cnsidered t be f a high standard cnsistent with the apprval tests f the FPPR. This plicy assumes that the high standard f refrestatin currently undertaken in the prvince will cntinue. Examples f Stratificatin Within a standards unit, stratificatin and creatin f additinal frest cver plygns and assciated frest cver attributes must ccur: If there is a stratum that is belw the required minimum stcking standard at the regeneratin r free grwing time frames; Fr the purpse f FPPR s 86 within a standards unit, stratificatin and creatin f additinal frest cver plygns and assciated frest cver attributes shuld ccur, fr example: If there is mre than a 20% difference in leading species cmpsitin. Fr example Pl8Sx2 must be separated frm Pl5Sx5; If there is a switch in the leading species. Fr example Fdc8Cw2 must be separated frm Cw6Fdc4; If the species cmpsitin changes frm a mixed species stand t a pure stand. Fr example: Fdc10 must be separated frm Fdc6Hw2Cw2; If there is a stratum that has mre than 10,000 stems per hectare; If the site index based n the leading inventry species in adjacent strata have a change f mre than 3 metres; If crwn clsure changes by mre than 10%. Versin 1.4 1

4 Minimum Stratum Size Minimum stratum size is 1 ha. The intent is t nt cnsider lng tendrils r amrphus thin ameba-like units as being separate plygns, therefre: An understcked area is defined as an area where stcking levels are less than the minimum specified and is a minimum f 1 ha in size. An understcked area must be at least 20 m wide thrughut its length and at least 20 m frm the nearest understcked area. If it is less than 20 m frm the nearest understcked area they are cnsidered cntiguus. Milestnes This sectin highlights key pints related t Milestne Declaratins. Licensees may make declaratins that they have achieved milestnes under FRPA 107 nw including prvisins under FPPR 97.1 that the bligatin has been met t the extent that is practicable. Under the new FPPR 46.11(1), the bligatin assciated with that milestne must be achieved n every hectare within the standard unit. A licensee may declare (under 46.11(2)) that the bligatins in a standard unit have been met even if there are ne r mre patches that d nt meet the applicable standard as lng as The patches are less than 1ha (applicable t bth regen and FG milestnes) At free grwing, mappable patches between 1 and 2 hectares are als acceptable if the ttal area ccupied by the patches des nt exceed 5% f the Standard Unit area. Differences in requirements between Regen and Free Grwing Obligatins With the amendments t the FPPR there is a critical difference between meeting bligatins at regen delay and at free grwing. Essentially the regulatin will allw fr mre flexibility in meeting bligatin at the free grwing assessment as cmpared with the regeneratin assessment. Specifically: (2) (a) is applicable t bligatins at bth the regen milestne and the free grwing milestne It indicates that at the time f assessment patches in the SU that d nt meet the bligatin are acceptable prviding they are less than 1 ha (2) (b) is applicable t the bligatins at the free grwing milestne nly It indicates that at the time f free grwing assessment, patches between 1 and 2 ha may exist and the bligatin will still be cnsidered t be met as lng as thse patches dn t exceed 5% f the area f the standard unit. Obligatins met t the extent that is practicable A new sectin has been added t the FPPR: s97.1 Declaratin: Obligatins met t the extent that is practicable If a stcking standard requirement is nt achieved but the bligatin hlder cnsiders that the bligatin has been met t the extent that is practicable they may submit a free grwing declaratin t the district manager which includes a statement f the extent t which the bligatin has nt been met, a statement that the persn did nt cntribute, in any manner, t nt meeting the requirement, and a ratinale f why it is nt practicable t fully meet the bligatin Versin 1.4 2

5 This declaratin may be made withut amending the applicable stcking standards fr the area. This sectin wrks in cmbinatin with sectin Sectin prvides flexibility within which the bligatin is, by definitin, fully met; Sectin 97.1 prvides that a persn may be relieved f an bligatin, even where it has nt been fully met. FPPR s 97.1 empwers the DM t reject a declaratin if satisfied that, having regard t the circumstances and cnditins applicable t the cutblck, it is in the public interest t cntinue t try t fully cmply with the free grwing requirement. It is incumbent n the DM t cnsider all factrs when determining if the standard has been met t the extent practicable and it is a benefit t sciety t cntinue t pursue refrestatin f the site, including grwth and yield implicatin n the standard unit r cutblck as a whle Practicable vs Practical Sectin 97.1 f FPPR uses the term practicable. This term is ften cnfused with the term practical. Practicable means that which might be dne, practiced, r accmplished; that which is feasible r perfrmable in the circumstances; r that which is actually pssible (e.g. capable f being carried ut ). Practical means that which might be dne cnsidering there is generally limited time, budget, resurces, and ther factrs (e.g. use in practice). The practical ptins wuld be a subset f the practicable ptins. Frm a hierarchical pint f view, if yu lk at all f the pssible slutins given unlimited time, budget, resurces, envirnmental cnditins, etc, nly a subset f all the slutins wuld be practicable. Similarly, nly a subset f the practicable slutins wuld be practical Applicatin f Stratificatin and Milestne Plicy As stated in sectin (2) (b) f the Frest Planning and Practices Regulatin (FPPR) it may be acceptable t declare an SU free grwing with ha f that SU carrying less stcking than the applicable stcking standard. Such a cnditin ccurs when the stcking standards are met fr the SU and when the area f lwer stcking is less than 5% f the standard unit. These ne t tw hectare types must be reprted as described in sectin 86 (3) (iii) f the FPPR. T satisfy this requirement, field persnnel will need t cllect and summarize silviculture and inventry data fr submissin. While nt a legal requirement, under existing apprved ministry survey prcedures, surveyrs wuld typically establish a five-plt minimum in a stratum. As it is nt the intent f these regulatry changes t prduce mre nerus prcedural requirements, it is suggested that surveyrs prduce a silviculture and inventry label based n either visual bservatin r any number f plts as determined necessary t prduce accurate results. Versin 1.4 3

6 Guidance n tracking within RESULTS The fllwing prvides interim prcedure n hw declaratins n these areas are t be reprted within RESULTS until a frmal prcess is develped in the next majr release. Declaratins are made int RESULTS n-line r via electrnic submissin (ESF). When applying s (2)(b) and s.97.1, cmments tied t a specific standard unit(s) may be submitted with the FG declaratin. We recmmend that a cmment statement such as Declaratin meeting requirement f FPPR s.46.11(2)(b) wuld cnfirm that the area nt meeting the stcking standards meets the tests as specified in the regulatin r Declaratin f bligatin met t the extent practicable as per FPPR s fr thse areas where the bligatin has nt met the requirements f FPPR s but meets the tests f FPPR The attached RESULTS milestnes screen is an illustratin f a successful ESF transmissin shwing bth the declaratin cmpnent & the cmment. Text cmments can be entered nline r via ESF and may accmpany the declaratin and cnfirm the applicatin f FPPR s r FPPR s Versin 1.4 4

7 Versin 1.4 5

8 Regeneratin Delay Examples Regeneratin delay example: 1 SU, Patch > 2ha A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 37.9 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 2.1 SU1 (40.0ha) has nt achieved the Regen Delay Milestne Stratum A meets SU stcking standards, but Stratum B des nt meet SU stcking standard and Exceeds 2 Ha Survey and Reprt n Strata A and B Versin 1.4 6

9 Regeneratin delay example: 1 SU, Patch >1ha and < 2ha A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 38.9 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 SU1 (40.0ha) has nt achieved the Regen Delay Milestne Stratum A meets SU stcking standards and Stratum B des nt meet SU stcking standard and is Greater than 1 ha Survey and Reprt n Strata A and B. Versin 1.4 7

10 Regeneratin delay example: 1 SU, Patches less than 1ha A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 37.8 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.3 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 F 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 G 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.7 SU1 (40.0ha) has achieved the Regen Delay Milestne Stratum A meets SU stcking standard and Strata D, E, F, G d nt meet SU stcking standard and are Less than 1 ha (nte these are belw the minimum stratum size s they wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Since Strata D, E, F, and G d meet minimum stratum size requirements they will be lumped with Stratum A. Nte that as the number f patches similar t D, E, F and G becme mre numerus it will becme increasingly difficult t meet the statistical requirements. Versin 1.4 8

11 Regeneratin delay example: 1 SU, Varius Patches A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 38.0 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.3 SU1 (40.0ha) has nt achieved the Regen Delay Milestne Stratum A meets SU stcking standard and Stratum B des nt meet SU stcking standard and Is greater than 1 ha Strata D, E d nt meet the SU stcking standard and Are less than 1 ha each (nte these are belw the minimum stratum size s they wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Strata D and E will be lumped with Stratum A. Survey and Reprt n Strata A and B. Versin 1.4 9

12 Free Grwing Examples Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Patch > 2ha A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 37.9 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 2.1 SU1 (40.0ha) is Nt FG Stratum A meets SU stcking standard, but Stratum B des nt meet SU stcking standard and Exceeds 2 Ha Survey and Reprt n Strata A and B Versin

13 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Patch > 1ha and < 2ha A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 38.9 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 SU1 (40.0ha) is FG Stratum A meets SU stcking standard and Stratum B des nt meet SU stcking standard but is Greater than 1 ha, and Des nt exceed 2 ha, and Des nt exceed 5% f SU1 Survey and Reprt n Stratum A and B. The survey intensity n B may be quite light. Versin

14 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Patches less than 1ha A 1 Met/exceed Stcking Standard 37.8 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.3 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 F 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 G 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.7 SU1 (40.0ha) is FG Stratum A is meets SU stcking standard and Stratum D, E, F, G d nt meet SU stcking standard and are Less than 1 ha (nte these are belw the minimum stratum size s they wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Since Strata D, E, F, and G d meet minimum stratum size requirements they will be lumped with Stratum A. Nte that as the number f patches similar t D, E, F and G becme mre numerus it will becme increasingly difficult t meet the statistical requirements. Versin

15 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Multiple Patches A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 38.0 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.3 SU1 (40.0ha) is FG because Stratum A meets SU stcking standard and Stratum B des nt meet SU stcking standard but Is greater than 1 ha, and des nt exceed 2 ha and Des nt exceed 5% f the SU area Strata D, E d nt meet the SU stcking standard and Are less than 1 ha each (nte these are belw the minimum stratum size s they wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Strata D and E will be lumped with Stratum A. Survey and Reprt n Strata A and B. The survey intensity n B may be quite light. Versin

16 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, Patches 1ha> and < 2ha Stratum Gverning SU Status Size A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 37.6 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standards 1.3 SU1 (40.0ha) is Nt FG Stratum A meets SU stcking standard and Strata B and D d nt meet SU stcking standard and Are greater than 1 ha, but d nt exceed 2 ha, and The ttal area f B, D, des exceed 5% f the area f SU1 Strata B and D may be lumped tgether in a multi-plygn stratum if apprpriate t d s. Survey and Reprt n A, B, and D (if nt lumped). Versin

17 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, 1 strip <20m A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 38.5 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.5 SU1 (40.0ha) is FG Stratum A meets SU stcking standard and Stratum B des nt meet SU stcking standard but is Less than 20m wide (nte this is belw the minimum width requirement s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Nte that B is nt the Rad, but it a brushy stratum adjacent t the rad. Because B des nt meet the minimum stratum width it shuld be lumped with A. Survey and Reprt n Stratum A Versin

18 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, 1 strip <20m, 3 strips >20m A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 38.9 B 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.5 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.6 SU1 (40.0ha) is FG Stratum A meets SU stcking standard and Stratum B des nt meet SU stcking standard but is Less than 20m wide (nte this is belw the minimum width requirement s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Nte that B is nt the rad, but a brushy stratum adjacent t the rad Stratum D des nt meet SU stcking standard 3 separate strips each > 20m wide, but less than 20m apart Shuld be treated as a single stratum as in the image belw Cmbined area is 1.6 ha which des nt exceed 5% f SU1 area Since Stratum B is belw the minimum width requirement it shuld be lumped with Stratum A. Survey and reprt n Strata A and D. Versin

19 The image abve shws the hw the 3 strips that were greater than 20m wide, and less than 20m apart were lumped int a single stratum. Versin

20 Free grwing examples: 1 SU, 3 strips <20m A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 38.1 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.5 F 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.3 SU1 (40.0ha) is FG Stratum A meets SU stcking standard and Strata D, E, F d nt meet SU stcking standard D, E, and F are less than 20m wide and greater than 20m apart (nte this is belw the minimum width requirement s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Because strata D, E, F are less than the minimum stratum size they shuld be lumped with Stratum A. Survey and Reprt n Stratum A. Versin

21 Free grwing examples: 2 SUs, Varius Patches A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 24.7 B N/A WTP 5 C 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.7 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 F 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 G 2 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.3 H 2 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 11.7 SU1 (28.0ha) is FG Stratum A (24.7) meets SU stcking standard and Strata D, E, F d nt meet SU stcking standard D, E, and F are less than 1ha (nte this is belw the minimum stratum size s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Stratum C is Greater than 1ha, Less than 2 ha Des nt ccupy mre than 5% f the SU SU2 (12.0ha) is FG Stratum H meets the SU stcking standard and Stratum G is less than 1ha (nte this is belw the minimum stratum size s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Lump Strata D, E, and F int Stratum A. Lump G int stratum H. Survey and reprt n Strata A, C, and H. The survey intensity n C may be quite light. Versin

22 Free grwing examples: 2 SUs Varius Patches A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 25.2 B N/A WTP 5 C 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.4 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.3 F 2 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 11.7 G 2 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.3 SU1 (28.0ha) is nt FG Stratum A (25.2) meets SU stcking standard and Stratum C and E d nt meet SU stcking standard but are Greater than 1 ha, Less than 2 ha Occupy mre than 5% the area f SU1 Stratum D des n meet SU stcking standard but Is less than 1ha (nte this is belw the minimum stratum size s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) SU2 (12.0) is FG Stratum F (11.7ha) meets SU stcking standard and Stratum G (0.3ha) des nt meet stcking standard but Is less than 1 ha (nte this is belw the minimum stratum size s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Lump D int Stratum A, and lump G int stratum F. Survey and Reprt n strata A, F, C and E. The survey intensity n C and E may be quite light. Versin

23 Free grwing examples: 2 SUs Varius Patches A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 26.3 B N/A WTP 5 C 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.6 F 2 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 11.7 G 2 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 0.3 SU1 (28.0ha) is FG Stratum A (26.3) meets SU stcking standard and Stratum C des nt meet stcking standard and Is greater than 1 ha, Is less than 2 ha Occupies less than 5% the area f SU1 Stratum E des nt meet SU stcking standard and Is less than 1ha (nte this is belw the minimum stratum size s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) SU2 (12.0) is FG Stratum F (11.7ha) meets SU Stcking status and Stratum G (0.3ha) des nt meet stcking standard but Is less than 1 ha (nte this is belw the minimum stratum size s it wuld nt nrmally be stratified.) Lump E int Stratum A and G int Stratum F. Survey and Reprt n Strata A, C and F. The survey intensity n C may be quite light. Versin

24 Free grwing examples: 1 SU > 40ha, Varius Patches A 1 Met/exceeded Stcking Standard 47.6 B N/A WTP 6 D 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.1 E 1 Failed t meet/exceed Stcking Standard 1.3 SU1 (50.0ha) is FG Stratum A meets SU stcking standards and Strata D, E d nt meet the SU stcking standards and Are Greater than 1 ha and Are Less than 2 ha and Occupy less than 5% f the ttal area f SU 1 Yu may be able t lump D and E tgether. Survey and Reprt n Strata A, D and E. Versin

25 Appendix A: FPPR Amendment Versin