Cal. Code Regs. tit. 14 § 913.8

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 25, June 21, 2024
Section 913.8 - Special Harvesting Methods for Southern Subdistrict
(a) Only the following Regeneration Methods and Stocking requirements, and those described in Article 6 of Subchapter 7 of this Chapter, shall apply in the Southern Subdistrict of the Coast Forest District. Timber Operations shall be conducted in accordance with paragraphs (1), (2), or (3) below. If the provisions of more than one subsection will be used within any individual timber operation or Logging Area, a line separating the areas to be cut under provisions of each shall be shown in the Plan and clearly defined on the ground by paint or other means prior to filing the Plan and so as to be readily identifiable during and after completion of logging.
(1) Leave uncut a well-distributed timber stand after Timber Operations have been completed on the Logging Area that is at least forty (40) percent by number of those trees eighteen (18) inches and more d.b.h. present prior to commencement of current Timber Operations. Leave trees shall be thrifty coniferous trees which were dominant or co-dominant in crown class prior to timber harvesting or which have crowns typical of such dominant or co-dominant trees. They shall be free from significant damage caused by the Timber Operations. No conifer shall be cut which is more than seventy-five (75) feet from the nearest leave tree twelve (12) inches d.b.h. or larger located within the Logging Area. No area may be cut in excess of the leave tree standards of this rule in any ten (10) year period. Upon completion of Timber Operations one of the following Stocking Standards for coniferous trees shall be met:
(A) Basal Area. The average residual basal area, measured in stems one (1) inch or larger in Diameter at least one hundred twenty (120) square feet per acre on Site I lands, and at least one hundred (100) square feet per acre on Site II lands, and seventy-five (75) square feet per acre on Site III lands, and fifty (50) square feet per acre on Sites IV and V lands.
(B) Countable Trees. The area contains a well-distributed stand of trees with an average Countable Tree point count of at least two hundred (200) per acre on Site I and II lands, one hundred twenty-five (125) per acre on Site III lands, or one hundred (100) per acre on Site IV and V lands. The point count to be computed as follows:
1. Each Countable Tree which is not more than four (4) inches d.b.h. counts one (1) point.
2. Each Countable Tree over four (4) inches and not more than twelve (12) inches d.b.h. counts two (2) points.
3. Each Countable Tree over twelve (12) inches d.b.h. counts as four (4) points.
4. Redwood root crown sprouts over one (1) foot in height will be counted using the average stump diameter one (1) foot above average ground level of the original stump from which the redwood root crown sprouts originate counting one (1) sprout for each one (1) foot of stump diameter to a maximum of six (6) per stump. Any countable redwood root crown sprout over one (1) foot in height but less than four (4) inches d.b.h. shall count as one (1) toward meeting Stocking requirements.
(2) An alternative Regeneration Method may be approved only if all of the following are met:
(A) The Regeneration Method described in subsection (a) above is not silviculturally appropriate or Feasible in the professional judgment of the Director and the RPF who prepared the Plan.
(B) Cutting Methods prescribed under the provisions of this section must maintain a well-distributed tree crown cover of at least fifty (50) percent of the pre-existing tree crown Canopy. At no time shall the crown cover be reduced to a level where the productivity of the land is jeopardized or to a level which would create a threat to soil and/or water resources. Provided the required crown cover can be maintained, the removal of all trees in Small Groups not exceeding one-half (0.5) acre in size may be approved as part of the overall cutting prescription.
(C) The alternative method shall provide overall protection at least equal to that of the standard provided by subsection (a) for watershed, wildlife, soil, and aesthetic resources considering the Silvicultural Method, conditions necessary for regeneration, tree growth rate, annual rainfall, summer temperature and length of dry season, critical problems of erodible soils, Unstable Areas, need for high water quality, increased fire potential, and exposure to more intensive use.
(D) A Plan agreed upon between the RPF and the Director is prepared which gives timber stand information concerning Stocking levels, cutting goals, timber stand growth and future harvest timing expectations.
(E) The Timber Operator is responsible for carrying out Timber Operations as described in the Plan. The Plan submitter is responsible for retaining an RPF to provide professional advice to the Timber Operator and Timberlands owner on a continuing basis throughout the Timber Operations. The RPF or the designee of the RPF works closely with the Timber Operator to help assure compliance with the approved Alternative Prescription and the terms and specifications of the approved Plan. The RPF or the designee of the RPF is present on the Harvest Area sufficient hours each week to know the operations' progress and advise the Timber Operator. The RPF informs the Timber Operator of potential environmental impacts and the mitigation measures to be taken to minimize such impacts. The Timber Operator shall sign the Plan and major amendments thereto, or shall sign and file with the Director a facsimile thereof, prior to commencement or continuation of operation thereunder agreeing to abide by the terms and specifications of the Plan. An RPF may be responsible for the conduct of Timber Operations under contractual arrangements with the Timber Owner.
(F) The Logging Area shall meet the Stocking Standards described in 14 CCR § 913.8(a)(1) within five (5) years following completion of Timber Operations.
(G) Group B species designated for management may be counted for Stocking, consistent with 14 CCR § 912.7(d).
(3) The harvest of dead, Dying or deteriorating trees resulting from fire, wind, insect, disease, flood, or other injurious agents as provided in 14 CCR § 913.3(b) shall be exempt from 14 CCR § 913.8(a)(1) and (2) except for Stocking under 14 CCR § 913.8(a)(2) provided there has been a preharvest inspection and a Plan has been approved.

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 913.8

1. New NOTE filed 2-21-79 as procedural and organizational; effective upon filing (Register 79, No. 9).
2. Repealer and new section filed 7-2-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 27).
3. Repealer of former section 913.8 and renumbering and amendment of section 913.9 to section 913.8 filed 1-11-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 3).
4. Amendment of first paragraph and new subsection (d) filed 8-10-87; operative 9-9-87 (Register 87, No. 33).
5. Amendment of subsection (b)(3) filed 2-11-91; operative 3-13-91 (Register 91, No. 14).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 9-7-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 36).
7. Amendment of section and NOTE filed 6-4-2020; operative 1-1-2021 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 2020, No. 23).
8. Amendment of subsection (a) and NOTE filed 6-6-2022; operative 1-1-2023 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 2022, No. 23).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 4551, 4553, 4561.1 and 4562.5, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4551.5, 4561, 4561.1, 4562.5 and 4562.7, Public Resources Code.

1. New NOTE filed 2-21-79 as procedural and organizational; effective upon filing (Register 79, No. 9).
2. Repealer and new section filed 7-2-79; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 79, No. 27).
3. Repealer of former section 913.8 and renumbering and amendment of section 913.9 to section 913.8 filed 1-11-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 3).
4. Amendment of first paragraph and new subsection (d) filed 8-10-87; operative 9-9-87 (Register 87, No. 33).
5. Amendment of subsection (b)(3) filed 2-11-91; operative 3-13-91 (Register 91, No. 14).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 9-7-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 36).
7. Amendment of section and Note filed 6-4-2020; operative 1/1/2021 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 2020, No. 23).
8. Amendment of subsection (a) and Note filed 6-6-2022; operative 1/1/2023 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 2022, No. 23).