Timber Harvesting  
         
  Checklist for Success
  The following is a partial list of practices that may be applicable to timber harvesting during your forest management project. Implement the appropriate practices to protect water quality before, during and after the project is completed. Refer to the Forest Water Quality Guidelines for a more complete list of practices that might be applicable.

Harvesting Equipment Considerations

 
  • Choose the appropriate size and type of equipment to adequately perform the operation, while minimizing soil compaction and damage to the residual stand.
  • Plan and layout skid trails prior to harvesting.
  • Utilize directional felling techniques.
  • Avoid skidding in drainages and stream channels to prevent excessive soil displacement.
  • Exclude operating ground based machinery within streamside management zones.
  • Consider the use of low ground pressure equipment in wetlands.
  • Avoid the use of skidder blades for braking when descending steep slopes.
   

Winter Logging Considerations

 
  • Consider harvesting wetlands and other sensitive areas during winter months.
  • Conduct winter logging operations when the ground is frozen or adequate snow cover exists to minimize disturbance.
  • Install adequate road or skid trail drainage prior to the start of harvesting activities.
  • Compact skid trails in snow prior to harvesting.
  • Clearly mark culverts and other drainage structures making them visible in deep snow.
  • Keep all drainage structures clear and ensure culverts remain free of debris.
  • Avoid road construction during winter months.
   

Slash Management Considerations

 
  • Lopping and scattering, crushing, or chipping slash material, as opposed to burning, aids nutrient cycling, protects reproduction, reduces potential insect infestations and impedes surface water flow.
  • Use brush blades for piling slash to reduce soil disturbance.
  • Ensure the best possible utilization of wood to prevent excessive slash accumulations.
   

Regeneration Considerations

 
  • Retain a sufficient number of healthy trees with adequate crowns and good form for seed trees or retention trees.
  • Restrict equipment to designated trails to limit soil compaction. Treat excessively compacted areas to obtain adequate regeneration or revegetation.
  • Scarify the soil only to the extent necessary to meet regeneration objectives.
   
 

Forest Products Transportation Act

Transportation of forest products within, into or out of the State of Utah requires compliance with the Utah Forest Products Transportation Act (Utah Code 78-38-4.5). This law requires proof of product ownership to harvest or transport forest products from state, private and federal lands in Utah. The Act:

 
  • Protects the rights of private landowners
  • Assures forest products are obtained legally
  • Promotes fair market value for products harvested
  • Prevents theft
   

Proof of ownership may include a timber sale contract, permit, bill of sale or lading, receipt, or other legal instrument which provides the following information.

 
  • Date of sale
  • Purchaser, transporter, landowner, agency and vendor name & address
  • Legal or other description of sale area
  • Product, species and quantity being harvested or removed
  • Delivery point