2409.18_10
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION (R2)
DENVER, CO
FSH 2409.18 – TIMBER SALE PREPARATION HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – SALE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT – GATE SYSTEM
Supplement No.: 2409.18-2014-1
Effective Date: 6/18/2014.
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: BRIAN FEREBEE, Deputy Regional Forester Date Approved: 06/17/2014
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by title and calendar
year. Post by document; remove the entire document and replace it with this
supplement. Retain this transmittal as the first page(s) of this document. The last
supplement to this title was 2409.18-2006-2 to 2409.18_50.
New Document
2409.18_10
Superseded Document(s)
2409.18_10 (Supplement
by Issuance Number and Effective Date
2409.18-2006-1, 4/28/2006)
3 Pages
3 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of
direction incorporated in this amendment.
11.2 – Adds considerations for log accountability to transfer title, cost of higher scaling
frequencies, cost of scalers, and cost of processing timber sale accounting data for cost
analysis of timber measurement methods.
Region 2 Supplement: 2409.18-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/18/2014
DURATION: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed
earlier..
2409.18_10
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FSH 2409.18 – TIMBER SALE PREPARATION HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – SALE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT – GATE SYSTEM
11.2 – Methods of Measurement
To determine cost effectiveness of timber measurement methods for timber sales:
a. Each forest must complete a cost analysis. This analysis must include, but is
not limited to, the following:
(1) The cost of road checks from 2% for tree measurement sales to 3% for
scaled sales plus costs associated with millyard scaling.
(2) The cost of log accountability prior to title transfer, as scaled sales do not
transfer title until scaled.
(3) The cost of cruising to tree measurement versus scaled error standards,
depending on value of sale.
(4) The cost of higher scaling frequency with low contract volumes. In most
cases, sales under 2000 CCF would be more cost effective prepared as tree
measurement.
(5) Sale administration costs for cruising additional trees designated for
cutting on tree measurement sales and monitoring sales with designation by
description provisions. This item and b. may be affected by silvicultural
prescriptions, that is, light shelterwood or group selections with large amount
of additional volume in skid trails.
(6) Availability and cost of scalers.
(7) The cost of processing timber sale accounting data between contract
types.
b. Forests that do not currently have scalers certified to scale for payment on the
payroll, or not enough scalers to meet the potential workload, should coordinate
with their Zone Board of Directors to resolve potential problems. Forests that
have scaled sales are obligated to contribute dollars to a zone scaling program.
c. Do not offer scaled sales to compensate for a poor cruise design. Forests
should continue to follow current policy in FSH 2409.12 regarding sales not
meeting sampling error standards. There may, however, be situations in certain
timber types where a redesign and re-cruise won't be the answer, and it would be
in the Government's best interest to scale. The Forest must complete a cost
analysis documenting the cruise problem and why it would be in the
Government's best interest to scale.
Region 2 Supplement: 2409.18-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/18/2014
DURATION: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed
earlier..
2409.18_10
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FSH 2409.18 – TIMBER SALE PREPARATION HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 10 – SALE PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT – GATE SYSTEM
d. Coordination with the Zone Contracting Officers and Board of Directors is
required to ensure availability of scalers to meet Forest Service contractual
obligations during anticipated peak scaling periods. This should be done, at a
minimum, annually with all zone forests when outlining their program for the
upcoming year. Examples of discussion items may include products other than
logs (POL), merchantability specifications, different size classes of sawtimber,
and so forth.
e. Consider offering the scaled sales as 3P sample weight (versus 3P sample
load). This will provide an opportunity to conventional scale a certain number of
loads for the collection of data to analyze for development of weight factors for
the possibility of selling on total weight in the future.
f. Follow Theft Prevention Plans and log accountability guidelines for tree
measurement and scaled sales.