2470
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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
ROCKY MOUNTAIN REGION (REGION 2)
DENVER, CO
FSM 2400 – TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2470 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
Supplement No.: r2_2400-2003-1
Effective Date: June 26, 2003
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: RICK D. CABLES
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 06/12/2003
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Title and calendar year.
Post by document; remove 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 2400-20011 to FSM 2400 Zero Code.
New Document(s):
2470
3 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
2470 (Supplement 2400-99-2, 1/3/2000)
3 Pages
Digest:
2471.1 - Incorporates the standard for size of harvest openings previously contained in the Rocky
Mountain Regional Guide (now withdrawn).
R2 SUPPLEMENT 2400-2003-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/26/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
2470
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FSM 2400 – TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2470 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
2470.3 - Policy
1. Where timber production is emphasized in Forest Plans, silvicultural practices shall
ensure that stands achieve and maintain the level of stocking, species composition and structure
best suited to meeting short and long-term management objectives, including those addressing
volume growth and yield. Employ concepts such as disturbance ecology to help determine
practices that are complementary to or that put at risk long-term sustainability of the resource.
2. Where other resource goals are emphasized along with timber production, stocking,
species composition and stand structure identified to meet short and long-term resource
management objectives must also be implementable and sustainable within the concepts of
disturbance and forest ecology. Accomplish modification of stand structure and composition to
complement landscape level composition, structure and function objectives.
3. Where timber production is not an objective, use silvicultural practices that maintain
stand vigor and promote resistance to damaging agents.
4. Silvicultural practices must be ecologically sound. Treatments need not duplicate
natural processes, but they must be compatible with the natural function of the forest ecosystem.
2471 - HARVEST CUTTING
2471.1 - Even-aged Stands
The size of harvest openings in the Rocky Mountain Region is determined by the Management
Direction contained in the specific Forest Plans. The Director of Renewable Resources is
delegated the authority to review those situations where size of openings exceed 40 acres, and
approve those which have not been specifically excepted. Exceptions to this limit are when
larger openings are the result of natural catastrophic conditions or when the area that is cut does
not meet the definition of created openings. The review conducted by the Director of Renewable
Resources must include input from the Physical Resources and Recreation and Public Service
staffs.
For those situations that exceed the 40-acre limitation, other than the exceptions listed above,
Forest Supervisors shall submit to the Director of Renewable Resources a recommendation for
exceeding the limit. Submit the recommendation at least 45 days before the NEPA decision
document is planned for signature. Complete a 60-day public notice period and obtain Regional
approval prior to the signing of the decision document. The Forest Supervisors' responsibility
for submission of the recommendation may not be delegated.
The Forest Supervisor must submit the following information for each request to exceed the 40acre limitation. Also include this information in the project file for exceptions to the limitation
that do not require Regional approval.
R2 SUPPLEMENT 2400-2003-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 06/26/2003
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
2470
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FSM 2400 – TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2470 – SILVICULTURAL PRACTICES
1. A concise statement summarizing why it is appropriate to consider treating unit(s)
larger than 40 acres by even-aged regeneration harvest methods. Address the situation in terms
of both short and long-term management objectives and refer to the supporting environmental
analysis documentation. This statement should tie to the purpose and need and alternative
development rationale presented in the landscape analysis and environmental analysis
documents.
2. A statement of when the 60-day public notice period was completed.
3. Copies of the silvicultural treatment diagnosis or prescriptions for the stands proposed
for treatment, which include:
a. Harvest unit designation as shown in the environmental analysis document.
b. Location/Site identification and cover type as recorded in NRIS.
c. Treatment acreages.
d. Type of cutting method, regeneration method and fuels treatment.
4. Identification of the adjacent stands, their acreage and their present status of recovery.
5. A map and/or photos illustrating the proposed units in relation to other harvest units
and existing openings.
6. A summary of public responses to the proposal.