2440
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FOREST SERVICE MANUAL
PACIFIC SOUTHWEST REGION (REGION 5)
VALLEJO, CA
FSM 2400 - TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2440 - DESIGNATING, CRUISING, SCALING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Supplement No.: 2400-2014-1
Effective Date: March 21, 2014
Duration: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or
removed earlier.
Approved: RANDY MOORE
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 3/21/2014
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Manual number 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 Manual was 2400-2011-3 to the Zero Code.
New Document
2440
6 Pages
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
2400-2009-01
6 Pages
Digest:
2442.1 - Updates weight factors for biomass whole trees.
2442.2 - Includes requirement to prepare a cruise plan for sale > $2000.
2443.4 - Directs all log scaled sales to use third party scaling organizations.
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2400-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/21/2014
DURATION: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
2440
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FSM 2400 - TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2440 - DESIGNATING, CRUISING, SCALING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
2440.3 - Policy
6. Sell all timber sales as tree measurement sales unless the sale meets the following
qualifications for scaled sales:
a. Salvage sales. Salvage sales may be measured in cubic volume, weight scale,
cubic scale, or Scribner Decimal C 20-foot log scale. Forests are authorized to use
Scribner measure on salvage sales subject to the following conditions:
(1) Purchasers within the traditional market area are receptive and desirous of MBF
measured sales.
(2) The sale must meet the definition of a salvage sale as defined in FSH 2435.05.
The removal of salvage must be the primary objective of the sale as identified in the
purpose and need in the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation.
Salvage plus sanitation, or Salvage plus stand improvement or Salvage plus
regeneration is permitted but the removal of salvage must represent the primary
objective of the timber sale.
(3) The minimum sawtimber tree specification will be 10 inches DBH.
(4) The sale volume is likely to deteriorate during the term of the contract.
b. Thinning sales. Tree thinning sales may be measured in cubic volume (tree
measurement), or weight scale. Thinning sales consist of intermediate cuttings (FSH
2470.5) where the primary purpose and need is to reduce stand density to improve
growth and yield or other stand density related objectives (i.e., fuels reduction).
Thinning sales may be sold as scaled sales subject to the following conditions:
(1) Thinning sales for which a scaling method, such as weight scaling, is the most
economic method of measuring volume on the sale. For example, a multi-product
thinning sale with a significant volume of non-sawtimber material which will be sold
by weight.
(2) Cruising to tree measurement error standards is precluded by on-the-ground
conditions or the cruise for the sale did not pass check cruise standards or some other
condition.
c. The only other exception to TMS is when a timber sale contract contains provision
WO-C2.355# - Designation by Prescription (4/04), these sales must be scaled.
2441 - DESIGNATING TIMBER FOR CUTTING
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2400-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/21/2014
DURATION: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
2440
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FSM 2400 - TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2440 - DESIGNATING, CRUISING, SCALING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
Guidelines for designating timber are in FSH and R5 FSH 2409.12, Chapter 70.
2442 - TIMBER CRUISING
2442.03 - Policy
Cruise all timber sales in Region 5 to the standards and requirements in FSH and R5 FSH
2409.12.
2442.1 - Volume Estimators
In preparing timber sales that use green tons as the unit of measure in A2 of the 2400-6 contract,
use the following pounds per gross cubic foot weight factors. These factors are to be applied to
gross cubic foot volume as developed by the National Cruise System software. The following
data are applicable to green sales only.
1. For Sawlog product (trees greater than 10.0 inches DBH):
SPECIES
PP, JP
SP
WF, RF
DF
IC
LP
All Other
Pounds per
Gross Cubic Foot
68
69
69
63
58
55
Contact Regional Measurement Specialist
2. For Biomass product, trees less than 10.0 inches DBH (utilizing branches, foliage):
Pounds per
SPECIES
Gross Cubic Foot
PP, JP
80
SP
80
WF, RF
86
DF
84
IC
86
LP
60
All Other
Contact Regional Measurement Specialist
3. For small logs (from trees less than 10.0 inches DBH), utilizing boles only:
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2400-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/21/2014
DURATION: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
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FSM 2400 - TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2440 - DESIGNATING, CRUISING, SCALING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
SPECIES
PP, JP
SP
WF, RF
DF
IC
LP
All Other
Pounds per
Gross Cubic Foot
71
71
71
74
72
60
Contact Reg. Meas. Spec.
Regionally approved electronic spreadsheets may be used to estimate product weights.
Exceptions to this data may be used based on site specific weight studies that have been
approved by the Regional Measurement Specialist.
2442.2 - Cruise Plan
Prepare a cruise plan for all sales with an estimated value of more than $2000.
2442.21 Sampling Error Standards for Designing Cruises
Sampling error standards for timber cruises that estimate timber volume for stewardship
contracts are the same as those for timber sale cruises and are found in FSH 2409.12.
2443 - SCALING TIMBER SALE PRODUCTS AFTER FELLING.
2443.03 - Policy
Use the Quality Control Group (QCG) established within the region to maintain scaling quality.
Encourage sample scaling where timber sale conditions permit.
2443.04 - Responsibility
2443.04c - Forest Supervisor
4. Forest Supervisors shall:
a. Use qualified scaling services to scale logs.
b. Request and obtain approval from the Assistant Regional Forester, Natural
Resource Management, before using scaling locations outside R-5. Submit
appropriate documentation, such as proposed yard agreement or addendum, with the
request for approval.
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2400-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/21/2014
DURATION: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
2440
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FSM 2400 - TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2440 - DESIGNATING, CRUISING, SCALING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
c. Provide utilization training to sale administration personnel and check scaling
training to QCG personnel.
2443.04d - Contracting Officer
Contracting Officers shall agree to sample scaling rather than scaling all logs when cost savings
and acceptable accuracy results.
Forest Service Representatives shall monitor each timber sale to ensure adequate sampling when
using sample scaling.
2443.1 - Scaling Procedures and Methods
In addition to FSH 2409.11 and FSH 2409.11a, refer to R5 FSH 2409.15, chapter 20 for
Regional sample scaling, standards, guidelines and procedures.
2443.2 - Scaling Quality Control Program
Refer to R5 FSH 2409.15, chapter 20 for Regional check scaling objectives, standards,
procedures and organization.
2443.23 - Check Scaling and Reporting
Refer to FSH and R5 FSH 2409.15, Section 23.2 for check scaling guidelines and for frequency
and reporting requirements.
2443.24 - Resolving Scaling Complaints Including Adjustments
Consider adjustments to scaled volume only if conditions described in FSH 2409.15 are
applicable. Normally, do not make adjustments if the problem is resolved within 10 working
days after discovery or notification.
2443.4 - Alternate Scaling Services
Use approved third party scaling organizations to scale timber from all log scaled sales in Region
5.
2444 - TIMBER ACCOUNTABILITY
2444.03 - Policy
The accountability system must account for unscaled products. Unless otherwise authorized by
the Regional Forester, use the system defined in FSH and R5 FSH 2409.15, Section 27, and
implemented by the timber sale contract.
R5 SUPPLEMENT 2400-2014-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 3/21/2014
DURATION: This supplement expires 5 years from the effective date unless superseded or removed earlier.
2440
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FSM 2400 - TIMBER MANAGEMENT
CHAPTER 2440 - DESIGNATING, CRUISING, SCALING, AND ACCOUNTABILITY
2444.2 - Timber Accountability Audits
Refer to FSH and R5 FSH 2409.15, Section 28 for audit procedures.