2409.12_40
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
NORTHERN REGION (REGION 1)
MISSOULA, MT
FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 40 – CRUISE PLANNING, DATA RECORDING, AND CRUISE REPORT
Supplement No.: 2409.12-2007-1
Effective Date: May 13, 2007
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: /s/ Kathleen A. McAllister for:
THOMAS L. TIDWELL
Regional Forester
Date Approved: 05/13/2007
Posting Instructions: Supplements are numbered consecutively by Handbook 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 handbook was 2409.12-2006-1 to chapter 10.
New Document
2409.12-2007-1
2 Page
Superseded Document(s) by
Issuance Number and
Effective Date
2409.12-97-4, 07/21/1997
2 Page
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
41.1 – Removes obsolete direction that all Saw timber sales in excess of 2000CCF (1mm bd.ft.)
must be check cruised.
The direction included in this chapter has been developed through the coordinated efforts of
Regions 1, 2, 3, and 4. This coordination was initiated by the leadership of each Region under
the concept of shared services. All four Regions must concur on future changes to this direction.
R1 SUPPLEMENT: 2409.12-2007-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: May 13, 2007
DURATION: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
2409.12_40
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FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING HANDBOOK
CHAPTER 40 – CRUISE PLANNING, DATA RECORDING, AND CRUISE REPORTING
41 - CRUISE PLANNING
41.1 – Sampling Error Standards. The parent text prescribes standard maximum sampling
errors. These standards are defined at two decimal places, for example, 10 percent means
10.00 percent.
41.31 - How to Use Pre-Cruise Data. Sometimes a silvicultural prescription or a need for
resource protection dictates a designation method that is not the most cost effective in terms
of cruising. When this occurs give priority to the prescription and/or resource consideration.
When deviating from the most cost efficient method, document the reasons in the cruise
plan.
43.1 - Information to Report. Maintain sufficient records to provide an audit trail of how the
sale contract volume was derived, from cruise plan to the final calculation of net volume
entered in the A provisions of the timber sale contract. As a minimum, maintain the
following information:
1. The original cruise design, including all changes to the original plan. Include the
name and signature of the person who prepared the plan or changes.
2. Cruise implementation notes that indicate what was actually done on the ground,
such as: maps, tallies, paint colors actually used, and any deviations from the cruise design.
3. Cruise reports from cruise software, including data listing and key-file
components.
4. Work sheets that document any adjustments made to the volume shown on the
cruise reports.
5. Traverse data and reports (GPS or azimuth-distance).