2409.12
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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
CHIPPEWA NF (REGION 9)
CASS LAKE, MN
FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING
CHAPTER 60 – QUALITY CONTROL
Supplement No.: R9 Chippewa 2409.12-2003-6
Effective Date: October 31, 2003
Duration: This supplement is effective until superseded or removed.
Approved: NORMAN L. WAGONER
Forest Supervisor
Date Approved: 10/28/2003
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 2409.12-2003-5 to Chapter 70.
New Document
R9 Chippewa 2409.12-2003-6
3 Pages
Superseded Document(s)
(Supplement Number and
Effective Date)
R9 Chippewa 2409.12-97-2, dtd 5-97
3 Pages
Digest: In order by code, summarize the main additions, revisions, or removal of direction
incorporated in this supplement.
60 – Reissues CNF Supplement 97-2 in MS Word format, corrects typographical or technical
errors, and removes information duplicated in the basic handbook.
60.4 – Changes cruiser re-certifications to an annual requirement and reduces minimum number
of trees to be re-measured during check cruises.
R9 CHIPPEWA SUPPLEMENT 2003-6
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 31, 2003
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
2409.12
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FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING
CHAPTER 60 – QUALITY CONTROL
60.4 – Responsibility
1. Duties and Responsibilities. The Forest Check Cruiser is responsible for coordinating and
carrying out the duties listed below, and reports to the Timber Sale Contracting Officer on
matters related to check cruising.
The Forest Check Cruiser will:
a) Perform sale check and individual cruiser check cruises as needed to meet WO and RO
standards.
b) Help recommend corrective action for sales with unsatisfactory check cruises.
c) Annually review check cruise records or conduct check cruises for the purpose of recertifying of production cruisers.
d) Conduct a joint check cruise with each District Check Cruiser on a minimum of one sale
per year.
e) Maintain check cruise records for all Forest cruisers, including contractors.
f) Train and certify new cruisers and contract cruisers, and conduct cruising refresher
workshops as needed.
District Rangers will designate by Delegation of Authority and Responsibility letter (file code
1230) a District Check Cruiser to be responsible for check cruising sales/cruisers on their units.
The District Check Cruiser will:
a) Check cruise district sales per WO and RO standards.
b) File the results of check cruises in the appropriate sale folders.
c) Send copies of Sale check cruises and Production Cruiser check cruises to the Forest
Check Cruiser.
e) In consultation with the Forest Check Cruiser, recommend corrective action for
sales and individual cruisers with unsatisfactory check cruises.
To facilitate check cruising, cruisers will use flagging to identify all measured trees. On sample
tree cruises, write the payment unit number, sample tree number and cruiser’s initials on the
flagging with an indelible marker. On variable plot cruises, cruisers will mark plot center to the
best of their ability given the ground or snow conditions. Assuming snow, the suggested method
is to snap off a piece of brush at or near plot center and tie a piece of flagging to the remaining
stem. The tip of the snapped-off stem will be used as plot center. Hang a piece of flagging at
eye level, over or near plot center (the snapped-off stem), and write the payment unit number,
plot number and cruiser’s initials on this piece of flagging. In addition, flag or paint the sample
tree(s) on each plot.
R9 CHIPPEWA SUPPLEMENT 2003-6
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 31, 2003
DURATION: Effective until superseded or removed
2409.12
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FSH 2409.12 – TIMBER CRUISING
CHAPTER 60 – QUALITY CONTROL
2. Sale Check Cruise Standards
To be considered an acceptable sale cruise, the volume of the plots/trees as determined by
production cruisers may not exceed + 5% of the Check Cruisers volume for the same plots/trees.
This will be based on a minimum of 25 trees per sale.
Tree Count Standards The following tolerances are allowed for tree counts using the sample
tree method of cruising. The basis of comparison will be the Check Cruisers tree count. Tree
count checks are to be conducted to 10% of the sales < 2,000 ccf and all sales over 2,000 ccf.
Spruce and pine sawtimber = + 5%
Aspen, spruce, balsam fir, and pine pulpwood = + 10%
Mixed hardwoods including paper birch = + 20%
Additional Items For area based cruises, follow directions in Chapter 50 of the Timber Cruising
Handbook, 2409.12. For all cruises, check applicable items from the Timber Sale Evaluation
Report, exhibit 2, Chapter 60 of the Timber Cruising Handbook.