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CHAPTER 20 - SITE DELINEATION AND MAPPING
21 - ADVANCE PREPARATION.
Advance work in mapping and organization must be accomplished before actual field
measurement of vegetation can begin. Procedures for calculating and reconciling Location areas
and delineating Sites are described in the sections that follow.
22 - LOCATIONS.
Assign permanent "Locations" which subdivide Forests for the purpose of orientation and
acreage accountability.
22.1 - Acreage Accountability.
Before the area figures for a specific Location are used, they shall be updated to reflect current
ownership status.
The sum of the individual Location areas must balance to District and Forest total net and gross
acres and be consistent with "Land Areas of the National Forest System" (FS 383).
22.2 - Size and Area Subdivision.
The optimum size of Locations is 600 to 800 acres. Maximum areas of up to 1200 acres are
permissible where lack of identifiable boundary features preclude use of optimum areas. The
optimum size may be exceeded when the entire Location is (1) grassland, (2) other ownership, or
(3) wilderness or primitive area. The size should be small enough to keep the number of Sites in
each to a manageable number, usually less than 100 per Location.
Locations are subdivided using TES maps, Range Allotments, contour maps and stereo pairs of
resource aerial photography. Avoid changes in Location boundaries. If changes are necessary,
approval of the Forest Supervisor is required, and appropriate change to the Site records must be
made. Do not change Location boundaries unless compelling justification is provided.
In order to achieve consistency with the "Land Area of the National Forest System" it is required
that Location boundaries do not cross Forest or District lines. In addition, Location boundaries
should be made to conform to county boundaries, wilderness boundaries, primitive area
boundaries, National Recreation Area boundaries, and other classified area boundaries. Use state
or county lines if possible or locatable in the field. If political boundaries are not recognized at
the Location level, they must be recognized at the Site level.
All Location boundaries must be located by following natural physiographic or permanent manmade features that are identifiable and "permanent" on the ground. Identifiable features suitable
for Location boundaries include the following:
R3 AMENDMENT 2409.21e-98-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/21/1998
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.21E – TIMBER MANAGEMENT CONTROL HANDBOOK
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1. Physiographic Features.
a. Major and spur ridges.
b. Mesa or canyon rims.
c. Stream courses.
d. Lake shores.
e. Talus slopes and rock glaciers.
f. Avalanche paths.
g. Major changes in slope percent.
h. Aspect.
i. Soil parent materials.
2. Vegetation differences, (if visible and relatively permanent).
a. TES map units.
b. Forest vs. nonforest.
c. Conifer vs. hardwood.
3. Man-made features.
a. Right-of-way (permanent roads, powerlines, ditches, etc.)
b. Fences.
c. Stock driveways.
d. Ownership or land survey lines.
e. State and county lines.
22.3 - Location Area Calculations.
When the permanent Location boundaries have been established on aerial photographs, transfer
the boundaries to the index maps using photo interpretation procedures. Determine the area of
each new Location and balance to the known District and Forest totals as published in "Land
Areas of the National Forest System." Acres will balance within a reasonable degree of
tolerance (usually .05%).
R3 AMENDMENT 2409.21e-98-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/21/1998
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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FSH 2409.21E – TIMBER MANAGEMENT CONTROL HANDBOOK
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22.4 - Location Number.
Each Location will be assigned a permanent, unique, 6-digit identification number. Numbers
must be unique throughout a proclaimed National Forest.
22.5 - Procedure for Changing Location Boundaries.
Boundary changes should be made infrequently and only for very good reasons. Changes shall
be initiated by the District Ranger and approved by the Forest Supervisor (section 20.04a).
22.51 - Methods.
The major constraint in moving boundary lines is that the data must also be moved for each Site
affected. Change both the paper files and computer files.
22.52 - Paper File.
Physically move the records for each Site affected from their old Location file to the new file.
Renumber each document with the new identifier so that they are not likely to be refiled in the
old Location some time in the future.
The person making the change must also decide how Sites that are split when the boundary is
moved should be handled. Depending on the size of the piece created, it may be decided to
duplicate the records so they appear in both Locations.
22.53 - Computer Files.
These consist of tabular and, where GIS is operational, map data.
1. Recalculate the acreages of all Locations affected by the change and enter the new
figures and information for each Location.
2. Move the Sites from the old Location to the new Location in the data base.
3. For Sites that are split, make the changes in the data base to match what you have
done in the paper file.
4. Double check the acres and changes to them so that they add up to the totals
determined in step 1 for the new boundaries.
23 - SITES.
Sites are most often delineated as stands of vegetation which are plant communities possessing
sufficient uniformity in regard to species, age, vigor, structure, size and density as to be
distinguishable from adjacent communities.
R3 AMENDMENT 2409.21e-98-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/21/1998
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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Further, such a plant community should be characterized by occupying a topographic position so
unique in soils, aspect, slope, precipitation and solar isolation as to affect species composition,
tree growth, maturity, and regeneration to a constant degree.
However, Sites may also be devoid of vegetation such as rock slides, lakes and ponds.
When vegetation is changed by treatment action and part of a Site or Sites change according to
the above criteria, new Sites are created and tracked in the system.
23.1 - Area Accountability.
The total area of Sites in a Location should add up to the area of the Location. If not, reconcile
differences.
23.2 - Site Delineation Rules.
23.2a - Boundaries That Must Be Used.
Site boundaries shall not cross the following (reference FSH 2409.26d, Chapter 10):
1. Administrative and Proclaimed Forest Boundaries (Primary Base Series).
2. District Boundaries (Primary Base Series).
3. Ownership Lines (Primary Base Series).
4. State Lines (Primary Base Series).
5. Location Boundaries (Location Overlay).
6. Range Allotment Boundaries (Range Allotment Overlay).
7. Watershed Boundaries (Watershed Overlay - If Forest Policy).
8. Relatively Permanent Boundaries displayed on the Primary Base Maps such
as Resource Natural Area, Wilderness and Experimental Forests.
9. County Boundaries not mapped at Location level (Primary Base Series).
R3 AMENDMENT 2409.21e-98-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/21/1998
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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23.2b - Vegetation and Site Characteristics.
Sites shall be further delineated using the characteristics listed below. These attributes will
require professional interpretation and judgment to integrate the most pertinent and important
features. In general, proceed from the clearly separable and progress towards the more subtle.
Proceed in the following sequence:
1. Delineate forest from nonforest.
2. Delineate nonforest into vegetated and nonvegetated.
3. Separate nonvegetated lands into appropriate classes: water, rock, etc.
4. Delineate nonforest vegetation into cover types from tone and texture and underlying
TES layer.
5. Delineate forest vegetation into cover types. Consider the underlying TES layer.
6. Further refine cover types by size, density and structure and underlying TES layer.
7. Further delineate meaningful breakdowns based on major slope breaks, changes in
aspect, landform, and productivity and underlying TES layer.
23.2c - Site Size.
Sites may be as large as necessary. Sites should not be less than 10 acres. Sites smaller than 10
acres may be delineated if necessary, such as in foreground retention viewing areas, or key
wildlife Site. Avoid small Site creation since updating of many small Sites can cause an
overwhelming amount of work for the user and increase the cost and complexity in all aspects of
the system.
23.3 - Vegetation Changes.
All Sites greater than 10 acres which have had harvest or intermediate cuts, range restoration,
prescribed or natural burns, blown down, or any other treatment resulting in a major change in
vegetation characteristics must be grouped or delineated as Sites and assigned unique numbers.
There may be other reasons for Site boundary changes, such as land exchanges, future
classification, etc. Make the map changes and describe both the activity that took place and the
new vegetation condition that resulted in the tabular data base.
R3 AMENDMENT 2409.21e-98-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/21/1998
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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23.4 - Site Number.
Use Site number (Site ID) to link the Site maps to the integrated relational data base and to
inplace information about vegetation and the treatments applied. To do this, assign a unique Site
number to each Site within a Location. Up to 4 digits can be used.
24 - PHOTO MAPPING.
24.1 - Site Mapping.
Site boundaries most often are determined through aerial photo interpretation. However, do not
determine Site boundaries solely from aerial photos. If District index maps are complete,
transfer Site boundaries directly to resource photos for field inventory. If there is an obvious
discrepancy between the index map and field photos, it should be resolved and corrected. Any
change in a boundary must be accounted for in the Site recordkeeping system. (See Users Guide
for procedures.)
24.2 - Photo Delineation.
Where Index Maps are not complete, the following procedure is used to delineate Sites on stereo
pairs of resource photos after Location boundaries have been designated and labeled:
1. Block in effective area of each photo, endlap first, then sidelap in approximately onehalf and draw a straight line on the left-hand photo. Transfer this line under stereo to the
adjoining photo. Confine all mapping to the effective area. Bridge type lines under stereo across
to adjoining photo before starting mapping on the photo.
2. Determine the photo scale for the effective area on each photograph and record on the
back of the photo.
3. Delineate the Site according to rules in sections 23.2a and 23.2b. When finished,
transfer the Site delineations to the Site overlay.
25 - RECORD KEEPING.
It is the responsibility of Forest and District personnel to maintain accurate and current records
of all inventory processes. This includes index map, field photomosaic maps, field photos,
Location folders, Site folders, data bases, current inspection documentation, project activity
summary records, and contract specifications.
Periodic reviews will be made by Regional Office personnel to insure complete and accurate
documentation.
R3 AMENDMENT 2409.21e-98-1
EFFECTIVE DATE: 04/21/1998
DURATION: This amendment is effective until superseded or removed.
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25.1 - Index Maps.
Site index maps normally created from overlays on orthophotos must contain complete Site
boundaries and current ownership boundaries (land status records). These overlays should
include complete and unique numerical identities for each Site, along with a map key, scale, and
north arrow. (See Chapter 10.)
25.2 - Location Files.
Location files must contain both Location and Site folders. Keep the Site description summaries,
Site diagnosis, planned/accomplished Site treatment records, and other detail records.
Acreages must total to known figures. Keep detailed Site printouts on microfiche or in the
Location paper filing system.
25.3 - Computer Data Base.
The computerized District Site data base must be consistent with the index maps and Site folder
information.
25.4 - Inspection Records.
Maintain documentation of the quality checks for a minimum of 1 year after the field season or
contract duration unless specified otherwise in the inventory plan. File inspection worksheets
with calculations along with the typed overlay and photocopy of check photo in the Location file.