California Code of Regulations
Title 14 - Natural Resources
Division 1.5 - Department of Forestry and Fire Protection
Chapter 4 - Forest Practices
Subchapter 6 - Southern Forest District Rules
Article 3 - Silvicultural Methods
Section 953 - Silvicultural Objectives

Universal Citation: 14 CA Code of Regs 953

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 38, September 20, 2024

The objectives of this article are to describe standard Silvicultural Systems and to provide for alternatives that, when applied, shall meet the objectives of the FPA (PRC §§ 4512 and 4513). The RPF shall select systems and alternatives which achieve maximum sustained production of high quality timber products.

The THP shall designate one or a combination of Regeneration Methods, prescriptions or Intermediate Treatments described by this article. If a method, prescription, or treatment not defined in the Rules (see 14 CCR § 895.1) is to be used, an Alternative Prescription shall be included in the Plan.

The assessment of maximum sustained production of high quality timber products is based on:

(a) Regeneration Methods, Intermediate Treatments and prescriptions described in the Rules which establish standards. These methods, treatments, prescriptions, and standards shall not be utilized to permit harvesting of growing stock in a manner that will significantly delay reaching or maintaining maximum sustained production.

(b) Published yield tables or other tools which can be validated and which serve as a point of reference for evaluating and selecting Silvicultural Systems and their implementation.

(c) The Sustained Yield Plan (SYP). The SYP establishes the flow of forest products from managed Timberlands, and shall demonstrate the achievement of maximum sustained production.

(d) An assessment of maximum sustained production of high quality timber products is not required for a harvest pursuant to 14 CCR § 953.4.

Because these lands are designated as defensible space or Fuelbreak areas, the wood production potential of these lands is compatible with the lowest Site Classifications and they shall be considered site IV Timberlands for Stocking purposes.

1. Amendment of NOTE filed 2-21-79 as procedural and organizational; effective upon filing (Register 79, No. 9).
2. Repealer and new section filed 1-11-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 3).
3. Amendment of section heading and section filed 1-7-94; operative 3-1-94 (Register 94, No. 1).
4. Amendment filed 5-16-94; operative 5-16-94 (Register 94, No. 20).
5. New subsection (d) filed 11-19-97; operative 1-1-98 (Register 97, No. 47).
6. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 12-20-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 51).
7. Amendment of second paragraph and subsection (d) and amendment of NOTE filed 8-9-2019 as an emergency; operative 8-14-2019 (Register 2019, No. 32). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 2-10-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
8. Amendment of second paragraph and subsection (d) and amendment of NOTE refiled 1-30-2020 as an emergency; operative 2-10-2020 (Register 2020, No. 5). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 5-11-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
9. Amendment of second paragraph and subsection (d) and amendment of NOTE refiled 4-29-2020 as an emergency; operative 5-11-2020 (Register 2020, No. 18). A Certificate of Compliance must be transmitted to OAL by 8-10-2020 or emergency language will be repealed by operation of law on the following day.
10. Certificate of Compliance as to 4-29-2020 order, including amendment of first paragraph, subsection (d) and NOTE, transmitted to OAL 7-24-2020 and filed 9-17-2020; amendments effective 1-1-2021 pursuant to Government Code section 11343.4(b)(1) and Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 2020, No. 38). Filing deadlines specified in Government Code section 11349.3(a) extended 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-40-20 and an additional 60 calendar days pursuant to Executive Order N-66-20.
11. Editorial correction of HISTORY 10 (Register 2022, No. 18).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 4551 and 4561, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4513, 4528, 4551.5, 4552 and 4561, Public Resources Code.

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