Although the following practices are not mandatory under M.G.L.
c. 132, §§ 40 through 46, their adoption is strongly recommended
because they will benefit both the landowner and the public. If any of these
practices are made part of an approved forest cutting plan, they become legal
requirements.
(1)
Wildlife
Habitat Protection. Wildlife of various kinds have special habitat
requirements. The harvesting of trees creates changes which may benefit some
species and harm others. Silvicultural systems may be designed to improve
habitat conditions for some species or to protect habitat. Landowners seeking
specific information of species habitat requirements can refer to the document:
"Forest Wildlife of Massachusetts" by DeGraaf and Richards, available through
the Cooperative Extension Service, or can ask their Service Forester for
advice.
(2)
Vernal
Pools. Vernal Pools provide critically important habitat for a
number of rare and endangered species in Massachusetts. Certain precautions
should be taken when harvesting in the vicinity of such pools to minimize
impacts and preserve the character and physical environment that these species
require. Although these pools may only actually be filled with water for a
brief period of time in the spring, the most important measure that can be
taken to protect the habitat is to recognize pool locations even in the "dry"
season and take precautions to preserve the local environment around the pools.
Several standards within 302 CMR 16.00 apply to Certified Vernal Pools.
Application of those standards, and the guidelines listed below, to all Vernal
Pools will further protect and enhance these critical habitats.
(a) Heavy equipment should not be permitted
in Vernal Pool depressions at any time of the year. It is also necessary to
avoid locating landings, skid roads or haul roads through or near these
depressions. It is important that the depressions not fill in with sediment
from nearby areas of disturbed soil.
(b) Similarly, stacking logs or otherwise
creating soil compaction in Vernal Pool depressions should not be
permitted.
(c) Operating logging
machinery within approximately 50 feet of a Vernal Pool during mud season
(generally March and April), should be avoided. Ruts deeper than six inches can
disrupt migration routes of endangered salamanders. There should be no ruts
deeper than six inches within 200 feet of a vernal pool. Similarly, the actual
Vernal Pool depressions should not be physically altered so that its ability to
seasonally hold water is impaired.
(d) Tree tops or slash should not be allowed
to fall or be placed into Vernal Pool depressions. While many amphibians use
downed woody material to attach their eggs to, no additional material should be
added to a pool. If tops or branches do fall into a depression, they should be
removed. Similarly, existing natural woody material should not
be removed from Vernal Pool depressions.
(e) It is important that the temperature and
relative humidity at the soil surface be maintained in the cool, moist
condition necessary for amphibians that use vernal pools. Thus, it is important
that these vernal pools and an area within 50 feet of these pools be maintained
in a shaded and mostly undisturbed condition.
1. Clearcutting should not be permitted in
these areas. Some forest cover must be maintained to provide continuous shade
and protection from high temperatures at the soil surface. It is necessary to
not leave only trees with small or damaged tops, or those that appear to be
dead or dying. Established understory vegetation such as mountain laurel,
hemlock, or naturally established advanced regeneration can provide shade.
Similarly, shade can be provided by vigorous hardwood sprouting following a
harvest.
2. Disturbance of the
mineral soil within 50 feet of a Vernal Pool depression should be avoided for
several reasons. First, it is important that sediment not accumulate in Vernal
Pool depressions. Second, the exposure of mineral soil removes the natural
insulation provided by the accumulated litter on the forest floor. This litter
can be several inches thick, and can keep actual soil moisture and temperature
from getting too high, even if exposed to direct sunlight. For these reasons,
it would be best to operate in the vicinity of Vernal Pool depressions when the
ground is frozen and covered with snow. Under other dry conditions, it would be
advisable to not operate machinery within 40 feet of a pool depression, and to
winch timber (if any is cut within this radius) out of this area. Finally, it
would be advisable not to operate within 50 feet of a Vernal Pool depression
during mud season, so as to not create ruts.
(3)
Isolated Vegetated
Wetlands. These are areas that are generally saturated by
groundwater or covered by surface water long enough to produce hydric soil
conditions and which, under normal circumstances, support wetland plant
communities. Isolated wetlands have many of the same characteristics as
bordering vegetated wetlands, except that they do not border on a pond, lake,
or stream, and are therefore not defined as wetland resource areas by M.G.L. c.
131, § 40.
Isolated wetlands may perform some important water quality
functions, and may also provide wildlife habitat. In order to maintain their
ability to perform these functions it is suggested that the standards required
for Bordering Vegetated Wetlands also be applied to isolated wetlands, that is;
avoid them if possible, cross them only when the ground is dry, frozen, or
otherwise stable, and harvest no more than 50% of the basal area at any one
time.
(4)
Riparian areas. Land immediately adjacent to streams
and rivers (riparian areas) are important for the protection of water quality,
fish and wildlife habitat. Forested riparian areas filter sediment, pollutants,
and nutrients from surface runoff, slow water movement, and reduce flooding,
provide streams with shade and a source of nutrients, provide habitat for fish
and wildlife, and serve as migration corridors for animals. Filter strips along
streams and water bodies serve to protect water quality during timber
harvesting (see:302 CMR 16.05:
Standards). The following guidelines may be used to
provide additional protection for sensitive streams (tributaries to water
supply reservoirs, high-quality trout streams, and rare species habitat) as
well as protection for fish and wildlife habitat.
(a) In riparian areas runoff is slowed as it
moves across and through plants, leaves, and other debris on the forest floor,
dropping sediment carried in the water. This settling process keeps sediments
and nutrients from flowing into lakes and streams. Some of the water soaks into
the soil reducing peak flow levels in streams and replenishing groundwater that
helps maintain stream flows. Plant roots take up nutrients that have dissolved
in the runoff and soaked into the soil, further reducing the amount of
pollution carried into lakes and streams. It is important to protect the
characteristics of riparian areas that remove sediments and nutrients, prevent
erosion, and control flooding.
1. Maintain a
15-foot no-cut zone along high quality streams, tributaries to water supply
reservoirs, and streams that provide habitat for rare species.
2. Use variable width filter strips
(see:302 CMR 16.04: Standards) for
high quality trout streams and streams that provide habitat for rare
species.
3. Avoid soil compaction
and rutting within 200 feet of streams.
(b) Trees and shrubs along stream banks shade
streams, reducing summer water temperatures and increasing dissolved oxygen in
the water. Cold-water fish such as trout require cool water and high levels of
dissolved oxygen. Stream shading is critical for maintaining cold-water
fisheries.
Plants along the stream banks are an important source of
nutrients for stream ecosystems. Leaves, seeds, fruits, and invertebrates that
fall into the water from overhanging plants can account for up to 75% of the
nutrients in some streams. Tree limbs and branches that fall into streams
provide cover for fish and other aquatic organisms, as well as perches and
basking areas for reptiles, amphibians, and birds. Large trees that fall into
streams often create riffle areas and plunge pools, critical habitat for fish
and other aquatic organisms.
The roots of trees growing on or near stream banks stabilize
the soil and reduce erosion. Exposed tree roots and undercut banks along
streams also provide important cover for wildlife.
1. Maintain a 15-foot, no-cut zone along
high-quality trout streams and streams that provide rare species
habitat.
2. Minimize the cutting of
trees directly on the stream bank. Allow large trees and snags to remain within
the riparian zone. Do not create large openings in the canopy within these
areas, especially along trout streams.
3. Avoid, to the extent possible, the use of
riprap to stabilize banks.
(c) Riparian areas are particularly valuable
habitats for wildlife. Songbird diversity and abundance tend to be higher in
riparian forests than in other forested areas. Many birds, reptiles, and
amphibians are dependent on streams and areas adjacent to them (water thrushes,
kingfisher, mink, wood turtle, two-lined, dusky, and spring salamanders).
Forested riparian areas are also important migration and dispersal corridors
for wildlife. Habitat quality can be maintained in riparian zones by protecting
certain habitat characteristics. Reptiles and amphibians may be concentrated in
areas close to streams; minimizing disturbance in these areas will also help
protect local populations of these species.
1.
Maintain areas within 200 feet of a stream in a forested condition.
2. Minimize the use of heavy equipment within
200 feet of streams and other water bodies.
3. Preserve important habitat characteristics
within 200 feet of streams and water bodies (stone walls, rock jumbles,
understory tangles, down logs, hollow logs, snags and trees with
cavities).
(5)
Engineering and Logging Guidelines are listed in the
BMP Manual.
(6)
Contracts. A written contract
for a timber sale is critically important to insure that the landowner and
operator are both aware of their rights and responsibilities. In some
instances, the landowner should require a performance bond. The landowner
should be assured that the operator carries adequate insurance. In many
instances, the parties may find it desirable to make the approved forest
cutting plan a part of the timber sale contract.
