8.1 Supervision of Operations
8.2 Harvesting
8.3 Log Presentation
8.4 Extraction Systems
8.5 Log Storage and Transportation Systems
8.6 Weather Limitations on Harvesting
8.7 Log Scaling/Grading/Measuring
8.8 Log Ownership
8.9 Monitoring and Evaluation of Harvesting Operations
8.10 Post-harvesting Activities
8.11 Completion of Operations
OBJECTIVES To prevent the entry of soil or turbid water into watercourses. To minimise ground disturbance and traffic in the area. To maintain the productive and regenerative capacity of the forest. To harvest the area effectively and efficiently. To adopt and maintain appropriate safety standards at all
times. |
OBJECTIVES To ensure that competent and experienced supervisory staff direct all harvesting operations. To ensure that supervisory staff provide on-the-job guidance and training so that staff responsible for particular tasks understand the requirements of those tasks. To inspect harvesting operations regularly to ensure they are
being carried out safely and in accordance with the harvesting agreement, the
Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific and company
requirements. |
Adequate numbers of supervisory staff should be deployed, with the number depending on the size of the operation and company structure.
Frequency of inspections
The company supervisor should inspect each operation on a regular basis and check compliance with the Code. Any non-conformance with guidelines should be acted on immediately.
Skills of supervisory staff
Experienced in the planning and supervision of harvesting operations.
Working knowledge of the Long Term and Operational Plans and the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific.
Ability to communicate clearly with all harvesting crews, other company staff, Forest Authority personnel and resource owners.
Working knowledge of all elements of harvesting operations, including occupational health and safety of the workers, machine operation, maintenance schedules and basic repairs.
Possession of current first aid knowledge as indicated in the ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forest Work.
Duties and responsibilities
Direct involvement in all levels of pre-harvest planning.
Train and familiarise staff with:
- the operational and safety requirements of sound logging practice;Co-ordinate harvesting operations.
- company requirements in relation to the harvesting operation.
Direct supervision of harvesting operations to ensure compliance with:
- Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific;Maintain and submit accurate records as required by the Forest Authority, company and other relevant agencies.
- Long-Term and Operational plans; and
- ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forest Work.
Render first aid if required.
Arrange rapid evacuation to hospital of any injured worker if required.
LIAISE WITH:
Forest Authority staff.
Planning Officer of the company.
Other forest and land management agencies with responsibilities for the proper conduct of aspects of harvesting operations.
Landowner(s) or their representatives.
OBJECTIVES To fell trees to maximise recovered log volume and value. To directionally fell trees to: minimise damage to residual trees and regeneration;To adopt safe practices. |
Harvesting can commence when:
the operational plan has been signed by the Forest Authority and Company;8.2.2 Tree Fellingall operators are familiar with the harvest area and have discussed the operational plan with the forest supervisor.
Testing tree soundness
Trees suspected of being unsound should be tested before felling.
Directional felling
Directional felling involves marking trees with a predetermined felling direction and is required to:
minimise damage to the felled tree as well as to standing trees intended to comprise the next harvest crop;facilitate easy log extraction and minimise ground disturbance (Figure 8-1);
avoid disturbance to buffer areas, watercourses and exclusion areas; and
prevent trees from hanging up during felling.
Figure 8-1: Directional Felling and Skid Track Location
Preparation
Plan the direction in which to fell the tree to facilitate extraction and reduce damage to potential crop trees.
Make sure that there are no dead limbs or hung-up branches.
Cut any vines still attached to the stem or trailing from the canopy. Vine cutting is best undertaken a year prior to harvesting.
Clear two alternative escape routes away from the tree to be felled (Figure 8-2).
Clear shrubs and saplings away from the base of the tree to provide an adequate working space.
Fellers should not feel obliged to cut trees they think are unsafe to fell.
Felling
Scarf and back-cut properly (Figure 8-3).
Retain hinge wood.
Use wedge where appropriate.
Once cutting of a tree is started, that tree must be felled.
Stump height
Stump height should be as low as practicable (<30 cm is preferable) to maximise merchantable volume.
Stump heights over 30 cm are acceptable:
- where butt defect is obvious (the tree can be cut immediately above this defect); orUsing machines for felling and removing hung-up trees- where a buttress exists (and it is not appropriate to trim), in which case the tree may be cut immediately above the buttress.
The use of machines to pull trees while they are being cut is prohibited.
Machines, fitted with international standard roll-bar protection, are preferable for use in dislodging hung-up trees.
Hung-up trees are to be removed before any more trees are harvested. If they cannot be removed immediately, the area should be well marked to signal the danger to other people.
Using other trees to knock down a hung up tree is not permitted.
Adopt ILO Code of Practice on Safety and Health in Forest Work.
Limitations
Adverse weather restrictions apply.
Figure 8-2: Tree Feller Escape Routes
Figure 8-3: Tree Felling Technique
OBJECTIVES To obtain the maximum log value possible from felled trees. To maximise log presentation at the stump, to reduce the
amount of cross-cutting needed at landings or log ponds. |
Completely cross-cut (buck) logs so that splitting does not occur when the log is moved during skidding.
Cross-cut boles and tops to obtain the maximum volume, consistent with highest value of saleable logs.
Trim all buttress flutes and side branches flush with the main stem to:
- gain maximum log quality and volume; andEnsure that cross-cuts are no more than 10° from vertical (Figure 8-4).
- reduce soil disturbance and assist skidding.
Use log nails or S nails on log ends to avoid end splitting and to maintain quality.
Figure 8-4: Log Cross-cutting
Cross-cutting safety
Do not stand on the trunk of the tree being cross-cut.
Beware of tension while cutting logs and if necessary make a cut on the compression side to reduce the tension before making the final cut.
Avoid using the tip of the chainsaw cutter bar as this can cause kickback.
Use an appropriate wedge to avoid having the chain of the saw getting pinched or caught in the log.
Avoid making the final cut while standing on the lower side of a tree if it is lying on a slope.
When making the final cut always stand on the compression side of the log.
Beware of overhead hazards.
OBJECTIVES To reduce soil compaction by using low ground pressure equipment. To minimise the area disturbed. To avoid damage to remaining trees, regeneration, watercourses and buffer zones. To implement and maintain appropriate safety standards at all
times. |
To provide assistance in matching extraction systems to various sites, slopes and soil types, the following table is provided:
|
|
SLOPE CLASS |
|||
0-15% |
15-35% |
35-60% |
60+% |
||
SOIL EROSION |
LOW |
C1-5 |
C1-5 |
C1, C5, C6 |
C5, C6 |
MODERATE |
C1-5 |
C1-5 |
C1, C5, C6 |
C5, C6 |
|
HIGH |
C2-5 |
C2-5 |
C5, C6 |
No Logging |
|
VERY HIGH |
C2-5 |
C5 |
No Logging |
No Logging |
C1 |
Crawler Tractor |
C2 |
Skidder/Forwarder |
C3 |
Flexible Track machines (FMC)/Low Ground Pressure
Tractors |
C4 |
Draught Animals/Human Beings |
C5 |
Helicopter |
C6 |
Skyline Yarding System |
Tractor blades should be raised or removed when travelling and skidding.
Pushing soil on skid tracks < 25% slope, other than that permitted for construction, is to be avoided.
Retain vegetation litter along tracks.
Reverse along skid tracks towards the log, wherever this can be done safely.
Use winches to pull trees to skid tracks from stumps.
Lift the end of the log off the ground, to avoid soil damage due to log drag. Logging arches will assist with this action.
Avoid damage to soil and standing trees and regeneration along skid track edges. Sacrificial trees may be used to minimise damage.
Cross-cut long logs to reduce skidding damage.
Prohibited skidder access within harvesting area
Within 10 metres of road cuttings or other banks that are more than 2 metres high.
In areas excluded from logging.
In watercourses, except at approved and properly constructed crossing points.
Within the limits of swamps or wet areas, except at approved crossing points.
Limitations
Wet weather restrictions apply.
8.4.3 Helicopter Logging
Requirements
Planning of operations should be done at the Operational Planning stage.
Comply with the appropriate government legislation.
Use experienced operators.
Have well defined procedures to minimise damage and maximise safety.
Have an effective communication system between aircraft and ground.
Fell undergrowth trees to prevent the long line snagging as it is being lowered.
Avoid felling future crop trees.
Fell dead spars and other hazards prior to extraction as the rotor downwash, or contact with the extracted log, can dislodge crowns and dead spars.
Helicopter requirements
A direct visual operation control window.
A lifting cradle with an on-board weighing system.
A long line with electronic release hooks at both ends that are operated by the pilot's controls.
A long line with 4 times the breaking strength of the helicopter lifting capacity.
Personnel requirements
All personnel working in the vicinity of the helicopter should be familiar with the safety rules which apply when working around helicopters.
Helmets with ear-muffs or chin straps, high visibility vests and steel capped boots must be worn by all personnel.
To reduce the chance of injury, ground crews must work on the upslope side of felled logs (i.e. start working from the top of the slope and work downslope).
8.4.4 Draught Animal and Human Skidding
This may involve, but is not restricted to, the use of human beings, elephants, buffaloes and horses.
Planning
Animal skidding should use short extraction distances (less than 400 m is recommended).
Maximum recommended downhill slope of between 25 and 35% is suggested for elephant logging.
Maximum recommended uphill slope of between 10 and 15% is suggested for elephant logging.
It is recommended that cutting and skidding be co-ordinated and start from the back of the harvest area so that animals don't have to walk over fallen logs that might lead to injury or reduced efficiency.
Human skidding should mainly be used in swamp forests to transport logs to portable railway systems for transportation out of the swamp.
Operations
Proper harnesses are essential to prevent injury to animals and human beings.
Skidding pans, sledges and sulkies can all be used to increase skidding efficiency.
Adequate water, food and veterinary care must be provided for animals.
8.4.5 Skyline Yarding
Requirements
Minimise damage to the harvesting area and residual trees.
Minimise the area of disturbed and compacted soil.
Implement and maintain safety standards at all times.
Planning
Skyline yarding systems are appropriate extraction systems for selection harvesting on steep sites (36% or more).
Harvesting of any area where 90% of the slope is over 35° with a skyline cable system requires approval from a supervising officer.
On steep sites watercourse buffer widths are to be interpreted as horizontal distance.
Operational guidelines
Logs must be fully suspended across all buffered watercourses (i.e. streams or gullies) or exclusion areas.
Cables may be pulled through buffers but cannot be dragged horizontally to the angle of pull.
To reduce ground disturbance:
- maximise log lift;
- maximise spar height;
- use intermediate supports; and
- reduce log size or the number of logs per pull.
OBJECTIVES To reduce log stockpiles in the forest by proper planning of the removal of logs soon after they are cut. To avoid stockpiling logs that are susceptible to decay or insect attack. To load and haul logs safely. |
Stockpile logs at well-drained roadside landings, accessible in wet weather.
Regular inspection
Inspect logs and apply appropriate control measures if insect or fungal attack is observed.
Limitations
Avoid stockpiling logs for more than 2 months.
Avoid stockpiling logs in cyclone/monsoon prone sites prior to the onset of the wet season.
Wet weather restrictions on the operation of landings apply.
8.5.2 Water Transport
Logs with high density should be allowed to dry out if possible to reduce weight prior to transporting by water.
Logs tied together in rafts should be secured adequately to avoid loss and damage to other vessels on the waterway.
Sinker logs should be transported by barge whenever possible to reduce excessive use of non-commercial buoyant species.
As organic matter reduces oxygen demand and causes pollution, depositing log offcuts and bark in rivers should be avoided.
Soil damage to river banks at loading ponds should be minimised.
8.5.3 Road Transport
Grapple excavators and loader should be used for loading logs where possible.
Trucks must not be loaded in excess of their design capacity.
Side stanchions on trucks must be vertical after loading.
All loads are to be secured with at least two approved load binders. Each log must be secured by at least one approved log binder.
Protruding limbs or trailing material must be removed before the truck departs the loading point.
Transportation
Logging equipment can assist loaded trucks to:
move from the landing to the road; andTrucking
climb steep sections of road constructed according to an approved harvesting plan.
Observe posted speed limits and maximum (tare) weights for roads.
The load should be checked regularly enroute.
Unloading
Check that the side stanchions are secure before removing log binders.
All logs are to be removed by loaders or grapple excavators where possible.
All people other than the loader operator are to stay at least 20 metres from the truck during unloading.
The responsibility for defining when weather conditions restrict harvesting operations lies with the on-ground supervisor/manager. However, if they fail to comply with procedures, the Forest Authority Officer should take appropriate action.
OBJECTIVES To avoid operations at times of high safety risk. To prevent operations where ground conditions are so wet as to
cause severe and long-lasting damage to the soil and water values. |
Felling should cease when:
wind strength prevents accurate and safe directional felling;Skidding and/or road constructionground conditions are too slippery to allow the chainsaw operator to move safely and quickly away from the falling tree;
rivers are too low in the dry season to permit water transport of logs.
Skidding and road construction should cease when:
soils are saturated and muddy water or mud is flowing down a skid track for more than 10 metres;Provisional Harvesting Certificateblading of mud or soil is necessary to continue skidding (the affected section of the skid track must not be by-passed by opening up a new skid track or road);
soils are rutted to a depth of more than 30 cm below the original ground level over a section of 10 metres or longer.
water is ponded on the surface of the log landing in any area that is being worked;
trucks cannot move unassisted along the roads because of slippery conditions;
muddy water or mud runs in wheel ruts, which are more than 10 cm below the road surface, for a length greater than 50 metres;
no suitable areas are available;
the Forest Authority has issued a provisional completion certificate.
A Provisional Harvesting Clearance Certificate may be issued by the Supervising Forest Authority Officer if operations are to be temporarily relocated or suspended. This may be due to:
weather limitations; orCoupe clearance
additional road construction requirements.
A provisional harvesting clearance should only be issued if there are no identified breaches of the Code of Practice.
Any breaches must be rectified prior to issuing a clearance.
Skid tracks and landings should be drained prior to departure from the harvesting area.
Recommencement of operations
Operations should only recommence when ground conditions permit operation without causing damage of the type described above.
Extending operations on log landings and skid tracks
Use excavators where possible.
Cording may be undertaken to extend operations in wet weather.
If the cording sinks to the original rutted depth, operations should cease.
EXAMPLE ONLY HARVESTING CLEARANCE CERTIFICATE Harvest area Name: Location: Reason for Issuing Provisional Clearance Certificate: This certificate is made consequent upon agreement dated ____________________ between ____________________ (the Company) and the ____________________ Forest District (the Forestry Authority). WHEREAS We the undersigned have inspected the said land to check that the Company has satisfactorily carried out its obligations under the said agreement. In particular, we have established: 1. That all streams and watercourses have been cleared of obstructions, dams, temporary culverts etc. 2. That all skidding tracks on slopes have cross drains which lead off at no greater than the frequency detailed in the Code of Forest Harvesting Practice. 3. That all quarries, pits, and gravel extraction areas have been restored within the above harvesting area to a safe environmentally acceptable condition and that any areas of stagnant water created by operations around working areas have been filled or drained. 4. That thorough maintenance has been carried out on all roads leaving them properly drained and in good working condition. THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY AGREED: That the Company is temporarily released from obligation under the said agreement. Clearance is granted to leave the harvest area subject to harvesting being completed by ____________________: (Insert any other retained obligations) _______________________________________________________________________ Harvest area/number: __________________ |
OBJECTIVES To ensure that all logs are measured accurately. To ensure that log measurements are recorded in a manner which
allows easy checking of measurements and forms a basis for correct payment to
owners. |
Primary responsibility for accurate measurement rests with the Forest Authority or the purchaser of the logs depending on particular country procedures.
The landowner or a representative should accompany the purchaser's representative for log measurements. Independent recording of log measurement by owners is encouraged.
The Forest Authority Officer may attend and/or evaluate log measuring procedures during inspections.
Log measurement location (other than where logs are sold on a weight basis)
Logs must be measured before or when they reach the log landing. These measurements are the official records for the purpose of log volume and pricing calculations.
Logs meeting the minimum specifications, but left in the forest should also be measured and charged (stumpage).
Remeasurement of all logs, or a sample of them, at the landing or at the log pond will be done as part of Forest Authority monitoring procedure.
Log tally sheets
Log tally sheets, approved by the Forest Authority must be used to record log measurements.
Log identification
Minimum log information and measurements to be recorded include:
- owner brand and Forest Authority brand where appropriate;Use sequential numbering.
- individual number for each log and tree marking number;
- log length;
- log quality, grade, species;
- log diameter(s).
Avoid duplication of numbers.
For the purpose of payment, other records may include:
- owner identification;Log markings must be sufficiently durable to last at least until logs are loaded for export or processed.
- identification of cutter/skidder/hauler;
- lines or marks showing positions of diameter measurements.
Ownership of logs
Legal agreements between the parties involved in harvesting must specify precisely when log ownership is transferred. For example, specify the time of payment, or specify that log ownership is transferred when the licence agreement is signed.
Following this transfer, the logs are owned by the purchaser.
Payment for logs
Legal agreement between the parties involved in harvesting must specify precisely the point and time of payment for logs and other forest products.
Payment must be made for all commercial logs felled, irrespective of whether or not they are removed from the forest unless specific exemption is given for particular uses, for example:
- logs used in road construction (this will occur only if no suitable non-commercial durable logs are available);- logs provided to contractors for their own use;
- logs used for logging camp construction and maintenance (non-commercial logs should be used in preference.)
OBJECTIVES To monitor compliance with the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific and other relevant codes. To improve the quality of future planning and implementation
of harvesting operations. |
Formal evaluation of operations will be done by staff of the Forest Authority (Figure 8-5).
Self regulation by logging companies to ensure compliance with the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific and monitoring of performance is recommended.
Timing of evaluations
Forest Authority Officers will evaluate operations at each inspection.
Maximum time between evaluations should be 3 months. Inspection at 1-month intervals is preferable.
If the evaluation results in a suspension of operations, a further field evaluation should be carried out to verify that all the work is completed to the required standards, before the suspension is lifted.
Evaluation procedures
All evaluations require ground inspection.
The Forest Authority Officer should be accompanied by a representative of the company and other authorities as appropriate.
Preliminary evaluations may be undertaken from small format photography/satellite images of logging areas which have been flown since the last inspection. Assessments of operations from photography need to be checked in the field.
Areas inspected and evaluated should include a representative sample of:
- current harvesting operations;During the inspection, all areas of non-compliance with the Code or the harvesting contract are to be explained to the company representative.- areas completed since the last inspection;
- areas where the company was directed, at the previous inspection, to do further work.
The company representative is requested to sign the evaluation form as a true record of the inspection (Figures 8-6).
Evaluation inspections
Copies of the evaluation are to be forwarded to:
- head office of the Forest Authority (via district or regional offices);
- other relevant government agencies;
- representatives of local populations;
- the company.
Figure 8-5: Monitoring and Evaluation Procedure
Figure 8-6: Evaluation of Harvesting Operations - Forms 1 and 2
EXAMPLE ONLY
HARVEST OPERATIONS EVALUATION - FORM 1
Procedure:
Assess and score operations as indicated on the evaluation form. If only part of the operation is to be inspected, choose areas randomly. Make sure that the assessment represents all areas of operation.
Attach additional pages of comments if required.
Company ......................................................................................
Results of previous inspections:
DATE |
MARK |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Comments by the inspecting Forest Officer:
Operations HAVE/HAVE NOT improved since the last inspection. The major problems are:
Is major breach action necessary? YES/NO |
Comments by harvesting company representative:
Signed: ....................................... Dated: .......................................
Comments by Senior Forest Authority Officer:
I SUPPORT/DO NOT SUPPORT the action recommended by the inspecting officer because:
Signed: ....................................... Dated: .......................................
ACTION TAKEN
EXAMPLE ONLY - FORM 2
Date: ................ |
Place: ................ |
Forest Officer: ................ |
Company Rep.: ................ |
CODE |
ACTIVITY |
NO. OF OBSERVATIONS |
MARKS DEDUCTED PER BREACH |
TOTAL MARKS |
CUM MARK |
(1) |
(2) |
(3) |
(4) |
(5) |
(6) |
STARTING MARK |
|
|
|
100 |
|
1.0 |
PLANNING |
(one coupe) |
|
|
|
1.1 |
Harvesting plan (at the detailed coupe level) has not been completed in accordance with the Code. Harvest operations must not commence or must be immediately
suspended if the Operational Plan has not been signed by the Supervising Forest
Officer and the Company Supervisor. |
|
|
|
|
1.2 |
Exclusion areas (Special Management Zones including buffer
strips) not demarcated in the field prior to operations commencing. |
|
0 |
|
|
1.3 |
Contractor and where possible the Forest Officer has not
discussed the plan with cutters and plant operators. |
|
-5 |
|
|
MARK FOR PLANNING = TOTAL COLUMN 5 |
|||||
2.0 |
ROADING (Assess lengths of approximately 100 m)
|
3 lengths |
|
|
|
2.1 |
For each length not located as per harvesting plan. |
|
-5 |
|
|
2.2 |
For each length with clearing beyond 30 m at widest point (40
m where gravel not available). |
|
-3 |
|
|
2.3 |
For each length with side cuts on slopes exceeding 30
degrees. |
|
-3 |
|
|
2.4 |
For each length not drained in accordance with Code and
plan. |
|
-5 |
|
|
2.5 |
For each watercourse crossing not constructed to harvesting
plan. |
|
-5 |
|
|
2.6 |
For each unmetalled (or uncompacted if no gravel available)
length. |
|
-4 |
|
|
MARK FOR ROADING = TOTAL COLUMN 5 DIVIDED BY 3 |
|||||
3.0 |
LANDINGS (Assess 3 landings) |
3 landings |
|
|
|
3.1 |
For each landing not located as per harvesting plan. |
|
-5 |
|
|
3.2 |
For each landing not properly drained and more than 0.25
ha. |
|
-3 |
|
|
3.3 |
For each landing with 20+ m of skid track that drains onto
it. |
|
-3 |
|
|
3.4 |
For each landing in an excluded or filter area. |
|
-6 |
|
|
MARK FOR LANDINGS - TOTAL COLUMN 5 DIVIDED BY 3 |
|||||
4.0 |
EXCLUSION AREAS (Assess 3 lengths of filter strips, 3
historical sites) |
3 lengths; 3 sites |
|
|
|
4.1 |
For each length not located according to harvesting
plan. |
|
-5 |
|
|
4.2 |
For each length with trees felled within it. |
|
-5 |
|
|
4.3 |
For each length with trees felled into it. |
|
-2 |
|
|
4.4 |
For each length with unauthorised machine entry. |
|
-5 |
|
|
4.5 |
For each historic site damaged. |
|
-5 |
|
|
MARK FOR EXCLUSION AREAS = TOTAL COLUMN 5 DIVIDED BY
3 |
|||||
5.0 |
SKIDDING (Assess length of approximately 100 m)
|
3 lengths |
|
|
|
5.1 |
For each skid track not marked and located as per harvesting
plan. |
|
-5 |
|
|
5.2 |
For each track which has been bladed after initial
construction. |
|
-4 |
|
|
5.3 |
For each length with blade damage to watercourse banks or soil
pushed into a watercourse or filter area. |
|
-5 |
|
|
5.4 |
For each length with clearing beyond 5 m at the widest
point. |
|
-4 |
|
|
5.5 |
For each inadequately drained skid track. |
|
-4 |
|
|
5.6 |
For each length with logs driven to the skid track (which
could have been broken out with the winch). |
|
-3 |
|
|
5.4 |
Damage to PCTs. In residual stand |
based on trees only |
-1 |
|
|
5.5 |
Marked trees harvested. |
based on trees only |
-1 |
|
|
5.6 |
Damage to trees on skid track |
based on trees only |
-1 |
|
|
MARK FOR SKIDDING = TOTAL COLUMN 5 DIVIDED BY 3 |
|||||
ASSESSMENT TOTALS = MARK FOR PLANNING + ROADING +
LANDINGS + EXCLUSION AREAS + SKIDDING |
OBJECTIVES To leave the harvesting area in a condition that encourages forest regeneration and protects other environmental values. To leave the forest area in a safe condition. To prevent deterioration of downstream soil and water
values. |
Any tree hang-ups should be removed.
8.10.2 Skid Tracks and Haul Tracks
TEMPORARY CROSSINGS
Remove all temporary crossings, using an excavator where practicable.
Avoid disturbance to the watercourse banks and buffer zones.
Place material at least 10 metres from the watercourse.
TRACKS
Do not increase the width of tracks by blading or pushing material in from the side in order to cover the track surface.
Place cross-drains:
- at changes in slope;Cross-drains are to have:- within 10 metres of a watercourse;
- at other locations so that the spacing between cross-drains is equal to or less than the maximum allowed.
- a bank height of at least 30 cm and a batter length of 1.5 m;Box cuts are to be avoided if possible, but are to have earth dams (water bars) constructed at a spacing equal to or less than the maximum allowed for cross drains. The bank height is to be equal to the depth of the cut.
- the bank is to be accompanied by a cut into the surface of the track;
- a crossfall of 1-3%;
- an angle of 45° to track alignment;
- a stable vegetated disposal area, log barriers or scour pads.
Landings
Rip landings at right angles to the drainage direction, or construct a berm around the landing and/or replant with a forest growing crop of grass, shrub or tree species.
Remove or bury waste.
Stabilise the batters of cuts and fills. Drain all areas where water may pond to stable disposal points and not directly into watercourses. The grade of drains is to be 1-3%.
Watercourses
Remove any harvesting debris that has entered buffer zones and/or designated watercourses.
Roads
PERMANENT CROSSINGS
Check all bridges and culverts, including decking foundations and side walls. They must be secure and safe.
Any debris that has been pushed into the watercourse must be removed by excavator or by hand.
Water must be able to flow freely beneath bridges.
Clean all silt traps.
FORMATION
Road formations are to be in good condition. There are to be no ruts in the surface. Crossfall is to be 1-3%. Surface grading and compaction may be required to ensure the road is in a stable and well-drained condition.
SIDE DRAINAGE
All table drains, side drains and cross-road drains must be left in good working condition. Surface grading may be required.
Soil, vegetation and other material that would obstruct water flow must be cleared from road drains.
Quarries and borrow pits
Remove or bury all rubbish.
Stabilise steep cuts:
- batters should be less than 100% slope;Re-grade the drain on the uphill side and make sure that runoff cannot enter the quarry or borrow area and is diverted to a stable disposal point.
- cuts more than 3 m high should be stepped at 3 m vertical intervals.
Drain the surface of the quarry if water is likely to pond. These drains must empty to stable disposal areas.
Log ponds and wharves
All material able to be used by the local community should be stockpiled free of soil.
Drainage within the log pond and on the wharf should be put in good working order so that water will not pond for extended periods of time.
The road to the wharf should be drained to prevent runoff reaching the sea.
All log debris (e.g., bark and log ends) should be removed from the wharf.
Refuse dumps
Dumps should be filled in level with the surrounding areas to prevent water from ponding.
Fill should be compacted to prevent settling.
Camp areas (base and field)
All refuse should be removed.
All areas where water is likely to pond should be drained. Drains should not empty directly into water bodies.
The area should be left in a clean and tidy condition (including removal of all temporary buildings and machinery).
Upon completion of rehabilitation work, the supervising Forest Authority Officer should issue a Harvesting Completion Certificate or Provisional Harvesting Clearance Certificate. Work should not commence in another area until such a certificate has been submitted. A Harvesting Completion Certificate should only be issued when the Officer is satisfied that all requirements of the Code of Practice for Forest Harvesting in Asia-Pacific, and related codes and regulations, have been fulfilled (Figure 8-7).
Figure 8-7: Harvesting Completion Certificate
EXAMPLE ONLY This certificate is made consequent upon agreement dated ____________________ between ____________________ (the Company) and the ____________________ Forest District (the Forestry Authority). WHEREAS The Company has notified the Forest District Officer that it has completed operations within the land covered by the above agreement with effect from ____________________. We the undersigned have inspected the said land to check that the Company has satisfactorily carried out its obligations under the said agreement. In particular, we have established: 1. That all streams and watercourses have been cleared of obstructions, dams, temporary culverts etc. 2. That all skidding tracks on slopes have been water barred and drains led off at no greater than the frequency detailed in the Code of Practice. 3. That all landings have been ripped and/or replanted to break up the soil compaction and topsoil has been spread evenly back across the disturbed areas. 4. That all merchantable timber felled by the Company has been extracted and paid for. 5. That all oil, chemical or similar pollutants have been removed and all rubbish has been satisfactorily disposed of. 6. That all quarries, pits, and gravel extraction areas have been restored to a safe environmentally acceptable condition and that any areas of stagnant water created by operations around working areas have been filled or drained. 7. That a thorough final maintenance has been carried out on all roads. Those roads to be closed have been water barred and temporary crossings removed. Those roads to be retained have been properly drained and left in good working condition. 8. That all royalties, penalties, compensation or other payment due under the agreement have been duly received. THEREFORE IT IS HEREBY AGREED: That the Company is released from further obligation or benefit under the said agreement save as follows: 1. The Company will retain the right of access along the roads from ____________________ to ____________________ and shall retain the obligation to maintain these roads as provided in the said agreement until ____________________. 2. (Insert any other retained obligations) Harvest area/number: _____________________ |