Upload
others
View
0
Download
0
Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
FORESTMANAGEMENTANDSTUMP-TO-FORESTGATECHAIN-OF-CUSTODY
SURVEILLANCEEVALUATIONREPORT
StateofMarylandDNR–ForestServiceMaryland,USA
SCS-FM/COC-00069P
580TaylorAve,E1Annapolis,MD21401
JackPerdue,ForestResourcePlanning,[email protected]://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/
CERTIFIED EXPIRATION
29/April/2014 28/April/2019
DATEOFFIELDAUDIT24-27/April/2017
DATEOFLASTUPDATE10June2017
SCSContact:BrendanGrady|Director
ForestManagementCertification+1.510.452.8000
2000PowellStreet,Ste.600,Emeryville,CA94608USA
+1.510.452.8000main|+1.510.452.8001faxwww.SCSglobalServices.com
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page2of75
ForewordCycleinannualsurveillanceaudits
1stannualaudit
2ndannualaudit
3rdannualaudit
4thannualaudit
Other(expansionofscope,MajorCARaudit,specialaudit,etc.):
NameofForestManagementEnterprise(FME)andabbreviationusedinthisreport:
StateofMarylandDNR–ForestService(MDDNR,DNRorFME)
AllcertificatesissuedbySCSundertheaegisoftheForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)requireannualauditstoascertainongoingconformancewiththerequirementsandstandardsofcertification.ApublicsummaryoftheinitialevaluationisavailableontheFSCCertificateDatabasehttp://info.fsc.org/.
PursuanttoFSCandSCSguidelines,annual/surveillanceauditsarenotintendedtocomprehensivelyexaminethefullscopeofthecertifiedforestoperations,asthecostofafull-scopeauditwouldbeprohibitiveanditisnotmandatedbyFSCauditprotocols.Rather,annualauditsarecomprisedofthreemaincomponents:
§ AfocusedassessmentofthestatusofanyoutstandingconditionsorCorrectiveActionRequests(CARs;seediscussioninsection4.0forthoseCARsandtheirdispositionasaresultofthisannualaudit);
§ Follow-upinquiryintoanyissuesthatmayhavearisensincetheawardofcertificationorpriortothisaudit;and
§ Asnecessarygiventhebreadthofcoverageassociatedwiththefirsttwocomponents,anadditionalfocusonselectedtopicsorissues,theselectionofwhichisnotknowntothecertificateholderpriortotheaudit.
OrganizationoftheReport
Thisreportoftheresultsofourevaluationisdividedintotwosections.SectionAprovidesthepublicsummaryandbackgroundinformationthatisrequiredbytheForestStewardshipCouncil.Thissectionismadeavailabletothegeneralpublicandisintendedtoprovideanoverviewoftheevaluationprocess,themanagementprogramsandpoliciesappliedtotheforest,andtheresultsoftheevaluation.SectionAwillbepostedontheFSCCertificateDatabase(http://info.fsc.org/)nolessthan90daysaftercompletionoftheon-siteaudit.SectionBcontainsmoredetailedresultsandinformationfortheusebytheFME.
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page3of75
TableofContentsSECTIONA–PUBLICSUMMARY..................................................................................................................4
1.GENERALINFORMATION.........................................................................................................................41.1AnnualAuditTeam............................................................................................................................4
1.2TotalTimeSpentonEvaluation.........................................................................................................4
1.3StandardsEmployed..........................................................................................................................4
2ANNUALAUDITDATESANDACTIVITIES....................................................................................................52.1AnnualAuditItineraryandActivities.................................................................................................6
2.2EvaluationofManagementSystems...............................................................................................15
3.CHANGESINMANAGEMENTPRACTICES...............................................................................................15
4.RESULTSOFTHEEVALUATION...............................................................................................................154.1ExistingCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations...................................................................15
4.2NewCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations........................................................................23
5.STAKEHOLDERCOMMENTS...................................................................................................................265.1StakeholderGroupsConsulted........................................................................................................26
5.2SummaryofStakeholderCommentsandResponsesfromtheTeam,WhereApplicable...............26
6.CERTIFICATIONDECISION......................................................................................................................29
7.CHANGESINCERTIFICATIONSCOPE......................................................................................................29
8.ANNUALDATAUPDATE.........................................................................................................................338.1SocialInformation............................................................................................................................33
8.2AnnualSummaryofPesticideandOtherChemicalUse..................................................................33
SECTIONB–APPENDICES(CONFIDENTIAL)...............................................................................................36Appendix1–ListofFMUsSelectedforEvaluation...............................................................................36
Appendix2–ListofStakeholdersConsulted.........................................................................................36
Appendix3–AdditionalAuditTechniquesEmployed...........................................................................36
Appendix4–PesticideDerogations......................................................................................................36
Appendix5–DetailedObservations......................................................................................................36
Appendix6–ChainofCustodyIndicatorsforFMEs..............................................................................69
SCSTRADEMARKANNEXFORFMES:FSCTRADEMARKS,FSC-STD-50-001V1-2.......................................70UsingtheFSClabelsonproducts...........................................................................................................74
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page4of75
SECTIONA–PUBLICSUMMARY
1.GeneralInformation
1.1AnnualAuditTeamAuditorName: KyleMeister Auditorrole: FSCLeadAuditorQualifications: KyleMeisterisaSeniorCertificationForesterwithSCSGlobalServices.Hehasbeen
withSCSsince2008andhasconductedFSCFMpre-assessments,evaluations,andsurveillanceauditsinBrazil,Panama,Mexico,CostaRica,Bolivia,Indonesia,India,Japan,NewZealand,Spain,andallmajorforestproducingregionsoftheUnitedStates.HehasconductedCOCassessmentsinOregon,Pennsylvania,NorthandSouthCarolina,WestVirginia,Georgia,andCalifornia.Mr.MeisterhassuccessfullycompletedCARLeadVerifier,ISO9001:2008LeadAuditor,andSA8000SocialSystemsIntroductionandBasicAuditorTrainingCourses.HeholdsaB.S.inNaturalResourceEcologyandManagementandaB.A.inSpanishfromtheUniversityofMichigan;andaMasterofForestryfromtheYaleSchoolofForestryandEnvironmentalStudies.
AuditorName: TuckerWatts Auditorrole: SFILeadAuditorQualifications: TuckerWattshasover30years’experienceinforestmanagement,primarilyinthe
southernU.S.HeworkedformanyyearsforInternationalPaperCompany,firstasalandmanagementandprocurementforester,thenasananalyst,andfinallyasanenvironmentalmanagerwithconsiderableinvolvementinforestcertification.TuckerhasaBSinForestryfromLouisianaTech,andMSinForestryfromMississippiStateUniversity,andanMBAfromCentenaryCollege.Hehasparticipatedinmanyforestryorganizations,notablyasaTrainerintheLouisianaMasterLoggerProgram,asateammemberfor“RecommendedForestryBestManagementPracticesforLouisiana”andonvariousSFIStateImplementationCommittees.TuckeristrainedasaTreeFarmGroupCertificationAuditorandhasexperienceinSFIandFSCauditingfrombothsides,asanauditorandasthemanagementrepresentativeofanorganizationbeingaudited.Auditexperienceincludesauditsofpulpandpapermills,containerandboxcompanies,printers,distributers,andauditsofrecoveredfiberandrecycledcontent.
1.2TotalTimeSpentonEvaluationA. Numberofdaysspenton-siteassessingtheapplicant: 3.5B. Numberofauditorsparticipatinginon-siteevaluation: 2C. Additionaldaysspentonpreparation,stakeholderconsultation,andpost-sitefollow-up: 0D. Totalnumberofpersondaysusedinevaluation: 7
1.3StandardsEmployed
1.3.1.ApplicableFSC-AccreditedStandards
Title Version DateofFinalizationFSC-USForestManagementStandard V1-0 July8,2010AllstandardsemployedareavailableonthewebsitesofFSCInternational(www.fsc.org),theFSC-US
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page5of75
(www.fscus.org)ortheSCSStandardspage(www.scsglobalservices.com/certification-standards-and-program-documents).Standardsarealsoavailable,uponrequest,fromSCSGlobalServices(www.SCSglobalServices.com).
1.3.2.SCSInterimFSCStandards
Title Version DateofFinalizationSCSFSCChainofCustodyIndicatorsforForestManagementEnterprises
V6-0 December2016
ThisSCSInterimStandardwasdevelopedbymodifyingSCS’GenericInterimStandardtoreflectforestmanagementintheregionandbyincorporatingrelevantcomponentsoftheDraftRegional/NationalStandardandcommentsfromstakeholders.Morethanonemonthpriortothestartofthefieldevaluation,theSCSDraftInterimStandardforthecountry/regionwassentoutforcommenttostakeholdersidentifiedbyFSCInternational,SCS,theforestmanagersunderevaluation,andtheNationalInitiative.Acopyofthestandardisavailableatwww.scsglobalservices.com/certification-standards-and-program-documentsoruponrequestfromSCSGlobalServices(www.SCSglobalServices.com).
2AnnualAuditDatesandActivities
2.1AnnualAuditItineraryandActivities
Complex Location Acres Activity Note Auditteamnotes
MondayApril24-AfternoonSites
NA FMEoffices NA Openingmeeting
Introductions,FMEupdate,reviewauditscope,auditplan,
intro/updatetoFSCandSCSstandardsandprotocols,reviewof
openCARs/OBS,finalsiteselection
SignificantprogressinupdatingtheforestinventoryandmodelingwasrecentlycompletedintheEasternRegion.
WR25 Tankard 29.0 Reforestation complete
Naturalregenerationofloblollypineattempted,butdidnotmeetstockingrequirementsof300treesperacreinallareasofthestand.Soreplantingwasconductedon7X10spacingfollowedbyaherbicideapplicationtoreleasepines.IndividualretainedlegacyhardwoodandpineswereGPS'dandprovidedtoherbicideapplicator.Verylittledamagetonon-targetspecies,asconfirmedinapplicationflightlinesandapplicationrecords.Propertyboundariesonfoursidesofthetimbersaleleftwithabufferofscreentreesthatfunctionaslegacytrees.Green-upwitnessinadjacentstands.ApplicatorslicenseforGlennMartinwitnessed.Contactscontainrequiredelements.WR25
TankardTract,Stand11 26.8
HerbicideApplication 8ozArsenal+2.5ozHerbimax
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page7of75
WR25WR25Tankard,S11 33.5 FinalHarvest 99%complete
LegacyandseedtreesconsistingofpondpineandoakGPS'dandmarkedwithbluepaint.Roadsmattedtoprotectaccess.Ditchesarecleanandstreamisfreeflowing.Standwillbelefttoregenerateandnoseedtreesaretoberemoved.No-harvestareasmappedandequipmentlimitedtoskidtrails.Bufferleftalongroadforaestheticmanagement.Green-uprequirementsmetbyadjacentstands.FuturehabitatforDelmarvaFoxSquirrel(DFS)andForestInteriorDwellingSpecies.Lowerelevationsite,sooperationsrequireddryerconditions.Contactscontainrequiredelements.
P02 Furnace 447.0 RxBurn 60%complete
ComplexofbeachduneswithhabitatandpotentialhabitatforRTEplantsandinsects.Observationofhabitatmanagement,includingdeer-exclusiondevices.Discussionofhabitatandpopulationmonitoringandprescribedfirerotationtomanageforamosaicofhabitatovertimeandspace.Reviewofburnplan,prescribedfiresafety,training&qualifications.DiscussiononcollaborationwithothergovernmentagenciesandTNConprescribedfire.
P02
NazarethChurchT8,s10&14 14.4 FinalHarvest 50%complete
Retentionofpondpineandshort-leafpine,allGPS'd.90year-oldregeneratedafteragriculturalabandonment.ObservationofSMZwithharvestexclusionandequipmentexclusionbuffers.Gooddistributionanduseofslashtocoverskidtrails.Observationofhistoricculturalsiteandprotectionmeasures.Temporarybridgewillbeusedtocrosscreek.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page8of75
P02
NazarethChurchT4S1,4,8&10-Honeywell 118.0 1stThinning 20%complete
Salesfromfourfiscalyearslumpedintoonetoenhancebiddingprocess.Boundariesmarkedwithyellowpainandplacards.ObservationofSMZ,whichwasallowedtobethinnedto70BA(60BAisallowed).IntendedtobefutureDFScorearea.Discussiononuseofmonitoringresultstoupdatemanagementstrategyandplans.Man-madeditchbuffered.Discussedbufferingrequirementsforman-madeditches.Minorskinningofresidualtrees.Debrisusedtostabilizeskidtrails.
TuesdayApril25-Group1Sites
FMEOffices Documentandrecordreview,and
employeeinterviewsReviewoftraining,complaints,stakeholdercommunications,ownership,andleaserecords.
ParkerForestry
Documentandrecordreview,andemployeeinterviews
Reviewofcontracts,harvestrecords(includingCOCforstumpage,lump-sum,andgatewood),post-harvestmonitoring,chemicaluse
W17
RFRichardson,Stand1 35.8
NaturalRegeneration complete
2015regenerationsurveyfollowingclearcutandtochecksurvivalofoverstoryretention(oakandpine);2,000treesperacre,butsomepatchinesstoregenerationsositewastreatedwithanaerialspraytoreducebroadleafandherbaceouscompetition;post-sprayregenerationofloblollywas2,500-3,000treesperacre,whichlikelywillrequireapre-commercialthinning,butnosupplementalplanting.Discussiononrepairingrutsandsitepreparationoptions.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page9of75
W21
LouisHornerTractStands6,11&16 62.3 1stThinning complete
ObjectivetoenhanceFIDShabitatandprotectnaturaltemporalstreamconnectedtoperennialtidalstreamwithincoastalprotectionzone.Observationofhardwoodriparianforest(protectedarea)andstreamcrossingwith16"culvert,currentlycoveredwithleaves,butwaterisstillflowingfreely.Discussiononculvertsizing,invasivespeciescontrolandprevention.Observationofhistoricsite,skidtrails,propertyboundaries,andresidualstand,allofwhichareingoodcondition.Thinnedto90BA.
W23
GreenhillComplex,Stands17,20,23&28 205.0 1stThinning 45%complete
FutureDFScorearea,nootherspecialfeatures.Thinnedto90BA.Skidtrailscoveredwithslashandevidencethatmatswereusedinsensitivesectionsoftrails.Littletonoresidualstanddamage.Gatewoodsale.
WarringtonTract 1stThinning 15%complete
Stumpagesaleinwhichoperationswerestoppedbyloggingcrewduetowetconditions.Observationofhardwoodswamp,whichwasnotenteredorharvested.Useofslashonskidtrails.Someslashhasbeenpiled,butlikelywillbedistributedoverthesitewhenoperationsresume.Discussionontheeffectsofageclassesandtimberqualityonpotentialtimbermarkets.
TuesdayApril25-Group2Sites
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page10of75
WR10CorddryTract,Stand12 92.4 1stThinning 60%complete
ErosionandSedimentationPlandiscussed.Noentranceintoarea.Bridgeusedforcrossing.Bridge
hasbeenremovedandareastabilized.Densityreducedto70BA.Treeselectionforthinningwell
done.
WR09PerkinsTract,Stand3 36.7
HerbicideApplication
16ozArsenal+2ozEscort+2.5ozHerbimax
Shelterwoodcutin2011.Lowseedfallandunderstockedregeneration.Chemicalsite
preparation8/16.WitnessedanddiscussedSpillManagementandApplicationPlan.Ditches
bufferedduringspray.Over-sprayonadjacentneighbor.Claimdiscussedandsettledwithlandowner.Seedtreeswillberemoved,soil
scarifiedandplanted.
WR11 Shockley 24.7 Afforestation complete
Afforestationofagriculturefield.WitnessedReforestationPlan.Powerlinebufferedfortrees.Handplantingat7X10spacing.Survivalof485treesperacre.Boundarylinesareclearlyvisible.
WR01
Timmons-DonawayTract,Stands3&7 54.6 1stThinning complete
ErosionandSedimentationPlanreviewedanddiscussed.Tractcheckforendangeredspecies.
Thinningto70-0basalareagoal.NocutbufferforSMZ.Man-madeditcheshavebeenbufferedwithnoentry.Timbersusedtocrossditch.Banksarecleanandstabilized.Minorskinningofresidualstand.Treeselectionduringthinningimproves
standhealth.Norutting.
WednesdayApril26-Group1Sites
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page11of75
D21BellTract,Stand2 16.4 1stThinning complete
DiscussedErosionandSedimentationPlan.ResidualBAis67.Someruttinginmainskidtrailnotedinmonitoring.Witnessedruttingand
discussedruttingpolicyandhandlingofissue.Goodtreeselection.
D10HuhneTractStand1 79.9 1stThinning 10%complete
Vernalpoolsprotectedwith50'nocutriparianarea.Thinningstandto60BA.Erosionand
SedimentationPlandeveloped.Minorrutting.Nodamagetosoilorwater.Boundarywelldefined.SMZflagged.Goodtreeselection.Debrisusedto
stabilizeskidtrails.
D12
MarshyhopeComplexStands1,2,8,13&15 138.0 1stThinning 75%complete
HighConservationArea.CriticalAreaPlandiscussed.ErosionandSedimentationPlanwas
developed.Accesscontrolledbygate.Debrisusedforstabilizationofskidtrails.Goodutilization.Noruttingobserved.Saleareaidentifiedwithflagging.
D12
MarshyhopeTractStands1&49 70.2 1stThinning complete
CriticalAreaPlandiscussed.Streamsbuffered.ErosionandSedimentationPlancompleted.
Thinningto61BA.VirginiaPinecorridorsremaintoprotectresidualsandprovidewildlifehabitat.Debrisusedtostabilizeskidtrails.Steambufferidentifiedwithflagging.Noentranceinbuffer.Bufferhasbeenexpandedtocompensateforslopingtowardstream.Interviewedloggeron
training,safetymeetingsandPPE.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page12of75
D12 Marshyhope 129.0 RxBurn complete
PrescribedburnconductedforNaturalHeritageCommission.DiscussedandwitnessedBurnPlan.Benefitsincludewildlife(Turkeyswitnessedonsite)
andfuelreduction.Interactionwithprivatelandownersandcitizensdiscussed.Signsplacedonroadduringburn.Signwithcontactinformation
remainsafterburn(Witnessedonsite.)
C03MessengerTractStand4 26.4 1stThinning complete
Thinningbasalarea67.Debrisusedtostabilizeskidtrails.Treeselectionimprovesresidualstand.
C03MessengerBranch 67.0 RxBurn complete
PrescribedburnconductedforquailatIdyleWildManagementArea.DiscussedandwitnessedBurnPlan.Burnwillbeconductedat2-3yearintervals.Benefitsincludewildlifeandrareplants.(Turkeyswitnessedonsite)andfuelreduction.Plansaretoexpandburningprogramanddevelopa15year
plan.
WednesdayApril26-Group2Sites
PowellTract FinalHarvest planned,butnotharvested
Observationofpre-harvestmeetingbetweenforestryandloggingcontractor.Completionofpre-harvestchecklistandmapreviewwithlogger,discussionofPPEanduseofsignagenearroadandtrailentrances,useofmatsandotherBMPsnearsensitiveareas,locationofsensitiveresources,etc.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page13of75
P02FurnaceT126S3&4 34.0 1stThinning complete
FIDS,DFSfuturecoreandESAspresent.Observationofprotectionsforvernalpools.Thinnedto66BA,whichjustbelowdesiredBArange(70-90);however,smallertreesmeantthatdesiredtreesperacreweremet.DiscussionofopportunitiestocollaboratewithNaturalHeritagestaff.
P05MilburnLndgT17S11 4.7 FinalHarvest 50%complete
Observationofplantationestablishedinthe1940swithsignificanthardwoodcomponentandlargepines.TwoESAtypes,DFSFutureCore,naturalstreamwithSMZmarkedwithflagging,andrecreationaltrails.Harvestwasclosedduetowetconditions.Allsensitivefeatureswereavoidedduringharvest,includingretentiontrees.Observationofpropertyboundaries,whicharenotedwithyellowpaintand/orsignage.
P05
Mohr-MilburnLandingT15S30 35.0 1stThinning 50%complete
FIDS,perennialstreamwith125-150ftno-cutbuffer,DFSFutureCorearea,thinnedto86BA,hardwoodretentionincludesyellowpoplarandoak.Discussionofstreamprotectionsandhardwoodutilization,whichislimitedduetoproximitytomills.Observationofpropertyboundaries.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page14of75
S27WellsTract-Stands2,5&7 238.9 1stThinning complete
DFSFutureCorearea,and50-ftbufferestablishedaroundditch.Thinnedto73BA.Loggerhadtopulloutduetowetconditionsatonepoint;nomajorissueswithroadsandskidtrailsobserved.Secondthinningsandfinalharvestshouldhaveopportunitiesforreleaseandretentionofmast-producingspecies,mainlyoaks.Observationofpropertyboundaries.
S53
HandyTract-Stands3,6,7,15&16 137.3 1stThinning 60%complete
Fourageclassespresent,buttreesareofsimilarsizes.Thinnedto75BA.Observationofstandboundaries,whicharemarkedwithtape.Discussionontimbermarketsandtheimpactsontypesofharvestequipmentavailable.
2.2EvaluationofManagementSystems
SCSdeploysinterdisciplinaryteamswithexpertiseinforestry,socialsciences,naturalresourceeconomics,andotherrelevantfieldstoassessanFME’sconformancetoFSCstandardsandpolicies.Evaluationmethodsincludedocumentandrecordreview,implementingsamplingstrategiestovisitabroadnumberofforestcoverandharvestprescriptiontypes,observationofimplementationofmanagementplansandpoliciesinthefield,andstakeholderanalysis.Whenthereismorethanoneteammember,teammembersmayreviewpartsofthestandardsbasedontheirbackgroundandexpertise.Onthefinaldayofanevaluation,teammembersconvenetodeliberatethefindingsoftheassessmentjointly.Thisinvolvesananalysisofallrelevantfieldobservations,stakeholdercomments,andrevieweddocumentsandrecords.Whereconsensusbetweenteammemberscannotbeachievedduetolackofevidence,conflictingevidenceordifferencesofinterpretationofthestandards,theteamisinstructedtoreporttheseinthecertificationdecisionsectionand/orinobservations.
3.ChangesinManagementPractices
Therewerenosignificantchangesinthemanagementand/orharvestingmethodsthataffecttheFME’sconformancetotheFSCstandardsandpolicies.
SignificantchangesoccurredsincethelastevaluationthatmayaffecttheFME’sconformancetoFSCstandardsandpolicies(describe):
4.ResultsoftheEvaluation
4.1ExistingCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservationsFindingNumber:2016.1
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReportNextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Otherdeadline(specify):nodeadline
FSCIndicator: FSC-US,6.3.a.1,6.3.dand6.3.eNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):AccordingtotheFMPandinterviewswithFMEstaff,nativeconiferspecieswerelikelymoreprevalentonthelandscapethantheyarecurrently.FMEisconsideringexpandingtheuseofnativeandnon-nativeconifersoncertainsitesasawildlifemanagementcomponent,torestorenativespecies(bothconiferandbroadleaf),andpossiblytoadapttoclimatechangeandinvasivepests/pathogens.Therewasonesitewherenativeconiferrestorationwithwhitepinewaswrittenintothesiteplanasanoption,butFMEstaffweredebatingonwhetherornottocontinuewiththatmanagementtrajectorygivendeerbrowsepressure.Certainactivitiesobserved,specificallyretentionofhemlock,whitepine,
X
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page16of75
pitchpineandVirginiapine,withinthinningandregenerationharvestunitslikelycontributetomaintainingand/orincreasingnativeconifercover.However,atthelandscapelevel,FMEhasnotassessedthedesiredfutureconditionofthenativeandnon-nativeconifercomponent,includingselectionofspeciesthatwillmeetsocial,economic,andecologicalobjectivesdependingonsiteconditions.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):FMEshouldconsiderconductingalandscape-levelanalysisofnativeandnon-nativeconiferdistributionanddevelopdesiredfutureconditionsfortheirdistributionbasedonvariablessuchaswildlife,restoration,hydrology,adaptationtoclimatechangeandpests/pathogens,socioeconomicconditions,etc.Justificationforanyuseofnon-nativeornon-localgrowingstockshouldbejustifiedintheanalysis.VariousindicatorsofCriterion6.3maybeusefulinthisassessment;however,ofmostconcernare6.3.a.1,6.3.dand6.3.e.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
WehavebegunaconiferanalysisforourWesternMarylandstateforests,beginningwiththeGreenRidgeStateForest.Thiseffortdisplayedtherawconifercoveratapproximately441acres.Thisprojecthasidentifiedindividualtreesfromsix-inchresolutionimagery,soeveninapurestandofpinetheanalysiswillstillshow"holes"betweenthetrees.ThisGISdatalayerwillshoweverythingovertwometers,sosmallerplantssuchasmountainlaurelwillnotbedisplayed.WewillreviewthisdraftanalysisbeforerunningsimilartestsfortheGarrettcountystateforests.Duringthepastdecade,nestinggoshawkshavebeendiscoveredinplantationsofredpine.GoshawkshadnotbeenseeninMarylandformanyyears,sothiswasapleasantsurprise.Thesestandshadbeentargetedforregeneration,tobereplacedwithnativehardwoods.Sincethen,ourstateforeststaffhasworkedwiththeNaturalHeritageProgramtoidentifythestandslikelytobeattractivetogoshawksandactuallyplantomodifythesestandsusingsilviculturalpracticestoenhancethehabitforgoshawk.SeePotomacGarrettStateForestannualworkplanFY2017,pages114-115,andSavageRiverStateForestannualworkplanFY2017,page78-79.Coniferswhenpresentinstandsproposedformanagementareidentifiedandwhenappropriate,givenpreferenceforretentioninthenextstand.Thiscanbenoticedinourrecentannualworkplans.ReviewofPotomacGarrettStateForestsearchfor“conifer”willhelpidentifythisplannedwork.Thisawarenessfortheneedtosupportlandscapeandspeciesdiversityhasbeenidentifiedwithsuchlanguage:“Whereappropriate,dominantandco-dominanttreeswillberemovedthroughsingletreeandgroupselection,toreleasesuitablewhitepineseedlingsandsaplingsfromcompetition.Thiswillfacilitateexpansionoftheimportantmixedhardwood/conifercovertype.”RedsprucewasonceaneconomicallyimportantsoftwoodspeciesinGarrettCountybuthassincebeenharvestedtothepointonnon-existence.Pocketsofafewtreesarediscoveredandfavoredinmanagementpractices.Managershaveevengonetothepointofdiggingwildseedlingsandtransplantingthemontothestateforests.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page17of75
NorwaysprucehasbeensuccessfullyplantedonSavageRiverStateForestsomedecadesago.Theauditteamshavevisitedthesestandsandsilviculturalworkduringpreviousaudits.Withthesuccessoftheseplantationsandthedifficultyofgettingredsprucebackintothestands,usingnon-nativeNorwaysprucehasbeendiscussed.WehavemetwiththeNaturalHeritageProgramregardingthisconcept.Whiletheystatedthattheywouldnotpromoteplantingofnon-nativespecies,theycouldseenoreasonnotallowit.WeassuredthemthatanyplanforusingNorwaysprucewouldnotresultinlargeplantationsbutsmallpockets.Furtherdiscussionswillensue,buttheopeningdialoghasbeenpromising.
SCSreview SCSverifiedthegoshawkinformationincludedinthetwoAWPs.NortherngoshawksoccurinNorthAmericaandEurasiainavarietyofforesthabitats.Nestsmaybebuiltinbroadleaforconifertreesdependingonfactorssuchastreesizeandspeciescomposition,canopyclosure,adjacentforageareas,andotherfactors.IntheEasternNorthAmerica,goshawksmayoccurinmixedtreespeciesstands.AccordingtointerviewswithDNRstaff,managementforgoshawkscanbecompatiblewithobjectivesforconiferretentionandregeneration,butmustbeplannedincooperationwithWildlifeandHeritagestaff.TheRedpinestandmaybemaintainedaspartofthisspecies’management.Sofar,riskofRedpinebecominginvasiveorcausingothereffectsisverylow;RedpineoccurswithseveralofthespeciesoffloraandfaunaofWesternMaryland,thoughinecosystemsoftheMidwestandNortheastoftheUSA.FMEdemonstratedadraftofitsNorwayspruceguidelines,whichreferencesaguidelineonlimiteduseofthisspeciesunderspecificcircumstancesasapossiblefunctionalsurrogateforthelossofEasternhemlockduetoitssimilarcovertypeandlongevity.FMEpreparedasummaryofhistoricalconifercoverusingpublicationsfromtheMarylandGeologicalSurveydatingbetween1900-1916.ConiferdensitiesreportedoverthecountiesoftheWesternRegion’sStateForestswerelowerinthatperiodandthathardwoodsdominated.Harvestingofconifersbeforeandduringthattime,however,likelyreducedtheirabundanceanddistribution.Duringtheaudit,moreinformationwasprovidedbymanagersintheWesternRegion:Regardingtheconifercoversummary,thereisnosummaryavailableyetthatcomparesthe1900stotoday.The1900informationdescribestheentirecounty.Atthattime,wedidn'thavethestateforestsystemwehavetoday.Today,wecandissectthecountytolookatjustourstateforests,whichiswhatwehavedone.ConiferCoveronWesternMarylandStateForestsGreenRidge-441acSavageRiver-6,600acPotomac-Garrett-964acA2016county-wideanalysishasnotbeendone,butcanbeeasilywithinacoupledays.Itwouldmakeaninterestingprojecttoseehowwelltheinfoprovidedfrom
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page18of75
1900canbecomparedtotoday.Wewillrunthatdataandmakethatsummaryandifitlookslikeacomparisoncanbemade,willincludeinthenextupdatestothelong-termmanagementplans.WhilecurrentSustainableForestManagementPlansandAnnualWorkPlansfortheWesternRegioncontaininformationaboutconifercoverandsomerelatedobjectives,suchasNortherngoshawkhabitat,therecentinformationaddedtotheanalysisisonlypartiallycompleteandnotfullyincorporatedintothemanagementsystem.RefertoOBS2017.1.
StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page19of75
FindingNumber:2016.2
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReportNextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Otherdeadline(specify):nodeadline
FSCIndicator: FSC-US,6.5.dand6.5.g.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):Trailfundingand/orrestrictionsonitsusemaynotallowforthetimelymaintenanceandclosureneedsofexistingauthorizedandunauthorizedtrails.Theauditteamobservedinstanceswheretrailmaintenanceforexistingtrailsdidnotoccurduetolackoffundsordifficultyinobtainingthem.Thereisalsosomeconcernfromstakeholdersonthedensityoftrails,particularlyitseffectonhuntingsuccess.Furthermore,thedensityofunauthorizedtrailsmayresultinalossofproductiveandprotectedforestarea.Fewerrestrictionsonuseoftrailfundsmayresultongreateropportunitiesforforestry,heritageandrecreationalstafftocollaborateontheprotectionofsensitiveresourcesatreducedcostwhileofferingusergroupsapositiverecreationalexperience.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):Recreationaltrailsandwatercrossingsshouldbemaintained,and/orreconstructedtoreduceshortandlong-termenvironmentalimpacts,habitatfragmentation,soilandwaterdisturbanceandcumulativeadverseeffects,whileallowingforcustomaryusesanduserights.Thisincludes:
• accesstoallroadsandtrails(temporaryandpermanent),includingrecreationaltrails,andoff-roadtravel,iscontrolled,aspossible,tominimizeecologicalimpacts;
• traildensityisminimized;• erosionisminimized;• sedimentdischargetostreamsisminimized;• thereisfreeupstreamanddownstreampassageforaquaticorganisms;• impactsoftrailsystemsonwildlifehabitatandmigrationcorridorsareminimized;• areaconvertedtotrailsisminimized;• habitatfragmentationisminimized;• unneededtrailsareclosedandrehabilitated.
RecreationuseontheFMUshouldbemanagedtoavoidnegativeimpactstosoils,water,plants,wildlifeandwildlifehabitats.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
WhilethereisstillmuchworktobedoneregardingtheWesternMarylandstateforestsroadsandtrails,wehavemadegreatprogressatthesametime.LostLandRunroadprojectwascompletedin2016,atacostover$725,000.NextinlineforextensivemaintenanceworkaretheGordonRoadandTwiggRoadprojects.Theauditteamvisitedthesesitesaspartofapreviousaudit.Thisprojecthasbeenfundedatover$700,000andwillbeginengineering,planningandcontractreleaseinFY2018,whichbeginsJuly1,2017.AllotherstateforestsroadprojectshavebeenenteredintoourCriticalMaintenanceprojectqueueandarewaitingfortobefunded.
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page20of75
EachyearthestateforestsareawardedRecreationTrailGrantsfromtheMarylandStateHighwayAdministration.Thisgranthadbeencappedat$30,000perprojectbuthasrecentlybeenincreasedto$40,000.However,thisdoesmeanthatfewerprojectscanbefundedandthesegrantshavebecomemorecompetitive.DuringarecentmeetingwiththeDNRSecretary,DeputySecretaryandAssistantSecretary,fundingforstateforestroadsandtrailswasdiscussedasanissueofimportanceandhowthisrelatestoourforestcertificationprogram.
SCSreview DuringdiscussionswithFMEstaffduringtheaudit,itwasclearthatlittleelsecanbedonecurrentlytopushforgreaterflexibilityinfundingforroadandtrailmaintenance.AstheFMEdetailsabove,collaborationonlargerprojectsalreadyoccurs.Whileprogresshasbeenmadeincommunicatingthebenefitsofgreaterflexibilityandcollaborationonsmallerprojects,thismaybealong-termeffortthatrequiressupportfromkeystakeholders.Inthemeantime,FMEisprioritizingmaintenanceprojectsbyfixingcriticalpointsintheroadandtrailsystem,asobservedinthefieldandconfirmedininterviewswithstaff.
StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page21of75
FindingNumber:2016.3
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReportNextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Otherdeadline(specify):nodeadline
FSCIndicator: FSC-US,6.9.aNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):DuringinterviewswithFMEstaff,therewasdiscussiononpossiblyexpandingtheuseofNorwayspruceandRedpinetomitigatethelossofnativeconifers,andtocontinuetoserveashabitatforRTEspecies.Anyexpandedusebeyondthecurrentlyplantedareawouldhavetobejustifiedandbasedonscientificdata.Siberiancrapabbleisnolongerproducedinthestatenursery,buthasbeenusedinthepastonearlysuccessionalhabitatprojects.Stateseedmixesforuseonloglandingsandothersensitiveareasincludenon-nativecloversandgrasses.CurrentrecommendationsfromheritagestaffaretoavoiduseofSiberiancrabappleandtheseedmix.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):Theuseofexoticspeciesshouldbecontingentontheavailabilityofcrediblescientificdataindicatingthatanysuchspeciesarenon-invasiveandthattheirapplicationdoesnotposearisktonativebiodiversity,includinganysignificantdisplacementofnativespecies.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
Nonon-nativespecieshavebeenplantedonStateForestsinrecentyears.Withtheriseofwhitetaildeerpopulationsandtheresultingincreasedpressuresonforestregeneration,thedifficultyinsecuringredspruceseedlingsandthecontinuedthreatonnativehemlockfromHemlockWoolyAdelgid,non-nativealternatives,specificallyNorwayspruce,havebeenconsideredasaviableoptioninreturningconiferstotheforestlandscapeofWesternMaryland.Thiscouldbejustpartofalargerplanwhichwouldincludefavoringnativeconifersalreadyinthestandandmanagingalreadyestablishednon-nativeconiferplantationssuchasredpineandNorwayspruce.See2016.1FMUresponseandNorwaySpruceinForestManagement.
SCSreview FMEdemonstratedadraftofitsNorwayspruceguidelines,whichreferencesaguidelineonlimiteduseofthisspeciesunderspecificcircumstancesasapossiblefunctionalsurrogateforthelossofEasternhemlockduetoitssimilarcovertypeandlongevity.RedpineoptionsarediscussedinOBS2016.1.PotentialoptionsforexpandeduseofNorwayspruceandRedpineshouldbeincorporatedintomanagementplanningdocuments,asiscurrentlyunderway.RefertoOBS2017.1.
StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
X
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page22of75
FindingNumber:2016.4
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReportNextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Otherdeadline(specify):nodeadline
FSCIndicator: FSC-US,7.1.b,7.1.cand7.1.e.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):Themanagementplandescribesthehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).However,thehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthemanagementplancouldbeexpandedtoincludetheknowledgepresentedbylocalforestrystaffduringtheaudit,whichcouldhelpsetthestageforconiferobjectivesonthelandscape.ESAplansmaynotbebeingcompletedontimeaccordingtodraftannualworkplansreviewed.Accordingtothesedrafts,ESAplansforFY2017weretobecompletedoverthewinterof2016.Afailuretocompletetheseplansmayresultinlimitedopportunitiestoavoidnegativeimpactstotheseareas,especiallywhereactivemanagementmaybenefitthespeciesorcommunitiesfoundinthem.ESAmanagementplanssetthestagefortheimplementationofmaintenanceandrecoveryobjectivesforRTEspeciesand/orsensitiveecosystems,aswellasdetailmonitoringstrategiesthatarecompatiblewiththeseobjectives.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshoulddescribehistoricalecologicalconditions,historyoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).TheFMP,specificallyforESAs,shouldincludeadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlineactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:
• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandnaturalcommunities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityandwildlifehabitats(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.
FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
WehavemetwiththeWildlife&HeritageService(WHS)leadershipwiththesolepurposeofcontinuingthedevelopmentoftheEcologicallySignificantAreadatafortheWesternMarylandstateforests.TheWHSstaffpersonwhohasstartedthisworkbyoutliningtheESAareashasnotcompletedthisworkyet.Whilethisprojectisimportanttoourforestmanagementplanningefforts,itisnotwithinourauthoritytoforcethisworktobedone.WehaveandwillcontinuetoaddressthisissuewithDNRstaffandlookforcreativealternatives.
SCSreview TheportionoftheOBSonconifersintheWesternRegion(7.1.band7.1.c)hasbeencontinuedandexpandeduponinOBS2017.1.In2016,theFY2017AnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)werestillunderdraftandthustheissuewithincompleteAWPswasnotanonconformity.Whilemanyofthesensitiveresourcesinquestionmaybemaintainedunderpassivemanagement,theAWPsarebeing
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page23of75
4.2NewCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservationsFindingNumber:2017.1
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):
FSCIndicator: FSC-US7.1.b,7.1.c.,and7.1.dNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):ContinuationofOBS2016.1,2016.3,and2016.4.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,theSustainableForestManagementPlans(SFMPs)fortheWesternRegionarecurrentlybeingrevisedforseveralreasons,includingupdatingtheinformationaboutthehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthelandscapeanddesiredfutureconditionsforthesespecies.SomeoptionsforconifermanagementarebeingexercisedasdescribedinAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs),asinthecaseoftheNortherngoshawk.TheSFMPsdescribethehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).However,thehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthemanagementplancouldbeexpandedtoincludetheknowledgepresentedbylocalforestrystaffin2016,whichcouldhelpsetthestageforconiferobjectivesonthelandscape.FMEisconsideringexpandingtheuseofnative(e.g.,Easternwhitepine,Easternhemlock,Virginiapine,Shortleafpine,etc.)andnon-nativeconifers(e.g.,NorwayspruceandRedpine)oncertainsitesasawildlifemanagementcomponent,torestorenativespecies(bothconiferandbroadleaf),andpossiblytoadapttoclimatechangeandinvasivepests/pathogens.Atthelandscapelevel,FMEhascompletedapartialassessmentoftheconifercoverasdescribedinitsresponsetoOBS2016.1,butawaytocomparethecounty-levelinformationfromtheearly1900stotodayisincomplete.InformationoncurrentconifercoveronWesternStateForestsiscomplete.Atthelandscapelevel,thedesiredfutureconditionofthenativeandnon-nativeconifercomponent,includingselectionofspeciesthatwillmeetsocial,economic,andecologicalobjectivesdependingonsiteconditions,hasnotbeenfullycompleted.FMEstaffpointedoutthatmaintenanceofcurrentconditionsmaybedesirableinmanyinstances.However,opportunitiestoexploreconnectivitybetweenconifercovertypesforwildlifemovement,hydrologyorotherobjectivescouldbeexplored.
implementedwithoutsufficientreviewfromNaturalHeritagestaff.Notonlyisreviewofoptionsforconservationand/ormaintenanceofRTEspeciesandcommunitiesanintegralpartoftheFME’sprocedures,italsoissomethingthatstakeholdersexpectfromFSC-certifiedentities.RefertoMinorCAR2017.2.
StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajor
Otherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)X
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page24of75
CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshoulddescribehistoricalecologicalconditions,historyoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).TheFMEshoulddescribea)currentconditionsofthetimberandnon-timberforestresourcesbeingmanaged;b)desiredfutureconditions;c)historicalecologicalconditions;andd)applicablemanagementobjectivesandactivitiestomovetheFMUtowarddesiredfutureconditionsFMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
SCSreview StatusofCAR: Closed
UpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
FindingNumber:2017.2
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):
FSCIndicator: FSC-US7.1.e.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):UpgradeofOBS2016.4.In2016,theFY2017AnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)werestillunderdraftandthustheissuewithincompleteAWPswasnotanonconformity.Whilemanyofthesensitiveresourcesinquestionmaybemaintainedunderpassivemanagement,theAWPsarebeingimplementedwithoutsufficientreviewfromNaturalHeritagestaff.Notonlyisreviewofoptionsforconservationand/ormaintenanceofRTEspeciesandcommunitiesanintegralpartoftheFME’sprocedures,italsoissomethingthatstakeholdersexpectfromFSC-certifiedentitiestoconformtoindicator7.1.e.TheAWPsareacomponentofthemanagementplan.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,ofconcernisthesensitivenatureofsomeofthenaturalheritageinformation.Asisthecaseinmoststates,confidentialinformationmaybeexcludedfrompubliclyavailabledocumentsinordertoprotecttheresource.
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page25of75
CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshallincludeadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlineactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:
• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandnaturalcommunities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityandwildlifehabitats(seeCriterion6.3);• waterresources(seeCriterion6.5);• soilresources(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.
FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
SCSreview StatusofCAR: Closed
UpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
FindingNumber:2017.3
Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification
3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):
FSCIndicator: FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.15,1.16,and6.1.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):Theappropriatetrademarksymbol(®insuperscriptfont)doesnotaccompanythefirstuseof“FSC”and“ForestStewardshipCouncil”ontheFME’swebsite.Notrademarkapprovalrecordsforthethreedetecteduseswereavailable(brochure,website,andAWPtemplate).Thewebsitedoesnothavethepromotionalpanel,oratleasttheFSCtrademarklicensecode,inaprominentplace.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):FMEshallimplementcorrectiveactionstoresolvethenonconformitiesdescribedabove.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)
• FMEemailedevidenceon28April2017fortheSCSlogouseapproval(recorded20April2017)ofthecountyguide.
SCSreview
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page26of75
StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)
5.StakeholderComments
InaccordancewithSCSprotocols,consultationwithkeystakeholdersisanintegralcomponentoftheevaluationprocess.Stakeholderconsultationtakesplacepriorto,concurrentwith,andfollowingfieldevaluations.Distinctpurposesofsuchconsultationinclude:
§ TosolicitinputfromaffectedpartiesastothestrengthsandweaknessesoftheFME’smanagement,relativetothestandard,andthenatureoftheinteractionbetweenthecompanyandthesurroundingcommunities.
§ Tosolicitinputonwhethertheforestmanagementoperationhasconsultedwithstakeholdersregardingidentifyinganyhighconservationvalueforests(HCVFs).
Principalstakeholdergroupsareidentifiedbaseduponresultsfrompastevaluations,listsofstakeholdersfromtheFMEunderevaluation,andadditionalstakeholdercontactsfromothersources(e.g.,chairoftheregionalFSCworkinggroup).Thefollowingtypesofgroupsandindividualsweredeterminedtobeprincipalstakeholdersinthisevaluation:
5.1StakeholderGroupsConsultedENGOs EducationalinstitutionsIndustrygroups CitizenAdvisoryCouncilmembers
StakeholderconsultationactivitiesareorganizedtogiveparticipantstheopportunitytoprovidecommentsaccordingtogeneralcategoriesofinterestbasedonthethreeFSCchambers,aswellastheSCSInterimStandard,ifonewasused.Thetablebelowsummarizesthemajorcommentsreceivedfromstakeholdersandtheassessmentteam’sresponse.Whereastakeholdercommenthastriggeredasubsequentinvestigationduringtheevaluation,thecorrespondingfollow-upactionandconclusionsfromSCSarenotedbelow.
5.2SummaryofStakeholderCommentsandResponsesfromtheTeam,WhereApplicable
FMEhasnotreceivedanystakeholdercommentsfrominterestedpartiesresultingfromstakeholderoutreachactivitiesduringthisannualaudit.Stakeholdercomments SCSResponseEconomicconcernsNonereceived. SocialconcernsIwouldliketosee: 1.AllCitizensAdvisoryCommittee(CAC)meetingsand
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page27of75
1.AlistoftheCACmeetingsforthepast2years,andwhatrepresentativesattendedeachone.2.Howtheannualworkplanswereadvertisedforpubliccomment(beyondjustpostingthemontheDNRwebsite).Forinstance:inthenewspaper?Whatnewspapers,when.Ontheradio?Whatstations,when.3.8likesonFacebook?Igetmorefrompostingapictureofmylunch.hardlyanyTwittertraffic?NonewspapersontheEasternShore?AnnouncementcameoutChristmasweek?Ashasbeenaproblemforyears...verylittleefforttogetpubliccomment.Almostseemstheydon'twantanycomments.Andhavetheyrepliedtothosewhocommentedviathewebsite?
attendancerecordsareincludedinAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)oneachStateForest’swebsite.Forexample,whenyourefertohttp://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/chesapeakeforestlands.aspx,theAWPsareinPDFformatascitedintheleft-handcolumnofthewebpage.WithineachofthoseplansyouwillseetheCACmeetingsandcomments.ItissimilarforPocomoke(http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/publiclands/eastern_pocomokeforest.aspx)andtheotherStateForests.2.FMEstaffworkedwiththeDNRDirectorofCommunicationstodisseminatethepubliccommentefforts.FMEalsoworksthroughtheDNR-ITprogramtogetthewebpagesetup.Fortheworkplans,FMEpostedthereleaseontheDNRnewspage,shareditwithpressviaanemailmessageandwiththepublicviathemonthlynewsletter.Thereleasewasalsodisplayedonsocialmediachannels.CommunicationsfacilitatedcommentsandquestionsfromthepublicwithassistancefromFMEstaff.Communicationsalsousesaservicetomonitoranddistributemediaclipsandmentions,whichitshareswithstaffandothersinthegovernmenteachbusinessday.SCSconfirmedtheseactionsviaemailrecords,files,websites,andinterviewswithFMEstaff.Forexample,thefollowingannouncementswereverified:Twitter>>https://twitter.com/search?q=%22State%20forest%20work%20plans%20released%22&src=typdFacebook>>https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%E2%80%9CState%20Forest%20Work%20Plans%20Released%E2%80%9DDNRonlinenewsletter>>http://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2016/12/19/state-forest-work-plans-released/WesternMarylandnewspaperDNRmakesthestoryavailable,thenewspapersdecidewhethertorunitornot.CumberlandTimesranit.3.Inregardstomediaoutlets,FMEsendstheannouncementtomultipleoutletsandthemanagers/editorsofthoseorganizationsdecidewhichstoriestorun,whichwasconfirmedinemailrecords.FMEhasnocontroloverwhichstoriesareselectedforpublication.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page28of75
AsforTwitterandFacebook,FMEhasnocontroloverwhodecidestolikeorretweetthem.TheannouncementcameoutonDecember19.Accordingtointerviewswithstaff,itwasFME’sintentiontohavethenewsreleasegooutafterJanuary1,whichwascommunicatedtotheCommunicationsteam,butultimatelythatdecisionwasinthehandsoftheDNRCommunicationsDirector.Thereisusuallyadelayingettingannouncementsposted,butthisonewentoutveryquickly.TheFMEnormallydoesnotreplydirectlytocommentsreceived,butwilliftheirnaturerequiresclarificationorneedstobeaddressedquickly.Whilecommentsdeserveattention,manycommentsarenotspecific,addressinganopinionratherthanaspecificworkplanproposal.Forexample,commentsarefrequentlyreceivedthatopposeanytimberharvestonstatelands.AspartoftheFME’spublicmandateistomanageforestsformultiplevalues,includingtimber,thesetypesofcommentsarerarelygivenaresponse.Thisyear,therewasoneforestharvestproposalofconcerntoastakeholdergroupintheSavageRiverStateForestAnnualWorkPlan,andFMErespondeddirectlyandinvitedtheconstituentstomeetwiththeforestmanagerintheofficeoratthesite.Thestakeholdergroupsofarhasnotacceptedtheinvitation.ThesecommentswereverifiedviacommunicationrecordsandinterviewswithFMEstaffsincetheAWPfor2018isstillunderdevelopment.FMEhasmetwithvariousconstituentsovertheyearswhenissuesariseoveritsforestmanagementpracticesandcontinuestodoso.Also,FMEreceivedtwocommentsfromEasternShoreconstituents.AllcommentsfromtheAWPreviewprocessbecomepartoftheofficialannualworkplanwhencompleted.FinalAWPsareallmadepubliclyavailableonlineontheDNRwebsite.Theseactionswereverifiedthroughemailrecords,visitorlogs,reviewofAWPs,andinterviewswithFMEstaff.SCSconcludesthattheFMEusesmultipleoutletstoreceivestakeholderfeedbackandrespondstosubstantiatedcommentsinatimelymanner.TheFME
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page29of75
alsohasaCitizensAdvisoryCommittee(CAC),whichincludesmembersofenvironmental,social,economic,andtribalconcerns.Membersarerotatedperiodicallytoensurethatdifferentcitizensandorganizationsmayberepresented.ArecreationalmemberoftheCACcommentedduringtheauditthattheirconstituentsnowcanlearnaboutforestmanagementplanningandtherationalebehindharvestsindiscussionwithFMEstaff.Nonon-conformanceiswarranted.
EnvironmentalconcernsNonereceived.
6.CertificationDecisionThecertificateholderhasdemonstratedcontinuedoverallconformancetotheapplicableForestStewardshipCouncilstandards.TheSCSannualauditteamrecommendsthatthecertificatebesustained,subjecttosubsequentannualauditsandtheFME’sresponsetoanyopenCARs.
Yes No
Comments:
7.ChangesinCertificationScope
Anychangesinthescopeofthecertificationsincethepreviousauditarehighlightedinyellowinthetablesbelow.
NameandContactInformation
Organizationname StateofMarylandDNR–ForestServiceContactperson JackPerdueAddress 580TaylorAve,E1
Annapolis,MD21401Telephone 410-260-8505Fax 410-260-8595e-mail [email protected] dnr.maryland.gov/forests
FSCSalesInformation
FSCSalescontactinformationsameasabove.FSCsalesperson Address Telephone
Fax e-mail Website
ScopeofCertificate
CertificateTypeSingleFMU MultipleFMU
X
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page30of75
GroupSLIMF(ifapplicable)
SmallSLIMFcertificate
LowintensitySLIMFcertificate
GroupSLIMFcertificate#GroupMembers(ifapplicable) 0NumberofFMUsinscopeofcertificate 1Geographiclocationofnon-SLIMFFMU(s) Latitude&Longitude:
SavageRiverStateForest-39.576,-79.129GreenRidgeStateForest-39.631,-78.475PotomacStateForest-39.472,-79.439GarrettStateForest-39.341,-79.28PocomokeStateForest-38.15,-75.487ChesapeakeForestLands-38.329,-75.799
Forestzone Boreal Temperate
Subtropical Tropical
Totalforestareainscopeofcertificatewhichis:Units: haor acprivatelymanaged statemanaged 211,044(2016)acreagehasexpanded,someyetto
beclassifiedformanagement.communitymanaged
NumberofFMUsinscopethatare:lessthan100hainarea 100-1000hainarea 1000-10000hainarea morethan10000hainarea 1
TotalforestareainscopeofcertificatewhichisincludedinFMUsthat:Units: haor acarelessthan100hainarea arebetween100haand1000hainarea meettheeligibilitycriteriaaslowintensitySLIMFFMUs DivisionofFMUsintomanageableunits:FMEconsiderstwoforestregionsbasedonregionalforesttypes:EasternandWesternRegions.FMEthendividesthestateforestsystemintofourgeographicdistricts.Undereachgeographicdistricttherearestateforests,whicharethenmanagedaccordingtoastateforest-levellong-termmanagementplanandannualworkplan.AfulldescriptionofhowtheFMUisdividedintomanageableunitsisavailablepubliclyviatheFME’swebsite:http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/.
ProductionForests
TimberForestProductsUnits: haor ac
Totalareaofproductionforest(i.e.forestfromwhichtimbermaybeharvested)
135,101
Areaofproductionforestclassifiedas'plantation' Areaofproductionforestregeneratedprimarilybyreplantingorbyacombinationofreplantingandcoppicingoftheplantedstems
Areaofproductionforestregeneratedprimarilybynatural
X
X
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page31of75
FSCProductClassification
regeneration,orbyacombinationofnaturalregenerationandcoppicingofthenaturallyregeneratedstemsSilviculturalsystem(s) Areaundertypeof
managementEven-agedmanagement
Clearcut(clearcutsizerange
) Shelterwood Other:
Uneven-agedmanagement Individualtreeselection Groupselection Other:
Other(e.g.nursery,recreationarea,windbreak,bamboo,silvo-pastoralsystem,agro-forestrysystem,etc.)
Thesustainablerateofharvest(usuallyAnnualAllowableHarvestorAAHwhereavailable)ofcommercialtimber(m3ofroundwood)
2.4mmbfundervolregulation,plus780acunderarearegulation
Non-timberForestProducts(NTFPs)AreaofforestprotectedfromcommercialharvestingoftimberandmanagedprimarilyfortheproductionofNTFPsorservices
OtherareasmanagedforNTFPsorservices Approximateannualcommercialproductionofnon-timberforestproductsincludedinthescopeofthecertificate,byproducttype
ExplanationoftheassumptionsandreferencetothedatasourceuponwhichAAHandNTFPharvestratesestimatesarebased:SeeSFMPChapter5,AppendixHandCFISummaryforeachStateForest.MDDNRusesRemsoft’sWoodstockprogramtoanalyzeforestinventorydatatoprojectsustainableharvestlevelsbasedonallowedsilviculturalsystems.Harvestratesarebasedonareacontrolratherthanvolumecontrolcurrently.Forexample,theGreenRidgeSFMPincludesadescriptionofthemaximumnumberofacresthatmaybetreatedwithvariableretentionharvests.AppendixHincludesadescriptionoftheassumptionsbehindthegrowthandyieldmodeling,includingtheelementsoftheindicator.Summariesofprojectedgrowthandallowableharvestsbasedongrowthrates,mortality,disease,etc.areincludedinAppendixH.SpeciesinscopeofjointFM/COCcertificate:(Scientific/LatinNameandCommon/TradeName)Acerrubrum;Acerspp.;Caryaspp.;Celtisoccidentalis;Fagusgrandifolia;Fraxinusspp.;JuglansnigraL.;LiquidambarstyracifluaL.;LiriodendrontulipiferaL.;NyssasylvaticaMarsh;Pinusechinata;Pinustaeda;Pinusserotina;Quercusspp.;Quercusalba;Quercusrubra;TiliaamericanaL;Tsugacanadensis(L.)Carr.;Ulmusspp.
TimberproductsProductLevel1 ProductLevel2 SpeciesW1RoughWood W1.1Roundwood(logs) All W1.2FuelWood
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page32of75
ConservationAreas
Totalareaofforestandnon-forestlandprotectedfromcommercialharvestingoftimberandmanagedprimarilyforconservationobjectives:
71,390ac
HighConservationValueForest/Areas
HighConservationValuespresentandrespectiveareas:Units: haor acCode HCVType Description&Location AreaHCV1 Forestsorareascontainingglobally,
regionallyornationallysignificantconcentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.endemism,endangeredspecies,refugia).
EcologicallySignificant/Wildlands-Easternregion;EcologicallySignificant/Wildlands-Westernregion
15,22616,656
HCV2 Forestsorareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificantlargelandscapelevelforests,containedwithin,orcontainingthemanagementunit,whereviablepopulationsofmostifnotallnaturallyoccurringspeciesexistinnaturalpatternsofdistributionandabundance.
HCV3 Forestsorareasthatareinorcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystems.
CoreFIDshabitat;coreDFShabitat–Easternregion;oldgrowthandoldgrowthmanagement–Westernregion
18,48424,874
HCV4 Forestsorareasthatprovidebasicservicesofnatureincriticalsituations(e.g.watershedprotection,erosioncontrol).
RiparianBufferAreas–Easternregion;RiparianBufferAreas–Westernregion
38,2742,145
HCV5 Forestsorareasfundamentaltomeetingbasicneedsoflocalcommunities(e.g.subsistence,health).
W1.3Twigs W3Woodinchipsorparticles
W3.1Woodchips All
Non-TimberForestProductsProductLevel1 ProductLevel2 ProductLevel3andSpecies
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page33of75
HCV6 Forestsorareascriticaltolocalcommunities’traditionalculturalidentity(areasofcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificanceidentifiedincooperationwithsuchlocalcommunities).
TotalAreaofforestclassifiedas‘HighConservationValueForest/Area’ 71,984
AreasOutsideoftheScopeofCertification(PartialCertificationandExcision)
N/A–Allforestlandownedormanagedbytheapplicantisincludedinthescope.
Applicantownsand/ormanagesotherFMUsnotunderevaluation.
ApplicantwishestoexciseportionsoftheFMU(s)underevaluationfromthescopeofcertification.ExplanationforexclusionofFMUsand/orexcision:
Theseotherstateforestsseeverylittlesilviculturalactivityandarerelativelysmallinacreage.Wehavenointerestinpursuingcertificationcurrentlyontheselands.
Controlmeasurestopreventmixingofcertifiedandnon-certifiedproduct(C8.3):
Theseadditionalpropertiesarenotlocatedneartheareasincludedinthecurrentorexpandedcertificationscope.Harvestingisverylimitedandusuallyforthepurposeofsalvageordemonstration.ThesepropertiesarenotallowedtousetheFSCcertificateorlicensecodes.
DescriptionofFMUsexcludedfrom,orforestedareaexcisedfrom,thescopeofcertification:NameofFMUorStand Location(city,state,country) Size( haor ac)ElkNeckStateForest Northeast,MD,Cecil 3,380CedarvilleStateForest Brandywine,MD,PrinceGeorges 3,625DoncasterDemonstrationForest Ironsides,MD,Charles 1,953StoneyDemonstrationForest Aberdeen,MD,Harford 318SalemStateForest Leonardtown,MD,StMary’s 837
8.AnnualDataUpdate
8.1SocialInformationNumberofforestworkers(includingcontractors)workinginforestwithinscopeofcertificate(differentiatedbygender):#ofmaleworkers:27 #offemaleworkers:9Numberofaccidentsinforestworksincelastaudit: Serious:0 Fatal:0
8.2AnnualSummaryofPesticideandOtherChemicalUse
MarylandDNRForestService::2016
AnnualSummaryofpesticideandotherchemicaluse
(overapprox.last12months)
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page34of75
Forest
Commercialnameofpesticide/herbicide
Activeingredient
Quantityapplied
annually(kgorlbs)
Sizeofareatreatedduring
previousyear(haorac)
Reasonforuse
e.g.SavageRiverStateForest Gly4 Glyphosate
2gal(2%solution) 1acre WeedControl
SavageRiverStateForest ArsenalAC Imazapyr
76.5oz.activeingredient 102acres
Hardwoodcutsurface(hackandsquirt)
SavageRiverStateForest RazorPro Glyphosate
2lbsactiveingredient/acre
102acres
Foliarsprayforfern,grassandsedgecontrol
SavageRiverStateForest OustXP
Sulfometuronethyl
1.5ozactiveingredient/acre 102acres
Foliarsprayforfern,grassandsedgecontrol
SavageRiverStateForest Gly4 Glyphosate
36oz.ofactiveingredient 2acres
Invasivespeciescontrol(Japaneseknotweed)
SavageRiverStateForest Gly4Plus Glyphosate
48oz.ofactiveingredient 8acres
Foliarsprayforferncontrol
SavageRiverStateForest
Round-UpProDry Glyphosate
22.5oz.ofactiveingredient 8acres
Hardwoodcutsurface(hackandsquirt)
SavageRiverStateForest
Garlon4Ultra Triclopyr
48oz.ofactiveingredient 8acres
Hardwoodcutsurface(hackandsquirt)
GreenRidgeStateForest Vanquish Dicamba 16OZ
30acres100stems Ailanthuscontrol
GreenRidgeStateForest
RoundupProConcentrate Glyphosate
84OZ 54acres,600stems Ailanthuscontrol
PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-5) ArsenalAC Imazapyr
3%solutionon25ac.=31oz. 25ac.
TSIWoodyveg.control
PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-5) RazorPro Glyphosate
2#/ac.on25ac.=50# 25ac.
fernandgrass/foliarspray
PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-5) Oust
Sulfometuronmethyl
1.5oz./acon25ac.=37.5oz. 25ac.
fernandgrass/foliarspray
PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-6) ArsenalAC Imazapyr
3%solutionon15ac.=10.5oz. 15ac.
TSIWoodyveg.control
PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-7) RazorPro Glyphosate
2#/ac.on18ac.=36# 18ac.
fernandgrass/foliarspray
PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-7) Oust
Sulfometuronmethyl
1.5oz./acon18ac.=27oz. 18ac.
fernandgrass/foliarspray
PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-33) RazorPro Glyphosate
2#/ac.on45ac.=90# 45ac.
fernandgrass/foliarspray
PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-33) Oust
Sulfometuronmethyl
1.5oz./acon45ac.=67.5oz. 45ac.
fernandgrass/foliarspray
PotomacGarrettStateForest(7-5) RazorPro Glyphosate
2#/ac.on19ac.=38# 19ac.
fernandgrass/foliarspray
PotomacGarrettStateForest(7-5) Oust
Sulfometuronmethyl
1.5oz./acon19ac.=28.5oz. 19ac.
fernandgrass/foliarspray
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page35of75
PotomacGarrettStateForest(7-5) ArsenalAC Imazapyr
3%solutionon19ac.=13.3oz. 19ac.
TSIWoodyveg.control
PotomacGarrettStateForest(SprucePlanting) ArsenalAC Imazapyr
2%solutionon100sq.ft.=.5oz. 100sq.ft.
GrassControlinSprucePlanting
PotomacGarrettStateForest(Comp17,25,41) ArsenalAC Imazapyr
2%solutionon1stem=.01oz. 1stem
Non-nativeInvasiveSpeciesHackandSquirt
PotomacGarrettStateForest(Comp7) Gly4 Glyphosate
3%solutionon200sq.ft.=2oz. 200sq.ft.
Non-nativeInvasiveSpeciesFoliar
PotomacGarrettStateForest(Comp19) Gly4 Glyphosate
3%solutionon<1ac.=1/2oz. <1ac.
Non-nativeInvasiveSpeciesCutSurface
PotomacGarrettStateForest(Comp35) Oustxp
Sulfometuronmethyl
2oz./ac.On2400sq.ft.=.36oz. 2400sq.ft. dewberryfoliarspray
PocomokeStateForest Makaze Glyphosate
1.5gal(2%solution)
7,400sq.ft/0.17ac.
Invasivegrass/weedcontrol
ChesapeakeForest Makaze Glyphosate10.125gal(2%solution)
21,400sq.ft/0.49ac.
Invasivegrass/weedcontrol
ChesapeakeForestArsenal+Escort+Herbimax
Imazapyr+MetsulfuronMethyl+PetroleumSurfactant
16oz+2oz+2.5oz 36.7ac. Hardwoodcontrol
ChesapeakeForestArsenal+Herbimax
Imazapyr+PetroleumSurfactant
8oz+2.5oz26.8 Hardwoodcontrol
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page36of75
SECTIONB–APPENDICES(CONFIDENTIAL)
Appendix1–ListofFMUsSelectedforEvaluation
FMEconsistsofasingleFMU
FMEconsistsofmultipleFMUsorisaGroup
Appendix2–ListofStakeholdersConsulted
ListofFMEStaffConsulted
CFCASig nIn042417.pdf
CFCASig nIn042517.pdf
CFCASig nIn042617.pdf
ListofotherStakeholdersConsulted
Name Organization ContactInformation Consultationmethod
RequestsCert.Notf.
JoanMaloof ExecutiveDirector,Old-GrowthForestNetwork;andProfessorEmeritus,SalisburyUniversity
[email protected];410-251-1800
Email Y
MartyRenshaw
RenshawLogging Bus.(410)543-2757Cell(410)726-2166
Field N
Anemailwassenttostakeholdersinadvanceoftheaudittoaskforcomments.Onecommentwasreceived.Nostakeholderscontactedbyphonereturnedanycalls.Seedailysign-insheets(PDFfilesabove)forCACmembers.
Appendix3–AdditionalAuditTechniquesEmployed
None.
Additionaltechniquesemployed(describe):
Appendix4–PesticideDerogations
TherearenoactivepesticidederogationsforthisFME.
Appendix5–DetailedObservationsCriteriarequiredbyFSCateverysurveillanceaudit(checkallsituationsthatapply)
NA–allFMUsareexemptfromtheserequirements.
Plantations>10,000ha(24,710ac):2.3,4.2,4.4,6.7,6.9,10.6,10.7,and10.8
Naturalforests>50,000ha(123,553ac)(‘lowintensity’SLIMFsexempt):1.5,2.3,3.2,4.2,4.4,5.6,6.2,6.3,8.2,and9.4
X
X
X
XX
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page37of75
FMUscontainingHighConservationValues(‘smallforest’SLIMFsexempt):6.2,6.3,6.9and9.4
DocumentsandrecordsreviewedforFMUs/sitessampled
Allapplicabledocumentsandrecordsasrequiredinsection7ofauditplanwerereviewed;or
Thefollowingdocumentsandrecordsasrequiredinsection7oftheauditplanwereNOTreviewed(provideexplanation):
EvaluationYear FSCP&CReviewed2014 All–(Re)certificationEvaluation2015 1.3,1.5,1.6,2.3,3.1,3.2,3.4,4.2,4.4,5.6,6.2,6.3,6.5,6.6,6.9,7.1,7.2,7.4,8.2,
8.3(COCindicatorsforFMEs)and9.42016 1.1,1.2,1.4,1.5,2.3,3.2,4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,4.5,5.5,5.6,6.2,6.3,6.7,6.8,6.9,6.10,
7.3,8.2and9.42017 SeealsomandatoryCriteria;and2.1,2.2,3.3,6.1,8.1,8.4,and8.5.2018 SeealsomandatoryCriteria;and5.1,5.2,5.3,5.4,6.4,9.1,9.2,and9.3.C=ConformancewithCriterionorIndicatorNC=NonconformancewithCriterionorIndicatorNA=NotApplicableNE=NotEvaluated
AbbreviationsforMarylandDNRStateForestswhichmaybeusedinthischecklist:
CF/PSF=ChesapeakeForest/PocomokeStateForestDFS=DelmarvaFoxSquirrelESA=EcologicallySensitiveAreaFIDS=ForestInteriorDwellingSpeciesGRSF=GreenRidgeStateForest
PGSF=PotomacGarrettStateForestS/FMP=Sustainable/ForestManagementPlanSRSF=SavageRiverStateForestROW=Right-of-wayRTE=Rare,threatenedorendangered
REQUIREMENT C/NC COMMENT/CAR
Principle#1:CompliancewithLawsandFSCPrinciplesForestmanagementshallrespectallapplicablelawsofthecountryinwhichtheyoccur,andinternationaltreatiesandagreementstowhichthecountryisasignatory,andcomplywithallFSCPrinciplesandCriteria.1.1Forestmanagementshallrespectallnationalandlocallawsandadministrativerequirements.
NE
1.2.Allapplicableandlegallyprescribedfees,royalties,taxesandotherchargesshallbepaid.
NE
1.3.Insignatorycountries,theprovisionsofallbindinginternationalagreementssuchasCITES,ILOConventions,ITTA,andConventiononBiologicalDiversity,shallberespected.
NE
1.4.Conflictsbetweenlaws,regulationsandtheFSCPrinciplesandCriteriashallbeevaluatedforthepurposesof
NE
X
X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page38of75
certification,onacasebycasebasis,bythecertifiersandtheinvolvedoraffectedparties.1.5.Forestmanagementareasshouldbeprotectedfromillegalharvesting,settlementandotherunauthorizedactivities.
C
1.5.a.TheforestownerormanagersupportsorimplementsmeasuresintendedtopreventillegalandunauthorizedactivitiesontheForestManagementUnit(FMU).
C FMEhasadepartmentofNaturalResourcesPolice(NRP)thatregularlypatrolstatelandstopreventanddetectunauthorizedactivities.Inaddition,FMEgatesroadsandpostssignagethatcitesapplicablelawsandregulations.
1.5.b.Ifillegalorunauthorizedactivitiesoccur,theforestownerormanagerimplementsactionsdesignedtocurtailsuchactivitiesandcorrectthesituationtotheextentpossibleformeetingalllandmanagementobjectiveswithconsiderationofavailableresources.
C FMEdidnotreportanysignificantillegalorunauthorizedactivitiessincethelastaudit.Perinterviewswithstaff,FME’sNRPprosecutesorfinesviolators.NRPalsoworkswithlocallawenforcementtodealwithmorecomplexsituationsinvolvingillegalactivities,suchasmarijuanaoperations.FMEstaffregularlycleanupdumpsitestoavoidattraction.Interviewswithstaffindicatethatoutsideofthisoccasionaldumping,therehavebeennomajorillegalorunauthorizedactivities.
1.6.Forestmanagersshalldemonstratealong-termcommitmenttoadheretotheFSCPrinciplesandCriteria.
NE
Principle#2:Long-termtenureanduserightstothelandandforestresourcesshallbeclearlydefined,documentedandlegallyestablished.2.1.Clearevidenceoflong-termforestuserightstotheland(e.g.,landtitle,customaryrights,orleaseagreements)shallbedemonstrated.
C
2.1.aTheforestownerormanagerprovidesclearevidenceoflong-termrightstouseandmanagetheFMUforthepurposesdescribedinthemanagementplan.
C SeeTaxMapsandDeedDescriptionsviaMDLandRec.net(DigitalImageRetrievalSystemforthelandsofMD).CopiesofdeedsaremaintainedateachStateForestOffice.JeanLipphard,LandAcquisition&Planning(LAP)/Annapolis,hasoriginals.AsampleofdeedswasshownfortheChesapeakeandPocomokeStateForests;thesefilesaremaintainedinlocalofficesinbinders.
2.1.bTheforestownerormanageridentifiesanddocumentslegallyestablisheduseandaccessrightsassociatedwiththeFMUthatareheldbyotherparties.
C FME’slegaldepartment(OfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral)maintainsrecordsofuseandaccessrights,suchasdeededrights-of-way.LAPmaintainsoriginaldocuments.
2.1.cBoundariesoflandownershipanduserightsareclearlyidentifiedonthegroundandonmapspriortocommencingmanagementactivitiesinthevicinityoftheboundaries.
C Boundariesarepaintedandsometimesincludesigns,butROWandeasementsarenot.FMEhasinternalroadsandROWmapped.AllpropertyboundariesobservedontheEasternState
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page39of75
Forestswereclearlysignedand/orpainted.Thesearealsovisibleonmaps.Harvestsobservedin2017hadpropertyboundarytreepaintedandretentiontreesnearpropertyboundarieswereevident.
2.2.Localcommunitieswithlegalorcustomarytenureoruserightsshallmaintaincontrol,totheextentnecessarytoprotecttheirrightsorresources,overforestoperationsunlesstheydelegatecontrolwithfreeandinformedconsenttootheragencies.
C
2.2.aTheforestownerormanagerallowstheexerciseoftenureanduserightsallowablebylaworregulation.
C SeeevidencepresentedinC2.1.Therearehunt-leasesontheChesapeakeStateForestforwhichcontractsweredemonstratedforfilesmaintainedinFMEoffices.AllotherStateForestsallowpublichuntingandotheruserights,suchasplantcollection,viaapermitsystem.Signageonpropertyboundariesindicatesifpublichuntingisallowed.PowerlineROWsaremappedandeasilyidentifiableinthefieldsincethepowercompanykeepsthemclear.
2.2.bInFMUswheretenureoruserightsheldbyothersexist,theforestownerormanagerconsultswithgroupsthatholdsuchrightssothatmanagementactivitiesdonotsignificantlyimpacttheusesorbenefitsofsuchrights.
C SeeevidencepresentedinC2.1.PerhuntleaserequirementsonChesapeake,FMEmaintainscommunicationsovertimbersalesastimberharvestsareusedtopromotewildlifehabitat.
2.3.Appropriatemechanismsshallbeemployedtoresolvedisputesovertenureclaimsanduserights.Thecircumstancesandstatusofanyoutstandingdisputeswillbeexplicitlyconsideredinthecertificationevaluation.Disputesofsubstantialmagnitudeinvolvingasignificantnumberofinterestswillnormallydisqualifyanoperationfrombeingcertified.
C
2.3.aIfdisputesariseregardingtenureclaimsoruserightsthentheforestownerormanagerinitiallyattemptstoresolvethemthroughopencommunication,negotiation,and/ormediation.Ifthesegood-faitheffortsfail,thenfederal,state,and/orlocallawsareemployedtoresolvesuchdisputes.
C FMEstaffreportednonewdisputesovertenureclaimsoruserights.Thereareseveralcasesthatareopenrelatedtoencroachmentontostateforestsfromadjacentlandowners.Eachstateforestmaintainsitsownrecords,butthelandplanningofficemaybecomeinvolvedinreviewingrecordsandsurveyinformation.FME’slawyersatheadquartersreviewboundarydisputesandencroachment,andtakethefinalactionstoresolvetheseissues.
2.3.bTheforestownerormanagerdocumentsanysignificantdisputesovertenureanduserights.
C
Principle#3:Thelegalandcustomaryrightsofindigenouspeoplestoown,useandmanagetheirlands,territories,andresourcesshallberecognizedandrespected.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page40of75
3.1.Indigenouspeoplesshallcontrolforestmanagementontheirlandsandterritoriesunlesstheydelegatecontrolwithfreeandinformedconsenttootheragencies.
NE
3.2.Forestmanagementshallnotthreatenordiminish,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,theresourcesortenurerightsofindigenouspeoples.
NA
3.2.aDuringmanagementplanning,theforestownerormanagerconsultswithAmericanIndiangroupsthathavelegalrightsorotherbindingagreementstotheFMUtoavoidharmingtheirresourcesorrights.
NA Therearenotribalforestmanagementorownership/userightsonFMElands.TherearenositesofspecialtribalsignificanceonthecertifiedFMU.TherearenotribeswithlegalrightsorbindingagreementstotheFMU,asconfirmedthroughinterviewswithstaffandreviewoftenuredocumentsunderC2.1.RoutinecommunicationwithChiefsinregardstomanagementactivitiesandpublicpostingofAWP’sontheforestwebsite.FMEstaffreportedthatactivitiesin2016-17didnotaffectanytribalissues.
3.2.bDemonstrableactionsaretakensothatforestmanagementdoesnotadverselyaffecttribalresources.Whenapplicable,evidenceof,andmeasuresfor,protectingtribalresourcesareincorporatedinthemanagementplan.
NA
3.3.Sitesofspecialcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificancetoindigenouspeoplesshallbeclearlyidentifiedincooperationwithsuchpeoples,andrecognizedandprotectedbyforestmanagers.
C
3.3.a.Theforestownerormanagerinvitesconsultationwithtribalrepresentativesinidentifyingsitesofcurrentortraditionalcultural,archeological,ecological,economicorreligioussignificance.
C Aspartofthemanagementplanningprocess,tribalrepresentativesareinvitedtocommentontheFME’splannedactivities.Nocommentshavebeenreceivedduringthepastthreeyears,perinterviewswithFMEstaffandreviewoftheAWPs.SCS’effortstoreachouttostakeholderspriortotheaudit,includingemailsandphonecalls,yieldednocommentsfromtribalrepresentatives.However,initialmanagementplanningconductedduringthefirstfewyearofFSCandSFIcertificationyieldedsomecommentsfromtribalrepresentativesthathavebeenincorporatedintomanagementplans.Also,allstateforestproposalsarereviewedbytheMarylandHistoricalTrustduringtheplanningphase.FMEstaffmaintainscontactwiththeMarylandCommissiononIndianAffairssince
3.3.bInconsultationwithtribalrepresentatives,theforestownerormanagerdevelopsmeasurestoprotectorenhanceareasofspecialsignificance(seealsoCriterion9.1).
C
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page41of75
triballeadershipchangesperiodicallyand,attimes,thereareconflictsbetweentribesoverpoliticalissuesaccordingtoFMEstaff.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaffinChesapeake/Pocomoke,therearerecenteffortsatre-establishingcontactwitharecognizedtribesincetherehasbeenaleadershipchange.Emailrecordsofthesecommunicationsweredemonstratedonsite.
3.4.Indigenouspeoplesshallbecompensatedfortheapplicationoftheirtraditionalknowledgeregardingtheuseofforestspeciesormanagementsystemsinforestoperations.Thiscompensationshallbeformallyagreeduponwiththeirfreeandinformedconsentbeforeforestoperationscommence.
NE
Principle#4:Forestmanagementoperationsshallmaintainorenhancethelong-termsocialandeconomicwell-beingofforestworkersandlocalcommunities.4.1.Thecommunitieswithin,oradjacentto,theforestmanagementareashouldbegivenopportunitiesforemployment,training,andotherservices.
NE
4.2.Forestmanagementshouldmeetorexceedallapplicablelawsand/orregulationscoveringhealthandsafetyofemployeesandtheirfamilies.
C
4.2.aTheforestownerormanagermeetsorexceedsallapplicablelawsand/orregulationscoveringhealthandsafetyofemployeesandtheirfamilies(alsoseeCriterion1.1).
C FMEreportednoaccidentsorsafetyincidentssincethelastaudit,andthattherehavebeennochangestohealth&safetyregulationsorcontracttemplates.OSHApostingswereobservedinallstateforestoffices.PerinterviewswithFMEstaff,allareawareofhealthandsafetylawsandreceiveregulartrainingonthesubject.TrainingrecordswereprovidedforFMEstaffandstaffofcontractors(e.g.,ParkerForestryStaffTraining-March24,2015thruApril21,2017).AuditorsexaminedpersonnelfilesmaintainedatChesapeakeStateForest,whichcontaintrainingrecordssuchastrailmaintenance,firecertification,FEMA,stateforestrylicenses,CFEsforSAF,etc.Auditorsconfirmedpesticideapplicators’licensesfortheonlytwoqualified
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page42of75
staffattheChesapeake-PocomokeStateForest(AlexClark,license27515-75484;MichaelSchofield,27515-39330).
4.2.bTheforestownerormanagerandtheiremployeesandcontractorsdemonstrateasafeworkenvironment.Contractsorotherwrittenagreementsincludesafetyrequirements.
C Items6,10,and11ofParkerForestryServices’contractsaddresssafetyrequirements.StateofMarylandcontractsreviewedincludesafetyrequirementsinitems15(accidentprevention),16(insurance),and19(lawapplicable).Chemicalapplicationcontractsreviewedincluderequirementsforlicensing,whichaddressessafetyandqualifications(item9).Evidenceofsafefellingtechniqueswereobservedinthefieldonstumpsanduseofslashonskidtrails.Chemicalapplicationmapsdemonstratethathazardzonesandprotectedareasareavoided,consistentwithhowtheyareidentifiedinpre-applicationmaps.
4.2.cTheforestownerormanagerhireswell-qualifiedserviceproviderstosafelyimplementthemanagementplan.
C Throughuseofacompetitivebiddingsystemanduseofstrictcontractsthatincludeloggerlicensingandsafetyrequirements,FMEensuresthatitusesqualifiedserviceproviders.Evidence:contractsforalltimbersalesarrangedbyParkerForestryServicesvisited(item6,MasterLoggerrequirement);andstatecontracts(item5,Conditions).ParkerForestrydemonstratedacopyofthe2016MasterLoggerlist,whichincludesallloggersusedontimberharvestsintheEasternRegion.Chemicalapplicationcontractsreviewedincluderequirementsforlicensing,whichaddressessafetyandqualifications(item9).
4.3TherightsofworkerstoorganizeandvoluntarilynegotiatewiththeiremployersshallbeguaranteedasoutlinedinConventions87and98oftheInternationalLaborOrganization(ILO).
NE
4.4.Managementplanningandoperationsshallincorporatetheresultsofevaluationsofsocialimpact.Consultationsshallbemaintainedwithpeopleandgroups(bothmenandwomen)directlyaffectedbymanagementoperations.
C
4.4.aTheforestownerormanagerunderstandsthelikelysocialimpactsofmanagementactivities,andincorporatesthisunderstandingintomanagementplanningandoperations.Socialimpactsincludeeffectson:
C TheAnnualWorkPlanandIDTeamprocessesarerobustexamplesofplanningeffortsthatallowforconsiderationofsocialimpactsasdescribedinthisindicator.FMEmostrecentlyupdatedits
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page43of75
• Archeologicalsitesandsitesofcultural,historicalandcommunitysignificance(onandofftheFMU;
• Publicresources,includingair,waterandfood(hunting,fishing,collecting);
• Aesthetics;• Communitygoalsforforestandnaturalresourceuseand
protectionsuchasemployment,subsistence,recreationandhealth;
• Communityeconomicopportunities;• Otherpeoplewhomaybeaffectedbymanagement
operations.AsummaryisavailabletotheCB.
socialimpactssummaryinresponseaMinorCARin2014.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,WesternStateForestshaveengagedincooperativeprojectwithFrostburgStateUniversitytocarryoutaRecreation/TourismEconomicImpactStudy,withsurveyworkslatedtobegininApril2017.
4.4.bTheforestownerormanagerseeksandconsidersinputinmanagementplanningfrompeoplewhowouldlikelybeaffectedbymanagementactivities.
C SRSF—CommentsregardingtheFY-18AnnualWorkPlanwerereceivedviae-mail,phonecallsandletters.SeveralstakeholdershaveairedconcernsoveranFY-18silviculturalproposalinCompartment38thatinvolvesaregenerationharvestona55-acremanagementunit.Theunitabutsthepropertiesoftwostakeholders.Bothstakeholders/landownersareapprehensiveoftheharvestanditspotentialimpactontheirwatersupply,propertyvalues,andviewshed.Aresponsetothestakeholdersisbeingformulatedandtheinvitationforasite-visithasbeenextendedtotheinterestedpartiestoreviewtheharvestproposalandaddresspertinentissues.FMEreportedthatfewcommentshavebeenreceivedfromstakeholderssincethelastauditonotherStateForests.MostcommentsarereceivedduringtheAnnualWorkPlan(AWP)reviewprocessfromtheCitizensAdvisoryCommittees.SCSreviewedcomplaintslogatChesapeakeForest,whichascomplaintsdatingbackto2011.Themostrecentcomplaintsdateto2015,allofwhichhavebeenresolved.
4.4.cPeoplewhoaresubjecttodirectadverseeffectsofmanagementoperationsareapprisedofrelevantactivitiesinadvanceoftheactionsothattheymayexpressconcern.
C Referto4.4.b.
4.4.dForpublicforests,consultationshallincludethefollowingcomponents:
C Referto4.4.b.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page44of75
1. Clearlydefinedandaccessiblemethodsforpublicparticipationareprovidedinbothlongandshort-termplanningprocesses,includingharvestplansandoperationalplans;
2. Publicnotificationissufficienttoallowinterestedstakeholdersthechancetolearnofupcomingopportunitiesforpublicreviewand/orcommentontheproposedmanagement;
3. Anaccessibleandaffordableappealsprocesstoplanningdecisionsisavailable.
Planningdecisionsincorporatetheresultsofpublicconsultation.Alldraftandfinalplanningdocuments,andtheirsupportingdata,aremadereadilyavailabletothepublic.
SeeresponsetoMinorCAR2014.6inthe2015annualauditreport.Therehasbeennochangesincethelastaudit.
4.5.Appropriatemechanismsshallbeemployedforresolvinggrievancesandforprovidingfaircompensationinthecaseoflossordamageaffectingthelegalorcustomaryrights,property,resources,orlivelihoodsoflocalpeoples.Measuresshallbetakentoavoidsuchlossordamage.
NE
Principle#5:Forestmanagementoperationsshallencouragetheefficientuseoftheforest’smultipleproductsandservicestoensureeconomicviabilityandawiderangeofenvironmentalandsocialbenefits.5.1.Forestmanagementshouldstrivetowardeconomicviability,whiletakingintoaccountthefullenvironmental,social,andoperationalcostsofproduction,andensuringtheinvestmentsnecessarytomaintaintheecologicalproductivityoftheforest.
NE
5.2.Forestmanagementandmarketingoperationsshouldencouragetheoptimaluseandlocalprocessingoftheforest’sdiversityofproducts.
NE
5.3.Forestmanagementshouldminimizewasteassociatedwithharvestingandon-siteprocessingoperationsandavoiddamagetootherforestresources.
NE
5.4.Forestmanagementshouldstrivetostrengthenanddiversifythelocaleconomy,avoidingdependenceonasingleforestproduct.
NE
5.5.Forestmanagementoperationsshallrecognize,maintain,and,whereappropriate,enhancethevalueofforestservicesandresourcessuchaswatershedsandfisheries.
NE
5.6.Therateofharvestofforestproductsshallnotexceedlevelswhichcanbepermanentlysustained.
C
5.6.aInFMUswhereproductsarebeingharvested,thelandownerormanagercalculatesthesustainedyieldharvest
C FMEcalculatestheAAHforeachStateForestinthescope.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page45of75
levelforeachsustainedyieldplanningunit,andprovidesclearrationalefordeterminingthesizeandlayoutoftheplanningunit.ThesustainedyieldharvestlevelcalculationisdocumentedintheManagementPlan.Thesustainedyieldharvestlevelcalculationforeachplanningunitisbasedon:• documentedgrowthratesforparticularsites,and/or
acreageofforesttypes,age-classesandspeciesdistributions;
• mortalityanddecayandotherfactorsthataffectnetgrowth;
• areasreservedfromharvestorsubjecttoharvestrestrictionstomeetothermanagementgoals;
• silviculturalpracticesthatwillbeemployedontheFMU;• managementobjectivesanddesiredfutureconditions.Thecalculationismadebyconsideringtheeffectsofrepeatedprescribedharvestsontheproduct/speciesanditsecosystem,aswellasplannedmanagementtreatmentsandprojectionsofsubsequentregrowthbeyondsinglerotationandmultiplere-entries.
OfeachStateForest,onlyonehasreportedchangesinitscalculatedAAH:SRSFhasbeenconductinganextensiveforestinventoryprojectforpast5years.InitialinventoryworkhasbeencompletedontheharvestableareasofSRSFandtheanalysisofthisdatawillbethebasisforanychangesthatmaybenecessaryinadjustingtheannualallowableharvestrate.SeeSFMPChapter5,AppendixHandCFISummaryforeachStateForest.FMEusesRemsoft’sWoodstockprogramtoanalyzeforestinventorydatatoprojectsustainableharvestlevelsbasedonallowedsilviculturalsystems.Harvestratesarebasedonareacontrolratherthanvolumecontrolcurrently.AppendixHincludesadescriptionoftheassumptionsbehindthegrowthandyieldmodeling,includingtheelementsoftheindicator.Summariesofprojectedgrowthandallowableharvestsbasedongrowthrates,mortality,disease,etc.areincludedinAppendixH.In2017,FEMrecentlycompletedupdatedmodellingfortheEasternRegionusingforestinventorydataandsiteindexesmodeledusingREMSOFT’ssoftware.Themodelconsidersgrowthrates,sitequality,currentage/sizeclass,speciescomposition,managementzone,operability,managementconstraintssuchasFIDS,ESAsandDFS,silviculturalpractices,andobjectives.
5.6.bAverageannualharvestlevels,overrollingperiodsofnomorethan10years,donotexceedthecalculatedsustainedyieldharvestlevel.
C GRSF—TheallowableharvestwithintheGRSFGeneralForestAreaistomanage200acresforendofrotationregenerationharvests.FMEmanaged190acressincethelastaudit.SRSF—SeeAppendix3intheSavageRiverStateForestFY2017AnnualWorkPlan.1.0MMBF
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page46of75
planned,941,285actual.PGSF—634MBFplanned,542MBFactualCF/PSF—ThinningacreagewasslightlybelowAAH,finalanduneven-agedharvestacreage(clearcuts,variableretention,seedtree,shelterwood)waswellbelowourAAH,asconfirmedinrecords(seeTimberSaleSummaryforallStateForests).EachStateForestmaintainsanannualworkplansummarytocompareactualacresharvestedversusprojected(e.g.,http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/download/awp_summary.pdf).HarvestlevelsonanareacontrolbasisremainwellbelowwhatisallowedpertheWoodstockmodel.EachStateForestalsopreparesquarterlyharvestreports,whichwerereviewedduringtheaudit.
ReferalsotoTimberSale
SummaryFY2016.pdf Harvestrecordsforlump-sum,stumpage,andgatewoodsaleswerereviewedatParkerForestryServices.
5.6.cRatesandmethodsoftimberharvestleadtoachievingdesiredconditions,andimproveormaintainhealthandqualityacrosstheFMU.Overstockedstandsandstandsthathavebeendepletedorrenderedtobebelowproductivepotentialduetonaturalevents,pastmanagement,orlackofmanagement,arereturnedtodesiredstockinglevelsandcompositionattheearliestpracticabletimeasjustifiedinmanagementobjectives.
C AWPscoutingdonebytheForestManagerandForester.Notesonfuturemanagementactivities,suchassilviculturaltreatmentsorTSI,areincorporatedintotheforestGIS.
5.6.dForNTFPs,calculationofquantitativesustainedyieldharvestlevelsisrequiredonlyincaseswhereproductsareharvestedinsignificantcommercialoperationsorwheretraditionalorcustomaryuserightsmaybeimpactedbysuchharvests.Inothersituations,theforestownerormanagerutilizesavailableinformation,andnewinformationthatcanbereasonablygathered,tosetharvestinglevelsthatwillnotresultinadepletionofthenon-timbergrowingstocksorother
NA ThereisnosignificantharvestofNTFPsontheFMU,asconfirmedinfieldvisitsandinterviewswithFMEstaff.HuntleasesareusedonlyontheChesapeakeStateForest.Themeatacquiredisnotcommerciallysoldandisnotcommerciallysignificant.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page47of75
adverseeffectstotheforestecosystem.Principle#6:Forestmanagementshallconservebiologicaldiversityanditsassociatedvalues,waterresources,soils,anduniqueandfragileecosystemsandlandscapes,and,bysodoing,maintaintheecologicalfunctionsandtheintegrityoftheforest.6.1.Assessmentsofenvironmentalimpactsshallbecompleted--appropriatetothescale,intensityofforestmanagementandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources--andadequatelyintegratedintomanagementsystems.Assessmentsshallincludelandscapelevelconsiderationsaswellastheimpactsofon-siteprocessingfacilities.Environmentalimpactsshallbeassessedpriortocommencementofsite-disturbingoperations.
C
6.1.aUsingtheresultsofcrediblescientificanalysis,bestavailableinformation(includingrelevantdatabases),andlocalknowledgeandexperience,anassessmentofconditionsontheFMUiscompletedandincludes:1)Forestcommunitytypesanddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andassociatednaturaldisturbanceregimes;2)Rare,ThreatenedandEndangered(RTE)speciesandrareecologicalcommunities(includingplantcommunities);3)Otherhabitatsandspeciesofmanagementconcern;4)Waterresourcesandassociatedriparianhabitatsandhydrologicfunctions;5)Soilresources;and6)HistoricconditionsontheFMUrelatedtoforestcommunitytypesanddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andabroadcomparisonofhistoricandcurrentconditions.
C ThesesubjectareasareaddressedintheSFMPsandAWPsforeachstateforestorregion.Specifically,eachSFMPdiscussescurrentstandconditionsanddisturbanceregimesthathaveledtocurrentconditions.RTEspeciesandcommunitiesarealsoaddressed;however,FMEalsousesrecoveryplans.SpecialhabitatsdiscussedinSFMPsincluderipariancorridors.WaterandsoilresourcesarediscussedindetailinSFMPs.AnoverviewoflandusehistorythathasshapedthelandscapesoftheEasternandWesternRegionsisincludedineachSFMP.
6.1.bPriortocommencingsite-disturbingactivities,theforestownerormanagerassessesanddocumentsthepotentialshortandlong-termimpactsofplannedmanagementactivitiesonelements1-5listedinCriterion6.1.a.Theassessmentmustincorporatethebestavailableinformation,drawingfromscientificliteratureandexperts.Theimpactassessmentwillatminimumincludeidentifyingresourcesthatmaybeimpactedbymanagement(e.g.,streams,habitatsofmanagementconcern,soilnutrients).Additionaldetail(i.e.,detaileddescriptionorquantificationofimpacts)willvarydependingontheuniquenessoftheresource,potentialrisks,andstepsthatwillbetakentoavoidandminimizerisks.
C TheAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)andtheassociatedCitizenAdvisoryCommittee(CAC)reviewsserveasadocumentassessmentofresourcesidentifiedin6.1.aandhowthesecouldbeaffected.Inaddition,theAWPsaresubjecttopublicreviewduringwhichanycitizencanmakecommentsonhowplannedactivitiesmayaffectresourcesof6.1.a.FME’sassessmentsdrawfromexpertsontheCACs,scientificliterature,andassessmentmethodscarriedoutbyqualified/trainedFMEstaff.IntheEasternRegion,ParkerForestryServicesusestheAWPstocompletepre-harvest
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page48of75
assessmentstoensurethatimpactstosensitiveresourcesidentifiedintheAWPsarepreventedormitigated.
6.1.cUsingthefindingsoftheimpactassessment(Indicator6.1.b),managementapproachesandfieldprescriptionsaredevelopedandimplementedthat:1)avoidorminimizenegativeshort-termandlong-termimpacts;and,2)maintainand/orenhancethelong-termecologicalviabilityoftheforest.
C TheAWPsincludedescriptionsofprescriptionsandmeasurestoavoidorminimizenegativeimpacts.Certainprescriptions,suchasroadandtrailmaintenance,areintendedtoensurethatdamagedBMPsarerepairedsothatimpactstosoilandwaterresourcesaremitigated.Harvestprescriptionsarebasedonthereproductiveecologyofthetreespeciesonsiteandnaturaldisturbanceregimes.
6.1.dOnpubliclands,assessmentsdevelopedinIndicator6.1.aandmanagementapproachesdevelopedinIndicator6.1.caremadeavailabletothepublicindraftformforreviewandcommentpriortofinalization.Finalassessmentsarealsomadeavailable.
C SFMPsandAWPsaresubjecttopublicreviewindraftformpriortofinalizationasdescribedin4.4.d.Pre-harvestinspectionformsfromParkerForestryServicesmaybeprovideduponrequestwithsensitiveandconfidentialinformationremoved.
6.2Safeguardsshallexistwhichprotectrare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesandtheirhabitats(e.g.,nestingandfeedingareas).Conservationzonesandprotectionareasshallbeestablished,appropriatetothescaleandintensityofforestmanagementandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources.Inappropriatehunting,fishing,trapping,andcollectingshallbecontrolled.
C
6.2.aIfthereisalikelypresenceofRTEspeciesasidentifiedinIndicator6.1.atheneitherafieldsurveytoverifythespecies'presenceorabsenceisconductedpriortosite-disturbingmanagementactivities,ormanagementoccurswiththeassumptionthatpotentialRTEspeciesarepresent.Surveysareconductedbybiologistswiththeappropriateexpertiseinthespeciesofinterestandwithappropriatequalificationstoconductthesurveys.Ifaspeciesisdeterminedtobepresent,itslocationshouldbereportedtothemanageroftheappropriatedatabase.
C ThefollowingwasreportedbyDNRNaturalHeritageProgram:• GRSF—9dayssurveyingforrareplants;
SearchedforStatelistedplantsandhighqualityorrarenaturalcommunities(perourSWAPplan),26dayssurveyingforrareanimals;Searchedforwoodturtles,rattlesnakes,Appalachiancottontails,andeasternspottedskunks.
• PGSF—2dayssurveyingforrareplants;SearchedforhighqualityorrarenaturalcommunitiesasidentifiedinourStateWildlifeActionPlan(SWAP),andpurple-fringedandpurple-fringelessorchids,13dayssurveyingforrareanimals;Searchedforrattlesnakes,greensalamanders,andgoshawks.CF/PSF—Nonewareashavebeenestablished.
• SRSF—31dayssurveyingforrareanimals;
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page49of75
SearchedforWehrle'ssalamander,Appalachiancottontails,easternspottedskunk,WestVirginiaWhites(butterfly),andgoshawks.
• CF/PSF—CF:14dayssurveyingforrareplants;SearchedforStatelistedspeciesandhighqualityorrarenaturalcommunities(perourSWAPplan).
• PSF:5dayssurveyingforrareplants;SearchedforStatelistedspeciesandhighqualityorrarenaturalcommunities(perourSWAPplan),4dayssurveyingforrareanimals;Searchedforfrostedelfins.
6.2.bWhenRTEspeciesarepresentorassumedtobepresent,modificationsinmanagementaremadeinordertomaintain,restoreorenhancetheextent,qualityandviabilityofthespeciesandtheirhabitats.Conservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareestablishedforRTEspecies,includingthoseS3speciesthatareconsideredrare,wheretheyarenecessarytomaintainorimprovetheshortandlong-termviabilityofthespecies.Conservationmeasuresarebasedonrelevantscience,guidelinesand/orconsultationwithrelevant,independentexpertsasnecessarytoachievetheconservationgoaloftheIndicator.
C FMEreportedthefollowingactivitieshearRTEspecieshabitatzones:• GRSF—NONE• SRSF—SeecopiesofSavageRiverState
ForestAnnualWorkPlanandallmanagementrecommendations;allEcologicallySensitiveAreasaswellasHighConservationValueForestacresarehighlightedwithineachproposalmap.
• PGSF—SeePGSFFY-17AWPforIX.WildlifeMngt.Proposalsfor2projectsdonespecificallyforRT&Econservation.Compartment25,Stand14–ESAMngt./thinningtoretainhabitat.Compartment40,Stand1–(HCVFThinningtoRetainHabitat.)
• CF/PSF—Commercialharvestingandprescribedburning.Activitiesareguidedbybotharestorationplanandpolicies.
RefertoindividualAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)andthemanagementrecommendationsforeachstateforest;allconservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareshownoneachprojectmap.ForestharvestshaveoccurredinareasthatarepotentialhabitatsforRTEspecies.Allharvestsmustgothroughtheannualworkplanprocess.HeritageassiststheFMEduringplanningand
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page50of75
implementationtoensurethatthegoalsthattheyhavefortargetspeciesaremet.EachyearFMEincludesalocationreportingformandinformationfactsheetalongwithitsstandardhuntingharvestreportformstoeachofthelocalhuntclubsregardingDelmarvaFoxSquirrelontheMarylandshort.AnyformsthatFMEreceivesbackaresenttoUSFish&Wildlife,DNRWildlife&Heritage,andkeptonfileatFMEoffices.
6.2.cFormediumandlargepublicforests(e.g.stateforests),forestmanagementplansandoperationsaredesignedtomeetspecies’recoverygoals,aswellaslandscapelevelbiodiversityconservationgoals.
C TherequirementsofthissectionofthestandardareprimarilyaccomplishedthroughtheIDteamprocess,whichincludesreviewsofallplansbyheritage,wildlife,fisheries,andforestrystaff.HarvestoperationsandrestorationprojectsarereviewedbyHeritagemembersoftheIDteam.RestorationprojectsforspecificsitesarelistedwithineachAnnualWorkPlan.
6.2.dWithinthecapacityoftheforestownerormanager,hunting,fishing,trapping,collectingandotheractivitiesarecontrolledtoavoidtheriskofimpactstovulnerablespeciesandcommunities(SeeCriterion1.5).
C FMEstaffreportedthattherehavebeennocasesofharvestortakeofRTEspeciesorsignificantdamagetovulnerablespeciesandcommunitiesontheFMU.RefertoAWPsandthemanagementrecommendationsasallESAsareshownperprojectmaps.Seealsoinformationpresentedin6.2.bonhuntingofgamespecies(e.g.,deer)withinDelmarvaFoxSquirrelhabitat.
6.3.Ecologicalfunctionsandvaluesshallbemaintainedintact,enhanced,orrestored,including:a)Forestregenerationandsuccession.b)Genetic,species,andecosystemdiversity.c)Naturalcyclesthataffecttheproductivityoftheforestecosystem.
C
6.3.a.1Theforestownerormanagermaintains,enhances,and/orrestoresunder-representedsuccessionalstagesintheFMUthatwouldnaturallyoccuronthetypesofsitesfoundontheFMU.Whereoldgrowthofdifferentcommunitytypesthatwouldnaturallyoccurontheforestareunder-representedinthelandscaperelativetonaturalconditions,aportionoftheforestismanagedtoenhanceand/orrestoreoldgrowthcharacteristics.
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Earlysuccessionstagesaremost
under-representedonthisstateforest,soregenerationharvestsdothemosttomaintainyoungforests.
• SRSF—Theseedling/saplingsuccessionstageofourhardwoodforestscouldbeconsideredunderrepresented.Assuch,managementworkplannedwithinthe
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page51of75
AnnualWorkPlansisgenerallyfocusedonregenerationofhardwoodforestsandenhancingthisstageofforestgrowth.Earlysuccessionalhabitatincludinggrassandshrubdominatedacreageisalsounderrepresentedacrosstheforestlandscape.CooperativeeffortswiththeWildlifeDivisionofDNRwillmaintainover150acresofrecentlandacquisitionsinthishabitat.Furtheracquisitionscomposedofthishabitattypeareinreviewandmaypotentiallybroadentheoccurrenceofthishabitatnicheontheforest.
• PGSF—SeePGSFFY-17AWPforVII.WatershedProtectionComp19LostlandRunHWAMitigation/RedSprucePlantingsmall(1acre.annual)NativeRedSpruceplanting.LongstandingHemlockProtectionProgramwithMDA;involvingIPAapproachtohemlockprotection/preservationinimportantstands.
• CF/PSF-PrescribedfirehasbeenusedtomaintainopenandearlysuccessionalareasontheFMU(i.e.Brookviewponds,PowellRdESA,Furnacelupinesite,etc.)
6.3.a.2Whenarareecologicalcommunityispresent,modificationsaremadeinboththemanagementplananditsimplementationinordertomaintain,restoreorenhancetheviabilityofthecommunity.Basedonthevulnerabilityoftheexistingcommunity,conservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareestablishedwherewarranted.
C FMEdemonstratesexceptionaleffortstoidentifyrareecologicalcommunitiesforprotection,managementand/orrestoration.Duringharvestsvisitedin2017,ESAsandotherprotectedareaswerenotedonmapswhenadjacentorwithintimbersaleboundaries.Criticalhabitatshavebeenmappedforstatelistedoruncommonspecies,shalebarrenscommunities,oldgrowthandpotentialoldgrowth,vernalpoolsanduniqueopenhabitatsinstateforestmanagementplans.Inmostcases,theseareasarenotenteredwithequipment.Perinterviewswithstaff,forearlysuccessionalhabitatthatisnotwell-representedonthe
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page52of75
landscape,FMEisattemptingtocoordinatemoreopportunitiestocombinetimbersaleandprescribedfirelayouttoreducecosts.
6.3.a.3Whentheyarepresent,managementmaintainsthearea,structure,composition,andprocessesofallType1andType2oldgrowth.Type1and2oldgrowtharealsoprotectedandbufferedasnecessarywithconservationzones,unlessanalternativeplanisdevelopedthatprovidesgreateroverallprotectionofoldgrowthvalues.Type1OldGrowthisprotectedfromharvestingandroadconstruction.Type1oldgrowthisalsoprotectedfromothertimbermanagementactivities,exceptasneededtomaintaintheecologicalvaluesassociatedwiththestand,includingoldgrowthattributes(e.g.,removeexoticspecies,conductcontrolledburning,andthinningfrombelowindryforesttypeswhenandwhererestorationisappropriate).Type2OldGrowthisprotectedfromharvestingtotheextentnecessarytomaintainthearea,structures,andfunctionsofthestand.TimberharvestinType2oldgrowthmustmaintainoldgrowthstructures,functions,andcomponentsincludingindividualtreesthatfunctionasrefugia(seeIndicator6.3.g).Onpubliclands,oldgrowthisprotectedfromharvesting,aswellasfromothertimbermanagementactivities,exceptifneededtomaintainthevaluesassociatedwiththestand(e.g.,removeexoticspecies,conductcontrolledburning,andthinningfrombelowinforesttypeswhenandwhererestorationisappropriate).
OnAmericanIndianlands,timberharvestmaybepermittedinType1andType2oldgrowthinrecognitionoftheirsovereigntyanduniqueownership.Timberharvestispermittedinsituationswhere:1. Oldgrowthforestscompriseasignificantportionofthe
tribalownership.2. Ahistoryofforeststewardshipbythetribeexists.3. HighConservationValueForestattributesaremaintained.4. Old-growthstructuresaremaintained.5. Conservationzonesrepresentativeofoldgrowthstandsare
established.
C FMEstaffreportedthattherehavebeennoharvestsorotheractivitiesthathavesignificantlyaffectedoldgrowthstands.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page53of75
6. Landscapelevelconsiderationsareaddressed.7. Rarespeciesareprotected.6.3.bTotheextentfeasiblewithinthesizeoftheownership,particularlyonlargerownerships(generallytensofthousandsormoreacres),managementmaintains,enhances,orrestoreshabitatconditionssuitableforwell-distributedpopulationsofanimalspeciesthatarecharacteristicofforestecosystemswithinthelandscape.
C FMEstaffreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Managementactivitieswere
completedintheKasecampBottoms,Anthony’sRidge,TownCreekandKirkOrchardSWHAincludingseasonalmowing,fieldbordercutbacks,riparianshrubplantings,brushpileconstruction,andinvasivespeciessuppressiontoenhanceearlysuccessionwildlifehabitatstructure.
• SRSF—Allplannedandcompletedtimberharvestsincludewildlifehabitatimprovementelementsbycreatinganincreaseinearlysuccessionhabitatcriticaltoavarietyofspeciesinneedofconservationincludinggolden-wingedwarblers,Americanwoodcock,etc.
• PGSF—SeePGSFFY17-AWPIX.WildlifeMngt.Proposals:
• Comp25-14ismanagementinanESAforaStateEndangeredSpecies(bird).
• Comp40-1alsomanagementinanESAinvolvinghabitatimprovementforstateThreatened&EndangeredSpecies(reptiles).
• Routinepermanentgrassyopeningmngt.ofvarioussmallclearings/foodplotstobenefitawidevarietyofbothgameandnon-gamespecies.
• CF/PSF—nonereported6.3.cManagementmaintains,enhancesand/orrestorestheplantandwildlifehabitatofRiparianManagementZones(RMZs)toprovide:a) habitatforaquaticspeciesthatbreedinsurrounding
uplands;b) habitatforpredominantlyterrestrialspeciesthatbreedin
adjacentaquatichabitats;c) habitatforspeciesthatuseriparianareasforfeeding,
cover,andtravel;d) habitatforplantspeciesassociatedwithriparianareas;
and,
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—29acresofriparianareawere
convertedfromabandonedagriculturefieldandplanted30,000treesandshrubstoestablishriparianbuffersandhabitatalongTownCreek.
• SRSF—AnnualWorkPlanmapsreferencenocutbuffersonbluelinestreamsandwetlandsaswellasMaryland’sBestManagementPracticesthatareimplementedonallsilviculturalactivitiestoensurethe
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page54of75
e) streamshadingandinputsofwoodandleaflitterintotheadjacentaquaticecosystem.
preservationofwaterqualityinadjacentwaterways.
• PGSF—1)NumerousjurisdictionalstreamculvertsassociatedwiththeLostLandRunRoadRestorationProject(asreviewedinlastyear’saudit).
• 2)Variousjurisdictionalstreamculvertsreplaced“in-house”:2OnCCCCampRoad,1inKindnessDemonstrationForest/HuttonArea,and1aboveLaurelRunArea/JennyDoveaccess.
• 3)Temp.bridgeassociatedwithharvestinPG-2016-S-01NorthHill-Comp14-12.
• CF/PSF—Multiplethinningsenteredour300’streambuffertoreducepinestocking,andafinalharvestwasadjacenttoastreambuffer.
Stand-scaleIndicators6.3.dManagementpracticesmaintainorenhanceplantspeciescomposition,distributionandfrequencyofoccurrencesimilartothosethatwouldnaturallyoccuronthesite.
C Asconfirmedinfieldsitevisits,allharvestsintheEasternRegionincluderetentionofoakandlargerdiameterlegacypinetrees.Someharvestsincludepineseedtreesofspeciesthatoccurnaturalonthesite,especiallyinthecaseofpond,pitch,andshort-leafpines.Otherhardwoods,suchasmaples,poplars,andgums,aremostlyretainedinno-harvestzonesandSMZs,aswellaswithinproductionareasduringthinnings.BaldcypresswasobservedinSMZs,whicharetypicalsitesforthisspecies.
6.3.eWhenplantingisrequired,alocalsourceofknownprovenanceisusedwhenavailableandwhenthelocalsourceisequivalentintermsofquality,priceandproductivity.Theuseofnon-localsourcesshallbejustified,suchasinsituationswhereothermanagementobjectives(e.g.diseaseresistanceoradaptingtoclimatechange)arebestservedbynon-localsources.Nativespeciessuitedtothesitearenormallyselectedforregeneration.
C SeedmixesaredeterminedbyMDDepartmentofWildlifeandaddressedintimberharvestcontracts(AttachmentE;mediumredclover,ladinoclover,orchardgrass,perennialryegrass,andtimothygrass).FMEreportedthefollowing:TheonlyartificialregenerationworkdoneonPGSFwasthesmall<1ac.RedSprucerestorationplantingdoneinLostLandRun;seedlingstockfromlocalAppalachian/AlleghanyPlateauseedsources.SeedlingsusedonplantedsitesweresourcedfromtheMarylandstatetreenursery,
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page55of75
whichtrackstheoriginsofgeneticmaterial.6.3.fManagementmaintains,enhances,orrestoreshabitatcomponentsandassociatedstandstructures,inabundanceanddistributionthatcouldbeexpectedfromnaturallyoccurringprocesses.Thesecomponentsinclude:a) largelivetrees,livetreeswithdecayordeclininghealth,
snags,andwell-distributedcoarsedownanddeadwoodymaterial.Legacytreeswherepresentarenotharvested;and
b) verticalandhorizontalcomplexity.Treesselectedforretentionaregenerallyrepresentativeofthedominantspeciesfoundonthesite.
C Asconfirmedinfieldsitevisits,allharvestsintheEasternRegionincluderetentionofoakandlargerdiameterlegacypinetrees.Someharvestsincludepineseedtreesofspeciesthatoccurnaturalonthesite,especiallyinthecaseofpond,pitch,andshort-leafpines.Otherhardwoods,suchasmaplesandgums,aremostlyretainedinno-harvestzonesandSMZs.Snagswereobservedonseveralharvestswithharvestareasandinno-harvestzones.Woodymaterialisretainedforuseonskidtrailstocontrolerosionandcompactionanddistributedoverharvestsites.Alltreespeciesselectedforretentionareofdominantspeciesofthesite.
6.3.g.1IntheSoutheast,Appalachia,Ozark-Ouachita,MississippiAlluvialValley,andPacificCoastRegions,wheneven-agedsystemsareemployed,andduringsalvageharvests,livetreesandothernativevegetationareretainedwithintheharvestunitasdescribedinAppendixCfortheapplicableregion.IntheLakeStatesNortheast,RockyMountainandSouthwestRegions,wheneven-agedsilviculturalsystemsareemployed,andduringsalvageharvests,livetreesandothernativevegetationareretainedwithintheharvestunitinaproportionandconfigurationthatisconsistentwiththecharacteristicnaturaldisturbanceregimeunlessretentionatalowerlevelisnecessaryforthepurposesofrestorationorrehabilitation.SeeAppendixCforadditionalregionalrequirementsandguidance.
C FMEreportedthefollowingeven-agedharvests:• GRSF-Alleven-agedregenerationharvests
carriedoutthisyearwerecompletedunderprinciplesofvariableretention.
• SRSF—Approximately105.2acresofevenagedharvestswerecompletedon130.2managementunitacres.97.2acresofmaturehardwoodwereregeneratedonfourstandsof35,17,32.4and12.8acres.Theremainingevenagedmanagementoccurredon8acresofthe1stfirstcutofatwo-ageshelterwoodsystem.Retentionobjectivesweremetforeachharvestwithmorethan5%oftheoriginalstandbeingretained.BuffersimplementedalongStreamsidemanagementzones,utilities,andHCVFensuredthatretentiontargetswouldbemetineachsilviculturaloperation.RefertotheFY-17AnnualWorkPlanaswellasthefinaltimberharvestcontractsforbuffer/exclusiondelineations.
• PGSF—1)SeePGSFFY17-AWPPG-2017-S-09HuttonComp43-7=small6ac.clearcutwithvariableretention,harvestwasunderourrequiredac.forretention,but5%retentionwasmadeperourstandard.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page56of75
• 2)SeePGSFFY17-AWPPG-2017-S-10HuttonComp43-7=small(4ac.)failingpine,salvageclear-cut,noretentionrequired,noranyretained.
• CF/PSF—Twositeswerestartedwithinthepastyear.Neitherhasnotbeencompletedtodate,duetoweatherissues.
6.3.g.2Underverylimitedsituations,thelandownerormanagerhastheoptiontodevelopaqualifiedplantoallowminordeparturefromtheopeningsizelimitsdescribedinIndicator6.3.g.1.Aqualifiedplan:1.Isdevelopedbyqualifiedexpertsinecologicaland/or
relatedfields(wildlifebiology,hydrology,landscapeecology,forestry/silviculture).
2.Isbasedonthetotalityofthebestavailableinformationincludingpeer-reviewedscienceregardingnaturaldisturbanceregimesfortheFMU.
3.Isspatiallyandtemporallyexplicitandincludesmapsofproposedopeningsorareas.
4.Demonstratesthatthevariationswillresultinequalorgreaterbenefittowildlife,waterquality,andothervaluescomparedtothenormalopeningsizelimits,includingforsensitiveandrarespecies.
5.Isreviewedbyindependentexpertsinwildlifebiology,hydrology,andlandscapeecology,toconfirmtheprecedingfindings.
NA Noexemptionstoeven-agedmanagementrestrictionsassociatedwithindicator6.3.g.1anditsapplicableregionalsub-indicatorsweredetectedduringfieldvisitsorreviewofmanagementplanningdocumentation.
6.3.hTheforestownerormanagerassessestheriskof,prioritizes,and,aswarranted,developsandimplementsastrategytopreventorcontrolinvasivespecies,including:1. amethodtodeterminetheextentofinvasivespeciesand
thedegreeofthreattonativespeciesandecosystems;2. implementationofmanagementpracticesthatminimize
theriskofinvasiveestablishment,growth,andspread;3. eradicationorcontrolofestablishedinvasivepopulations
whenfeasible:and,4. monitoringofcontrolmeasuresandmanagementpractices
toassesstheireffectivenessinpreventingorcontrollinginvasivespecies.
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Ailanthuswastreatedinstandsprior
toharvesttreatmentsinstandsthatitwasknowntoexistandailanthuswastreatedinspecialwildlifehabitatareas.Furthermore,mowingoccurredinoldfieldareaswhereinvasiveshrubsexisttopreventestablishmentoftheseshrubssuchasbushhoneysuckle,autumnoliveandmulti-florarose.
• SRSF—treatedandismonitoringseveralplantcoloniesorsitesincluding:9JapaneseKnotweedsites,3TreeofHeavensites,2Mile-A-Minutesitesand1YellowArchangelsite.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page57of75
• PGSF—SeePGSFFY17-AWPVIIIEcosystemRestoration/ProtectionProjects;notecontrolnecessaryon3NNISspottreatments,(ref.herbicideapplicationrecord.)
• CF/PSF—Mappingupdatesofknownandnewinvasivelocations,herbicideapplicationsonhighrecreationuseareastoslowthespreadofinvasivevegetation.
6.3.iInapplicablesituations,theforestownerormanageridentifiesandappliessite-specificfuelsmanagementpractices,basedon:(1)naturalfireregimes,(2)riskofwildfire,(3)potentialeconomiclosses,(4)publicsafety,and(5)applicablelawsandregulations.
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Noprescribedfireinpastyear.One
wildfireburnedapproximately2acresintheKirkOrchardarea.Nonaturalfiresoccurred.
• SRSF—Onewildfire(arson)totaling8.5acresinCompartment58.
• PGSF—None• CF/PSF—Multipleprescribedburnshave
beencompletedonvarioussites.ThemajoritieswereinornearESAZone1areas.
6.4.Representativesamplesofexistingecosystemswithinthelandscapeshallbeprotectedintheirnaturalstateandrecordedonmaps,appropriatetothescaleandintensityofoperationsandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources.
NE
6.5Writtenguidelinesshallbepreparedandimplementedtocontrolerosion;minimizeforestdamageduringharvesting,roadconstruction,andallothermechanicaldisturbances;andtoprotectwaterresources.
NE
6.6.Managementsystemsshallpromotethedevelopmentandadoptionofenvironmentallyfriendlynon-chemicalmethodsofpestmanagementandstrivetoavoidtheuseofchemicalpesticides.WorldHealthOrganizationType1Aand1Bandchlorinatedhydrocarbonpesticides;pesticidesthatarepersistent,toxicorwhosederivativesremainbiologicallyactiveandaccumulateinthefoodchainbeyondtheirintendeduse;aswellasanypesticidesbannedbyinternationalagreement,shallbeprohibited.Ifchemicalsareused,properequipmentandtrainingshallbeprovidedtominimizehealthandenvironmentalrisks.
NE
6.7.Chemicals,containers,liquidandsolidnon-organicwastesincludingfuelandoilshallbedisposedofinanenvironmentallyappropriatemanneratoff-sitelocations.
NE
6.8.Useofbiologicalcontrolagentsshallbedocumented, NE
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page58of75
minimized,monitored,andstrictlycontrolledinaccordancewithnationallawsandinternationallyacceptedscientificprotocols.Useofgeneticallymodifiedorganismsshallbeprohibited.6.9.Theuseofexoticspeciesshallbecarefullycontrolledandactivelymonitoredtoavoidadverseecologicalimpacts.
NA
6.9.aTheuseofexoticspeciesiscontingentontheavailabilityofcrediblescientificdataindicatingthatanysuchspeciesisnon-invasiveanditsapplicationdoesnotposearisktonativebiodiversity.
NA FMEreportedthatnoexoticspecieshavebeenusedforcommercialormanagementpurposessincethelastaudit,whichtheauditorconfirmedinfieldobservation.NoneareusedintheEasternRegion.RefertoOBS2016.1and2016.3foruseofNorwayspruce(Piceaabies)intheWesternRegion.
6.9.bIfexoticspeciesareused,theirprovenanceandthelocationoftheirusearedocumented,andtheirecologicaleffectsareactivelymonitored.
NA See6.9.a.
6.9.cTheforestownerormanagershalltaketimelyactiontocurtailorsignificantlyreduceanyadverseimpactsresultingfromtheiruseofexoticspecies
NA See6.9.a.
6.10.Forestconversiontoplantationsornon-forestlandusesshallnotoccur,exceptincircumstanceswhereconversion:a)Entailsaverylimitedportionoftheforestmanagementunit;andb)DoesnotoccuronHighConservationValueForestareas;andc)Willenableclear,substantial,additional,secure,long-termconservationbenefitsacrosstheforestmanagementunit.
NE
Principle#7:Amanagementplan--appropriatetothescaleandintensityoftheoperations--shallbewritten,implemented,andkeptuptodate.Thelong-termobjectivesofmanagement,andthemeansofachievingthem,shallbeclearlystated.7.1.Themanagementplanandsupportingdocumentsshallprovide:a. Managementobjectives.b)descriptionoftheforest
resourcestobemanaged,environmentallimitations,landuseandownershipstatus,socio-economicconditions,andaprofileofadjacentlands.
b. Descriptionofsilviculturaland/orothermanagementsystem,basedontheecologyoftheforestinquestionandinformationgatheredthroughresourceinventories.d)Rationaleforrateofannualharvestandspeciesselection.
NE
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page59of75
e)Provisionsformonitoringofforestgrowthanddynamics.f)Environmentalsafeguardsbasedonenvironmentalassessments.g)Plansfortheidentificationandprotectionofrare,threatenedandendangeredspecies.
b) h)Mapsdescribingtheforestresourcebaseincludingprotectedareas,plannedmanagementactivitiesandlandownership.i)Descriptionandjustificationofharvestingtechniquesandequipmenttobeused.
7.1.aThemanagementplanidentifiestheownershipandlegalstatusoftheFMUanditsresources,includingrightsheldbytheownerandrightsheldbyothers.
NE
7.1.bThemanagementplandescribesthehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).
C RefertoOBS2017.1.
7.1.cThemanagementplandescribes:a)currentconditionsofthetimberandnon-timberforestresourcesbeingmanaged;b)desiredfutureconditions;c)historicalecologicalconditions;andd)applicablemanagementobjectivesandactivitiestomovetheFMUtowarddesiredfutureconditions.
C RefertoOBS2017.1.
7.1.dThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofthelandscapewithinwhichtheFMUislocatedanddescribeshowlandscape-scalehabitatelementsdescribedinCriterion6.3willbeaddressed.
C RefertoOBS2017.1.
7.1.eThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlinesactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandnatural
communities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityandwildlifehabitats
(seeCriterion6.3);• waterresources(seeCriterion6.5);• soilresources(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.
NC RefertoCAR2017.2.
7.1.fIfinvasivespeciesarepresent,themanagementplandescribesinvasivespeciesconditions,applicablemanagement
NE
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page60of75
objectives,andhowtheywillbecontrolled(seeIndicator6.3.j).7.1.gThemanagementplandescribesinsectsanddiseases,currentoranticipatedoutbreaksonforestconditionsandmanagementgoals,andhowinsectsanddiseaseswillbemanaged(seeCriteria6.6and6.8).
NE
7.1.hIfchemicalsareused,theplandescribeswhatisbeingused,applications,andhowthemanagementsystemconformswithCriterion6.6.
NE
7.1.iIfbiologicalcontrolsareused,themanagementplandescribeswhatisbeingused,applications,andhowthemanagementsystemconformswithCriterion6.8.
NE
7.1.jThemanagementplanincorporatestheresultsoftheevaluationofsocialimpacts,including:• traditionalculturalresourcesandrightsofuse(see
Criterion2.1);• potentialconflictswithcustomaryusesanduserights(see
Criteria2.2,2.3,3.2);• managementofceremonial,archeological,andhistoric
sites(seeCriteria3.3and4.5);• managementofaestheticvalues(seeIndicator4.4.a);• publicaccesstoanduseoftheforest,andotherrecreation
issues;• localandregionalsocioeconomicconditionsandeconomic
opportunities,includingcreationand/ormaintenanceofqualityjobs(seeIndicators4.1.band4.4.a),localpurchasingopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.e),andparticipationinlocaldevelopmentopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.g).
NE
7.1.kThemanagementplandescribesthegeneralpurpose,conditionandmaintenanceneedsofthetransportationnetwork(seeIndicator6.5.e).
NE
7.1.lThemanagementplandescribesthesilviculturalandothermanagementsystemsusedandhowtheywillsustain,overthelongterm,forestecosystemspresentontheFMU.
NE
7.1.mThemanagementplandescribeshowspeciesselectionandharvestratecalculationsweredevelopedtomeettherequirementsofCriterion5.6.
NE
7.1.nThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofmonitoringproceduresnecessarytoaddresstherequirementsofCriterion8.2.
NE
7.1.oThemanagementplanincludesmapsdescribingthe NE
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page61of75
resourcebase,thecharacteristicsofgeneralmanagementzones,specialmanagementareas,andprotectedareasatalevelofdetailtoachievemanagementobjectivesandprotectsensitivesites.7.1.pThemanagementplandescribesandjustifiesthetypesandsizesofharvestingmachineryandtechniquesemployedontheFMUtominimizeorlimitimpactstotheresource.
NE
7.1.qPlansforharvestingandothersignificantsite-disturbingmanagementactivitiesrequiredtocarryoutthemanagementplanarepreparedpriortoimplementation.Plansclearlydescribetheactivity,therelationshiptoobjectives,outcomes,anynecessaryenvironmentalsafeguards,healthandsafetymeasures,andincludemapsofadequatedetail.
NE
7.1.rThemanagementplandescribesthestakeholderconsultationprocess.
NE
7.2Themanagementplanshallbeperiodicallyrevisedtoincorporatetheresultsofmonitoringornewscientificandtechnicalinformation,aswellastorespondtochangingenvironmental,socialandeconomiccircumstances.
NE
7.3Forestworkersshallreceiveadequatetrainingandsupervisiontoensureproperimplementationofthemanagementplans.
NE
7.4Whilerespectingtheconfidentialityofinformation,forestmanagersshallmakepubliclyavailableasummaryoftheprimaryelementsofthemanagementplan,includingthoselistedinCriterion7.1.
NE
Principle#8:Monitoringshallbeconducted--appropriatetothescaleandintensityofforestmanagement--toassesstheconditionoftheforest,yieldsofforestproducts,chainofcustody,managementactivitiesandtheirsocialandenvironmentalimpacts.8.1Thefrequencyandintensityofmonitoringshouldbedeterminedbythescaleandintensityofforestmanagementoperations,aswellas,therelativecomplexityandfragilityoftheaffectedenvironment.Monitoringproceduresshouldbeconsistentandreplicableovertimetoallowcomparisonofresultsandassessmentofchange.
C
8.1.aConsistentwiththescaleandintensityofmanagement,theforestownerormanagerdevelopsandconsistentlyimplementsaregular,comprehensive,andreplicablewrittenmonitoringprotocol.
C AllmonitoringoccursperestablishedinSFMPsandAWPs,andasperFME’sproceduresandpolicies.Certainmonitoringisrequiredbelegislation,suchasforaccountingpurposes.FMEalsodemonstratedBMPmanuals,someofwhichincluderecommendedmonitoringpractices.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page62of75
Certainsystems,includingsoftwareandsilviculturalsystems,haveassociatedmanualsandguidelinesthatincludemonitoringprotocols.Forexample,intheWesternRegiontheSILVAHsystemisusedtomonitoroakregenerationandgrowth.
8.2.Forestmanagementshouldincludetheresearchanddatacollectionneededtomonitor,ataminimum,thefollowingindicators:a)yieldofallforestproductsharvested,b)growthrates,regeneration,andconditionoftheforest,c)compositionandobservedchangesinthefloraandfauna,d)environmentalandsocialimpactsofharvestingandotheroperations,ande)cost,productivity,andefficiencyofforestmanagement.
C
8.2.a.1Forallcommerciallyharvestedproducts,aninventorysystemismaintained.Theinventorysystemincludesataminimum:a)species,b)volumes,c)stocking,d)regeneration,ande)standandforestcompositionandstructure;andf)timberquality.
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Allareasthatreceivedafinalharvest
inthelast2-5yearswereinventoriedinthelastyeartomonitorandevaluateregeneration.Furthermore,allstandsproposedforregenerationharvestswereinventoriedtoevaluatepotentialforregenerationandguideprescriptionforregenerationharvestmethods.
• SRSF—Inventoryhasbeencompletedwithintheharvestableareasofthestateforest.RegenerationdatawasgatheredforallFY-18proposals.
• PGSF—Forest–wideinventorycompleted2yearsago.Regenerationmonitoringplanscallfor5yr.(growingseasons)resurveyafterharvestcompletion.1stharvestssincecompletedsinceinventoried,arecomingduethissummer.
• CF/PSF—OurCFIandforestinventoryprocedurewascompletedin2016.Yieldtableswerecreatedfromtheinventorydata,andourforestmodelwasupdated.Regenerationsurveyshavebeenconductedonrecentharvestsites.
8.2.a.2Significant,unanticipatedremovalorlossorincreasedvulnerabilityofforestresourcesismonitoredandrecorded.
C FMEreportednorecenttimbertheftduringinterviewswithforestmanagers.Nonewmajor
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page63of75
Recordedinformationshallincludedateandlocationofoccurrence,descriptionofdisturbance,extentandseverityofloss,andmaybebothquantitativeandqualitative.
stormordiseaseeventswerereportedin2017.
8.2.bTheforestownerormanagermaintainsrecordsofharvestedtimberandNTFPs(volumeandproductand/orgrade).RecordsmustadequatelyensurethattherequirementsunderCriterion5.6aremet.
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—411,591BFsawtimber,914cords
pulpwood• SRSF—941,285boardfeetand1,105cords
ofpulpwood• PGSF—ByendofFY-17(June30),willhave
520,937Bd.Ft.undercontract• CF/PSF—42,293tons;646MBFRefertoTimberSaleSummaryFY2016in5.6.b.Harvestrecordsforlump-sum,stumpage,andgatewoodsaleswerereviewedatParkerForestryServices.
8.2.cTheforestownerormanagerperiodicallyobtainsdataneededtomonitorpresenceontheFMUof:1) Rare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesand/ortheir
habitats;2) Commonandrareplantcommunitiesand/orhabitat;3) Location,presenceandabundanceofinvasivespecies;4) Conditionofprotectedareas,set-asidesandbufferzones;5) HighConservationValueForests(seeCriterion9.4).
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Woodcocksinginggroundsurvey,
woodturtleandherpalologysurveys,wildturkeypoultproduction,beardenreproductionsurveys,bearbaitsurveys,nightjarsurvey,golden-wingedwarblersurvey,cameratrappingsurveysforspottedskunk.
• SRSF—Variousresearchprojectshavebeenongoingthroughouttheforestfocusingonaplethoraofplantandanimalcommunitiesincludingnorthernlong-earedbats,Americanchestnut,easternred-backedsalamanders,millipedes,golden-wingedwarblers,AlleghenywoodratsandMonardadidyma.Projectstocontrolthenon-nativeinvasivespeciesgarlicmustardandJapanesespireawereconductedintheBearPenWildlands.WildlifeandHeritageDivisionofDNRhaveongoingmonitoringforblackbears,goldeneagles,stripedskunksandAppalachiancottontails.
• PGSF—DNRWildlifeandHeritageProgram’ssurveysforbothNewEnglandCottontailandSpottedSkunks,aswellasannualGoshawk
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page64of75
Nestingmonitoring.• CF/PSF—DelmarvaFoxSquirrelmonitoring
bytheUSFWS,batmonitoringbySalisburyUniversity&plantcommunitymonitoringbyourWildlife&HeritageUnit.
Duringtheaudit,FMEpresentedpublishedpapersonmonitoringresultsoftheFrostedElfinbutterfly,aswellasmonitoringincludedasapartofupdatedAWPs.
8.2.d.1Monitoringisconductedtoensurethatsitespecificplansandoperationsareproperlyimplemented,environmentalimpactsofsitedisturbingoperationsareminimized,andthatharvestprescriptionsandguidelinesareeffective.
C TimberSaleInspectionformsaremaintainedforharvestmonitoringvisitsandfinalizedattheendofharvest.ParkerForestryServicesdemonstratedinspectionformsforthesitesvisitedin2017.ParkerForestryServicesalsodemonstratedchemicalapplicationmapsthatshowapplicationtrailsandthatprotectedareaswereavoided.
8.2.d.2Amonitoringprogramisinplacetoassesstheconditionandenvironmentalimpactsoftheforest-roadsystem.
C AForestRoadsManagementForForestOperationsonMarylandStateForestshasbeenimplemented.ThispolicycreatesasystematicinventoryoftheStateForestroadsincludingORVtrails.ThisplandocumentseachroadsegmentanddrainagefeatureinaGIS-basedidentificationsystemandallowsthedevelopmentofapriorityplanforroadmaintenanceandfeaturereplacementthatisincorporatedintoannualworkplansforeachstateforest.
8.2.d.3Thelandownerormanagermonitorsrelevantsocio-economicissues(seeIndicator4.4.a),includingthesocialimpactsofharvesting,participationinlocaleconomicopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.g),thecreationand/ormaintenanceofqualityjobopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.b),andlocalpurchasingopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.e).
C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—NONE• SRSF—Five(5)trailcountershavebeen
installedthroughouttheforesttomonitorvisitornumbersandthedataisdownloadedatregularintervals.
• PGSF—WesternStateForestshaveengagedincooperativeprojectwithFrostburgStateUniversitytocarryoutaRecreation/TourismEconomicImpactStudy,withsurveyworkslatedtobeginnowinApril2017.
• CF/PSF—Monitoringofsocialmediasitesrelatedtorecreationaltrailuse.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page65of75
8.2.d.4Stakeholderresponsestomanagementactivitiesaremonitoredandrecordedasnecessary.
C Ateachstateforestacomplaintslogismaintained.Thiswasexaminedandresolutiontoeachcommentisdocumentedwhentheissuehasbeeninvestigatedandclosed.
8.2.d.5Wheresitesofculturalsignificanceexist,theopportunitytojointlymonitorsitesofculturalsignificanceisofferedtotribalrepresentatives(seePrinciple3).
C TherearenosuchsitesontheFMU.However,FMEofferedthisopportunitytoTribesparticipatingintheCACinthepast.Inaddition,FMEiscooperatingwiththeMDCommissionofIndianAffairsThemostsignificantchangesincethelastauditisthatmanagersintheEasternRegionhaveinitiatedcontactwithanewrecognizedtribalrepresentativeandaretryingtoattaintribalparticipationontheCAC.
8.2.eTheforestownerormanagermonitorsthecostsandrevenuesofmanagementinordertoassessproductivityandefficiency.
C FMEreportedthatCF/PSFholdsquarterly&biweeklymeetingswiththeContractManager.AllstateforestshaveweeklyBMPinspectionsofharvestingoperations.CostandrevenueismonitoredaspartoftheAWPprocess.AMPscontainasummaryofcostandrevenueinformation.EachSFhasitsownoperationalbudget.EachSFmaintainsaspreadsheetandreportsthesetostateofficesinAnnapolis.Accountingreviewsallexpenditures.
8.3Documentationshallbeprovidedbytheforestmanagertoenablemonitoringandcertifyingorganizationstotraceeachforestproductfromitsorigin,aprocessknownasthe"chainofcustody."
NE
8.4Theresultsofmonitoringshallbeincorporatedintotheimplementationandrevisionofthemanagementplan.
C
8.4.aTheforestownerormanagermonitorsanddocumentsthedegreetowhichtheobjectivesstatedinthemanagementplanarebeingfulfilled,aswellassignificantdeviationsfromtheplan.
C MonitoringresultsofongoingprojectsarefrequentlyreportedoninAWPs,includingonwhetherprojectobjectivesarebeingmet.MonitoringreportsarealsopublishedontheFME’swebsite.BMPmonitoringandforestinventoryupdatesoccuronscheduleeveryfewyearssothatachievementofforestmanagementobjectivescanbeassessed.
8.4.bWheremonitoringindicatesthatmanagementobjectives C Regularmanagementplanningupdateprocesses
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page66of75
andguidelines,includingthosenecessaryforconformancewiththisStandard,arenotbeingmetorifchangingconditionsindicatethatachangeinmanagementstrategyisnecessary,themanagementplan,operationalplans,and/orotherplanimplementationmeasuresarerevisedtoensuretheobjectivesandguidelineswillbemet.IfmonitoringshowsthatthemanagementobjectivesandguidelinesthemselvesarenotsufficienttoensureconformancewiththisStandard,thentheobjectivesandguidelinesaremodified.
underC7.2arebeingusedtoensurethatmonitoringinformationisbeingincorporatedintotheplans.SinceAWPsareprepared18monthspriortothebeginningofthefiscalyear,resultsofmonitoringareregularlyusedtomodifyandupdatemanagementapproaches.TheSFMPsintheEasternRegionwasupdatedtoincorporatetheresultsofDFSrecoveryefforts,especiallyinadjustingapproachestoclassifyingsuitablehabitatandtranslocation.IntheWesternRegion,useoftheSILVAHsystemhaschangedsomeoftheapproachestomonitoringregenerationandmakingdecisionsonstandtreatments,asincludedinAWPs.
8.5Whilerespectingtheconfidentialityofinformation,forestmanagersshallmakepubliclyavailableasummaryoftheresultsofmonitoringindicators,includingthoselistedinCriterion8.2.
C
8.5.aWhileprotectinglandownerconfidentiality,eitherfullmonitoringresultsoranup-to-datesummaryofthemostrecentmonitoringinformationismaintained,coveringtheIndicatorslistedinCriterion8.2,andisavailabletothepublic,freeoratanominalprice,uponrequest.
C ThereisamonitoringtabincludedineachStateForest’swebpage.Also,eachAWPincludesasectiononupdatestomonitoringprojects.AllelementsofCriterion8.2areaddressed.SeealsoresponsetoMajorCAR2014.14foramorecompletelistingofpubliclyavailablemonitoringresults.
Principle#9:Managementactivitiesinhighconservationvalueforestsshallmaintainorenhancetheattributeswhichdefinesuchforests.Decisionsregardinghighconservationvalueforestsshallalwaysbeconsideredinthecontextofaprecautionaryapproach.HighConservationValueForestsarethosethatpossessoneormoreofthefollowingattributes:a) Forestareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificant:concentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.,
endemism,endangeredspecies,refugia);and/orlargelandscapelevelforests,containedwithin,orcontainingthemanagementunit,whereviablepopulationsofmostifnotallnaturallyoccurringspeciesexistinnaturalpatternsofdistributionandabundance
b) Forestareasthatareinorcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystemsc) Forestareasthatprovidebasicservicesofnatureincriticalsituations(e.g.,watershedprotection,erosioncontrol)d) Forestareasfundamentaltomeetingbasicneedsoflocalcommunities(e.g.,subsistence,health)and/orcriticalto
localcommunities’traditionalculturalidentity(areasofcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificanceidentifiedincooperationwithsuchlocalcommunities).
9.1AssessmenttodeterminethepresenceoftheattributesconsistentwithHighConservationValueForestswillbecompleted,appropriatetoscaleandintensityofforest
NE
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page67of75
management.9.2Theconsultativeportionofthecertificationprocessmustplaceemphasisontheidentifiedconservationattributes,andoptionsforthemaintenancethereof.
NE
9.3Themanagementplanshallincludeandimplementspecificmeasuresthatensurethemaintenanceand/orenhancementoftheapplicableconservationattributesconsistentwiththeprecautionaryapproach.Thesemeasuresshallbespecificallyincludedinthepubliclyavailablemanagementplansummary.
NE
9.4Annualmonitoringshallbeconductedtoassesstheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedtomaintainorenhancetheapplicableconservationattributes.
C
9.4.aTheforestownerormanagermonitors,orparticipatesinaprogramtoannuallymonitor,thestatusofthespecificHCVattributes,includingtheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedfortheirmaintenanceorenhancement.ThemonitoringprogramisdesignedandimplementedconsistentwiththerequirementsofPrinciple8.
C FMEreportedthatitsWildlife&HeritageUnitcontinuestomonitorESAspostrestorationtreatmentonhighprioritysites.DNRFisheriesdoregularBrooktroutmonitoringinSFstreams,MarylandBiologicalStreamSurveyhasdatacollectionpointsonseveralstreams(allinHCVFstreambuffers),MDMarylandDepartmentofAgricultureHemlockWoolyAdelgidprotectioneffortsaremonitoredbyMDAforeffectiveness,mostofthesestandsarewithinHCVFareas,includingthe50ft.streambuffers.FMEhasonlyreportedonactivitiesrelatedtothemanagementofsignificantconcentrationsofRTEspecies,suchastheDelmarvaFoxSquirrel.WhilemanyHCVsrelyonpassivemanagementapproaches,NaturalHeritagestaffconductannualreviewsoftheseareasbasedonasamplingprotocol.PublicationsonFrostedElfinbutterflyhabitatwereprovidedasevidenceofmonitoringofthissignificantconcentrationofRTEspeciespopulation.
9.4.bWhenmonitoringresultsindicateincreasingrisktoaspecificHCVattribute,theforestowner/managerre-evaluatesthemeasurestakentomaintainorenhancethatattribute,andadjuststhemanagementmeasuresinanefforttoreversethetrend.
C FMEhasnotreportedanyincreasingriskstospecificHCVattributesundertheircontrol.
APPENDICES
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page68of75
APPENDIXC:REGIONALLIMITSANDOTHERGUIDELINESONOPENINGSIZES,Indicator6.3.g.1ThisAppendixcontainsregionalIndicatorsandguidancepertinenttomaximumopeningsizesandotherguidelinesfordeterminingsizeopeningsandretention.TheseIndicatorsarerequirementsbasedonFSC-USregionaldelineationsAPPALACHIAREGION6.3.g.1.aWheneven-agedsilviculture(e.g.,seedtree,regularorirregularshelterwood),ordefermentcuttingisemployed,livetreesandnativevegetationareretainedandopeningsizesarecreatedwithintheharvestunitinaproportionandconfigurationthatisconsistentwiththecharacteristicnaturaldisturbanceregimeineachcommunitytype,unlessretentionatalowerlevelisnecessaryforrestorationorrehabilitationpurposes.Harvestopeningswithnoretentionarelimitedto10acres.Guidance:Even-agesilvicultureisusedonlywherenaturallyoccurringspeciesaremaintainedorenhanced.Retentionwithinharvestunitscanincluderiparianandstreamsidebuffersandotherspecialzones.Inaddition,desirableoverstoryandunderstoryspeciesmayberetainedoutsideofbuffersorspecialzoneswhileallowingforregenerationofshade-intolerantandintermediatespeciesconsistentwithoverallmanagementprincipals.Wherestandshavebeendegraded,lessretentioncanbeusedtoimprovebothmerchantableandnon-merchantableattributes.
NE TheWesternRegionoftheFMUwasnotvisitedin2017.
6.3.g.1.bWhenunevenagesilviculturaltechniquesareused(e.g.,individualtreeselectionorgroupselection),canopyopeningsarelessthan2.5acres.Applicabilitynote:Unevenagesilviculturaltechniquesareusedwhentheymaintainorenhancetheoverallspeciesrichnessandbiologicdiversity,regenerate-shadetolerantorintermediate-tolerantspecies,and/orprovidesmallcanopyopeningstoregenerateshade-intolerantandintermediatespecies.Uneven-agetechniquesaregenerallyusedtodevelopforestswithatleastthreeageclasses.Unevenagesilvicultureisemployedtopreventhigh-gradingand/ordiameterlimitcutting.
NE TheWesternRegionoftheFMUwasnotvisitedin2017.
SOUTHEASTREGION6.3.g.1.aPrimaryandnaturalforests:clear-cuttingisnotallowed.Harvestingisnotallowedatallinprimaryforests.Semi-naturalforests:standswithtreesgreaterthan100yearsold:clear-cuttingisnotallowed;even-agedstandsofhardwoodandcypress:clear-cuttingisallowed;thesizeofopenings
C WithintheEasternStateForests(SoutheastRegion)even-agedsilvicultureincludingfinalstageofshelterwood(overstoryremoval)andclearcutsarerestrictedtopreviouslyestablishedpinestandsthatarebeingmanagedassemi-natural/naturalstandsandopeningsthatarelessthan40acresinsize.Anotableexceptionto
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page69of75
shouldbeconservative.Even-agedstandsofpineandpine/hardwood:clear-cuttingisallowed;thesizeofopeningsshouldnotbehigherthanthelimitforplantationsandshouldbejustifiedbynaturalregenerationrequirements.Clear-cutsupto80acresareallowedincaseswherea40-acrestandwouldnotprovideenoughtimbervolumetosecureaneconomicallyoperabletimbersale,meaningthatthesalewouldnotattractabuyerand/orthelandownerwouldnotmakeaprofitfromthesale.Examplesofsuchcasesincludestandsthathavebeenhighgradedandthemostvaluablespeciesoftreeshavealreadybeenremoved,orwhereasitehasbeenplantedwithinappropriate,poorlygrowingspeciesandthelandowner/managerwantstoclearandrestorethesite.Thisexceptioncannotbeusedwhena40-acreclearcutwouldbeeconomicallyoperableandalandownerwantstocut80acressimplytomakeagreaterprofit.Clearcutsupto80acresareallowedincaseswhereharvestingastandin40acreblockswouldcauseunnecessaryenvironmentaldisturbancetotheareasurroundingthestand.Anexceptiontoallofthelimitsontheuseandsizeofclearcutscanbemadeincasesofecologicnecessity.Clearcuttingmaybeusedinnaturalforeststands--whereappropriateandnecessary--asatoolformaintainingecosystemsthataredependentonlarge,contiguousopenings.Anexampleisthesandpinescrubecosystem,whichsupportstheecologicallysignificantFloridascrubjayandiscurrentlybeingmanagedwithlarge,contiguousclear-cuts.Ecologistsurgetheuseoflargeclearcutsinthesandpinescrubecosystemtomimicthestand-replacing,catastrophicfiresthathistoricallymaintainedtheecosystem.Thisexceptionmayonlybeusedwhensupportedbyscientificliterature.
clearcutopeningsizesisinthecaseofrestorationplansdevelopedincooperationwiththeFMENaturalHeritagetore-establishDelmarvaBays,whicharebasedonbestavailablescience.Seealsosection2.1(fieldtour).TherearenolimitationsonopeningsizelimitsintheSoutheasternregionalindicators;however,therearesuggestedopeningsizelimits(80acres).Theaverageclearcutsizeis40acres,butFMEhashadopeningsthatof120-160acresinthecaseofrestorationofwetlandecosystemswherepinewasplantedorinvadedafterdisturbance(e.g.,NassawangoPinesRestorationProject).Inthesecases,wetlandhydrologyisoftenrestoredandpinesareremovedwiththeintentofrestoringnaturalplantcommunities.Nosuchsiteswerevisitedinthe2017audit.
Appendix6–ChainofCustodyIndicatorsforFMEs
ChainofCustodyindicatorswerenotevaluatedduringthisannualaudit.X
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page70of75
SCSTrademarkAnnexforFMEs:FSCTrademarks,FSC-STD-50-001V1-2N/A,doesnotuse/intendtouseFSCtrademarksforanypurposes(finishedwiththissection);orN/A,isfullyintegratedandalltrademarkusesaretreatedundertheCOCAnnextothisreportthatincludesafullreview
ofFSC-STD-40-004andFSC-STD-50-001.
NOTE:ThissectionisapplicableforallorganizationsthatuseorintendtouseanyFSCtrademarksforpromotionaland/oron-productpurposes.Forevaluationaudits,itisacceptabletomarkCiftheclientdemonstratesanadequateawarenessoftherequirementsthroughinterviewsandotherapplicableevidence.ArequirementshouldbemarkedNCandacorrespondingCARshouldbeissuedforanynonconformanceidentified,suchasuseofFSCtrademarkspriortograntingofcertification.
Descriptionofhowtheorganizationcurrentlyuses,orintendstouse,FSCtrademarksand/orlabels,includingbutnotlimitedtoprintedmaterials,Internetapplications,on-productlabeling,andotherpublic-facingmedia:
FMEmakespromotionaluseoftheFSCTrademarksonitswebsite,AnnualWorkPlans,andsomebrochures.FSCTrademarksonthewebsiteareincorrectandnotapproved.FMEcouldnotdemonstrateitstrademarkapprovalrecordsduringtheaudit.
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.9ProductsintendedtobelabeledorpromotedasFSCcertifiedareincludedintheorganization’scertifiedproductgrouplist.
X C NC Cw/Obs
Evidence:Confirmedviareviewofproductgrouplist,website,annualworkplans,andbrochure.
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.4,1.6–1.8,1.13–1.14TheorganizationdoesnotusetheFSCtrademarksinthefollowingways:
§ inconnectionwiththesaleorpromotionofFSCControlledWood(§1.4)§ inanywaythatcouldcauseconfusion,misinterpretationorlossofcredibilitytothe
FSCcertificationscheme(§1.6)§ toimplyanyFSCendorsementorresponsibilityoftheorganization’sactivitiesoutside
ofthecertificatescope(§1.7)§ toimplyanyFSCresponsibilityfortheproductionofproducts,documentsor
promotionalmaterials(§1.8)§ inproductbrandnames,companynamesorwebsitedomainnames(§1.13)§ translatedtoanotherlanguagewithnoEnglishincluded(§1.14)
X C NC Cw/Obs
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,7.2TheFSCtrademarksarenotusedtogetherwiththemarksofotherforestcertificationschemesinawaywhichimpliesequivalenceorinawaywhichisdisadvantageoustotheFSCtrademarksintermsofsizeorplacement.
X C NC Cw/Obs
Sections1.4,1.6–1.8,1.13,1.14,and7.2Evidence:Confirmedviareviewofannualworkplans,brochure,andwebsite.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page71of75
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.11AnyinformationaboutFSCthatisinadditiontoFSCtrademarksandlabelsincludedinanymaterialhasbeengivenpriorapprovalbySCS.
C NC Cw/Obs
X N/A,noadditionalFSCinformation
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.15TheuseoftheFSC“checkmark-and-tree”logoisdirectlyaccompaniedbytheappropriatetrademarksymbols®or™(insuperscriptfont).Theappropriatesymbolalsoaccompaniesthefirstuseof“FSC”and“ForestStewardshipCouncil”inanytext.NOTES:
1. TheuseoftrademarkregistrationsymbolisnotrequiredforFSCclaimsinsalesanddeliverydocuments,orforthedisclaimer/statementspecifiedinrequirement7.5ofFSC-STD-50-001V1-2.Theregistrationsymbolisrequiredforanyotheruseofinitials“FSC”ondocuments;however,theomissionoftheuseoftrademarkregistrationsymbolinpromotionaltextsrelatedtoFSConinvoicetemplates,deliverynotesandsimilardocumentsispossibleifthesoftwareusedtoproducethesedocumentsdoesnotsupporttrademarkregistrationsymbols.Thisexceptiononlyappliestotheuseofthetrademarkregistrationsymbolfortheinitials“FSC”andthename“ForestStewardshipCouncil”.
2. InJanuary2014,inHongKong,FSCchangedthetrademarksymbolfrom®backtoTM.Companiesaffectedbythischangewhichhaveapprovedartworkwiththe®registeredtrademarksymbolfordistributioninHongKongmaycontinuetoproduce,distributeandsellintothemarketproductusingtheregisteredtrademarksymbolontheFSCtrademarksuntil1September2015,withanadditionalliquidationperiodofsixmonths,whichexpires1March2016.AllnewartworkmustusetheTMtrademarksymbol.
3. WheretheFSCinitialsareusedverticallyinthetraditionalwayofwritingforAsiannations,theregistrationstatussymbolmaybeusedinsuperscriptfontineitherthetoprightcorner(alongsideF),orthebottomrightcorner(alongsideC)aspreferred.Inthisinstance,mark“C”.
CX NC Cw/Obs
N/A,oneormoreofthenotedexceptionsapply
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.16AllFSCtrademarkuseshavebeensubmittedtoSCSforapproval.
CX NC Cw/Obs
Sections1.11,1.15and1.16Evidence:Confirmedviareviewofwebsite,annualworkplans,andbrochure.FirstmentionofForestStewardshipCouncilandFSCarenotfollowedbythe‘R’symbolandwebsitehasnotbeensubmittedforapprovaltoSCS.Noapprovalrecordswereavailable.SeeCAR2017.3.
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.10All(previouslyapproved)FSClabelsonlyusetheFSClabelartworkprovidedonthelabelgeneratororotherwiseissuedorapprovedbySCSorFSC.
X C NC Cw/Obs
N/A,noapprovedFSClabels
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,Sections10,11and12All(previouslyapproved)FSClabelsandlogosconformtothestandardrequirementsforcolorandfont(§10.1-10.3,11.5,11.7,11.9),formatandsize(§10.4-10.7,11.2,11.3,11.8),trademarksymbol(§10.8,11.4),FSCtrademarklicensecode(§10.9),labeltext(§10.10-10.15)and/orminilabelrequirements(§10.16-10.18).Thelabelorlogoisnotbeingmisusedinanymannerdescribedinsection12.2.
X C NC Cw/Obs
N/A,noapprovedFSClabels
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page72of75
Sections1.10,10,11and12.2Evidence:Confirmedviareviewofwebsite,annualworkplans,andbrochure.NologosareusedontheFSCwebsite.
PromotionaluseoftheFSCtrademarks
N/A,doesnotuse/intendtouseFSCtrademarksforpromotionalpurposes(SkipPromotionalsection)
NOTE:ThissectionisapplicableforallorganizationsthatuseorintendtouseFSCtrademarksforpromotionalpurposes.Forevaluationaudits,itisacceptabletomarkCiftheclientdemonstratesanadequateawarenessoftherequirementsthroughinterviewsandotherapplicableevidence.ArequirementshouldbemarkedNCandacorrespondingCARshouldbeissuedforanynonconformanceidentified,suchasuseofFSCtrademarkspriortograntingofcertification.
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.12,4.4TheFSCtrademarksarenotusedtopromoteproductqualityaspectsnotcoveredbyFSCcertification(§1.12).AnyclaimsregardingqualitiesoutsidethecontrolofFSC,suchasotherenvironmentalattributesoftheproduct,areseparatedfromtextaboutFSC(§4.4).
C NC Cw/Obs
X N/A,noadditionalqualityclaims
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,6.1Catalogues,brochures,andwebsitesmeetthefollowingrequirements:
a) Thepromotionalpanel,oratleasttheFSCtrademarklicensecode,isinaprominentplace.
b) Whentheproductsarenotallonthesamepage,alinkortextsuchas“LookforFSCcertifiedproducts”isincludednexttothepanel/code.
c) FSCcertifiedproductsareindicatedbyusingthelogoorwith“FSCcertified”intheproductdescription.
CX NC Cw/Obs
N/A,donotusetrademarksintheseitems
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,4.1ForlabeledstationeryandbrochuresprintedonFSC-certifiedpaper,thelabelisnotinsuchaprominentpositionastomakeitappearthatanyorganization(oritsproducts)representedinthepublicationisendorsedbyFSC.(E.g.theFSClabelisnotplacedonthefrontcoverofthebrochureornexttoimagesofforest-basedproductswhicharenotFSCcertified.)
C NC Cw/Obs
X N/A,nosuchlabeleditems
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,6.2FSCcertifiedproductsarenotpromotedusingonlytheSCSKingfisherand/orSCSGlobalServiceslogo.
X C NC Cw/Obs
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,7.3FSCtrademarksarenotusedatthetopofdocumenttemplatessuchasletterheads,salesdocumentsandemails.
X C NC Cw/Obs
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,7.4TheFSCtrademarksarenotusedonbusinesscardstopromotetheorganization’scertification.
X C NC
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page73of75
NOTE:Ifauthorizationwasdulyreceivedundertheprevioustrademarkstandard,theorganizationmayusetheexistingsupplyuntilitisdepleted.Inthiscase,theapprovalmustbeavailableandmusthavebeengrantedpriortoJuly1,2011.
Cw/Obs
N/A,approvalgrantedpriortoJuly1,2011
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,4.2IfabusinesscardisprintedonFSC-certifiedpaper,theminilabelwithproducttypeisusedatminimumsize.TheuseoftheminilabeldoesnotimplythattheorganizationisaffiliatedwithFSC.
C NC Cw/Obs
XN/A,nolabeledbusinesscards
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,8.1,8.2Allpromotionalitems(e.g.,mugs,pens,T-shirts,caps,banners,vehicles,etc.)display,atminimum,theFSClogoandFSCtrademarklicensecode(§8.1).Anypromotionalitemsmadewhollyorpartlyofwood(e.g.,pencils,memorysticks,etc.)meettheapplicablelabelingrequirementsspecifiedbyFSC-STD-40-004(§8.2).
C NC Cw/Obs
XN/A,noFSClabelsonpromotionalitems
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,8.3ForFSCtrademarksusedforpromotionattradefairstheorganizationhasclearlymarkedwhichproductsareFSCcertifiedandtheproductscarryanFSClabel;orifnoproductsaredisplayed,avisibledisclaimerstating,“AskforourFSCcertifiedproducts,”or,“WecanprovideFSCcertifiedproductsuponrequest,”ispresent.NOTE:UseoftexttodescribetheFSCcertificationoftheorganizationdoesnotrequireadisclaimer.
C NC Cw/Obs
X
N/A,noFSCtrademarksusedforpromotionattradefairs
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,9.1,9.2TheorganizationtakesfullresponsibilityfortheuseofFSCtrademarksbyinvestmentcompaniesandothersmakingfinancialclaimsbasedontheirFSCcertifiedoperations(§9.1).Anysuchclaimsareaccompaniedbythedisclaimer,“FSCisnotresponsibleforanddoesnotendorseanyfinancialclaimsonreturnsoninvestments”(§9.2).
C NC Cw/Obs
X
N/A,noinvestmentclaimsaboutFSCoperations
PromotionalTrademarksSectionEvidence:Confirmedviareviewofwebsite,annualworkplans,andbrochure.Thewebsitedoesnotmeetthefollowingrequirements:
a) Thepromotionalpanel,oratleasttheFSCtrademarklicensecode,isnotinaprominentplace.SeeCAR2017.3.
Numberandvarietyofpromotionaltrademarksandassociatedapprovalrecordsreviewed:Seewebsite,annualworkplans,andbrochure.Businesscardsdonothaveanytrademarks.
Rationalethatsamplechoiceissufficienttoconfirmsystemisfunctioningeffectivelyandasdescribed:Onlytheseusesweredetectedorreported.
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page74of75
UsingtheFSClabelsonproducts
X N/A,doesnotuse/intendtouseFSCon-product/packaginglabels(Skipsection11)
NOTE:ThissectionisapplicableforallorganizationsthatuseorintendtouseFSCtrademarksforon-productpurposes.Forevaluationaudits,itisacceptabletomarkCiftheclientdemonstratesanadequateawarenessoftherequirementsthroughinterviewsandotherapplicableevidence.ArequirementshouldbemarkedNCandacorrespondingCARshouldbeissuedforanynonconformanceidentified,suchasuseofFSCtrademarkspriortograntingofcertification.
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.1Foreachon-productclaim,theorganizationhasselectedthecorrectFSClabelbasedupontheFSCclaimthattheproducthasbeensuppliedwithorisqualifiedfor.NOTE:ForFM/COCcertificates,theFSClabelandclaimisFSC100%.
C NC Cw/Obs
SectionsFSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.1Evidence:
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.3TheFSClabelisclearlyvisibleontheproduct,itspackagingorboth.
C NC Cw/Obs
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.6Marksofotherforestrycertificationschemesarenotusedonthesameproduct(exceptforproductpromotionoreducationalpurposesinanFSClabeledpublication,aslongastherearenoclaimsaboutthepaperofthepublicationbeingcertifiedagainsttheothercertificationscheme(§2.6.1)).
C NC Cw/Obs
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.7WhenproductsarebeingmadeforsaletoretailerswhomaywishtousetheFSCtrademarkstopromotethem,theproductscarrytheFSClabeleitherontheproductoronpackagingwhichwillbevisibletotheconsumer.
C NC Cw/Obs
N/A,productsnotbeingmadeforsaletoretailers
FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,4.3WheretheFSClogowiththelicensecodeisappliedasaheatbrandorstencildirectlytotheproductwithoutallrequiredlabelelements,astandardlabelisalsousedeitheronthepackagingorattachedasastickerorhang-tag.
C NC Cw/Obs
N/A,nobrand/stencil
N/A,brand/stencilincludesallelements
Sections2.2–2.7,4.3Evidence:
Numberandvarietyofon-productlogosandassociatedapprovalrecordsreviewed:
ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL
Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page75of75
Rationalethatsamplechoiceissufficienttoconfirmsystemisfunctioningeffectivelyandasdescribed: