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Appendix C
Forest Management Activities
(Formal Bid Invitation and Form,
Unanticipated Site Discovery, Notice to
Customers, Forest Prescriptions and
Section 7)
Execution of Forest Management Activities
Habitat Inventory
Each forest management unit is assigned a year of entry. The year of entry is assigned to
distribute forest management activities across the refuge throughout the duration of this habitat
management plan. Following the Order of Entry (Table 3), a habitat inventory will be conducted
for each compartment. The inventory may be conducted using fixed plot and point sampling
techniques. Sampling will be done utilizing 10, 15, or 20 factor prisms for point samples or
1/5th, 1/10th, and 1/100th acre plots for fixed radius plots depending on the habitat matrix
sampled. The following data will be collected during each compartment inventory:
1.
Species Compositions
2.
Species Size (Diameter at Breast Height)
3.
Species Height (Merchantable Height)
4.
Species Condition
5.
Presence/Absence and Composition of Regeneration
6.
Presence/Absence of Cavities
7.
Structural Density of each Canopy Cover Layer (overstory, midstory, understory)
8.
Presence/Absence of Switch Cane
9.
Density of Vines
10.
Presence of Course Woody Debris
Table 3. Order of Entry 2011-2026
Entry Cycle Year
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Compartments for Inventory
3, 15, 18, 20
6, 13, 19, 23
2, 12, 16, 27
5, 10, 22, 26
1, 8, 17, 25
4, 9, 11, 28
7, 14, 21, 24
3, 15, 18, 20
6, 13, 19, 23
2, 12, 16, 27
5, 10, 22, 26
1, 8, 17, 25
2023
2024
2025
2026
4, 9, 11, 28
7, 14, 21, 24
3, 15, 18, 20
6, 13, 19, 23
Forest management activity prescriptions will contain the following information:
1.
Introduction with inventory techniques
2.
Location/Compartment Map
3.
Description of compartment including vegetation profile and other physiological features
4.
Inventory data
5.
RCW Foraging Habitat Analysis for treatments within foraging radius of clusters.
6.
Presciption of Silvicultural Treatments including stand, acres, sawtimber and pulpwood
volumes, and basal area removed.
7.
Description of desired results
8.
Inventory Data for Entire Compartment including stand number, date inventoried,
sawtimber and pulpwood volumes per acre, pine and hardwood basal area per acre, acres, age,
total basal area per acre, and treatment type
9.
Stand and Habitat Type Maps
10.
Map of Treatment Area
**Volume tables for each compartment will be expressed in 2-inch diameter classes for both
sawtimber and pulpwood. Doyle form class 80 will be used to express volume sawtimber (MBF)
and pulpwood (cords) volumes for pine. Doyle form class 78 will be used to express volume
sawtimber (MBF) and pulpwood (cords) volumes for bottomland hardwoods.
After the Prescription is written, it will be submitted to the Regional Office for approval. A
section 7 will be completed for all forest activities related to threatened and endangered species.
The section 7 will be sent to the Jackson Mississippi Ecological Services Field Office for
approval. Copies of Prescriptions and all other information will be kept on file in the refuge
office.
To determine which trees are designated for removal, Refuge Staff will follow sound
silvicultural procedures prescribed in the compartment prescription. As the Refuge Staff
determines which trees are to be removed, paint will be applied at breast height and at the base of
trees to be removed. These two marks allow for the contractor to distinguish which trees are
designated for removal during operations and help the Staff identify the stumps of marked trees
during administration of the logging contract.
Marking is very subjective and varies from one timber marker to another. Though the
compartment prescription gives the marker guidelines to follow, each individual marker has a
different opinion on how to reach the desired results of the compartment prescription. To ensure
forest diversity and avoid bias, more than one person will be involved with the marking of
treatment areas on the refuge.
During the marking activities, many factors are considered before selecting a tree for removal.
These include species composition of the compartment, tree health and vigor, present
regeneration, potential regeneration, canopy structure, number of cavities within the area, habitat
value of the tree, mast production (if applicable), and objectives of the compartment prescription.
The compartment prescription designates how much timber volume or basal area to remove
during a treatment, but the application of the prescription occurs during marking.
The sale must satisfy certain conditions to be operable by a contractor. For present market
conditions, the following guidelines apply to ales open to formal competitive bidding;
adjustments may be necessary if significant changes in the economy occur. Total sale volumes
could be less in the case of a negotiated sale; however, the average volumes per acre would
remain essentially unchanged.
In general, the following limits are required for commercial sale.
Product
Minimum Diameter
Minimum Merchantable Length
Breast Height (DBH)
Pine Sawtimber
10.0 inches
12 feet
Pine Pulpwood
5.0 inches
10 feet
Hardwood Sawtimber
12.0 inches
12 feet
Hardwood Pulpwood
7.0 inches
10 feet
**Trees that fork immediately above DBH will be measured below the swell resulting from the
double stem. The longest utilizable stem shall be measured for the merchantable height. Trees
that fork below DBH shall be considered as two separate trees, and the diameters shall be
measured or estimated 3 ½ feet above the fork.
Timber harvest operations can occur anytime of the year. Harvests will be restricted to dry
periods of the year to keep soil disturbance and damage to residual vegetation at a minimum.
Harvest activities will be limited, when possible, between April and June to minimize
disturbance of breeding and nesting activities of most bird species.
Harvest Operations
Permanent roads for commercial timber harvest operations will be limited to existing roads only.
This will help reduce fragmentation of the habitat and limit disturbance to soil and plants
throughout the refuge. Road edges that receive direct sunlight may provide substantial amounts
of soft mast (fruit), where otherwise closed canopy forests make this important food source rare
(Perry et al, 1999). Edge habitats along roads may be important for reasons stated above, but
should still be limited because of concerns of increased predation and parasitism of bird nests
(Robinson et al. 1995), and effects of roads on amphibian movements (Gibbs 1998, deMaynadier
and Hunter 2000).
Harvest operations will be allowed to use skidders, crawler tractors, and wheeled tractors to skid
logs to loading areas where they are loaded onto trucks. Tree-length skidding will be allowed.
When possible, harvest should be conducted outside of breeding season for birds (April-June),
but management can be conducted during this period if necessary. Special conditions and/or
restrictions, as determined by refuge staff, may be stated in the Timber Sale Bid Invitation
(Exhibit 3) and Special Use Permit awarded to the highest bidder for the Sale Bid.
In order to confirm harvest procedures and address any questions, a pre-entry conference will be
held between the Refuge Manager and/or Refuge Forester, Permittee, and the Contractor, if
different than the Permittee. The Permittee is to notify the Refuge when harvesting operations
begin and are completed.
Close inspection and supervision of all sales is necessary to ensure that harvesting operations
meet the conditions of the Special Use Permit and refuge objectives. Frequent inspections of
harvesting operations will ensure that only designated trees are cut, and problems are rectified
before becoming major issues. Harvesting operations may be suspended or restricted any time
that continued operation might cause excessive damage to the forest stands, soil, wildlife habitat,
or cultural resources. Reasons for suspension or restriction may include, but are not limited to:
periods of high wildfire potential, insects or disease hazard, times when harvesting may interfere
with essential refuge operations, during periods of heavy rains or wet conditions which may
cause rutting and erosion of soils, when harvesting operations present a safety hazard, or when
harvest operations reveal new or may damage existing cultural resources. Furthermore,
operations may be suspended or terminated if the Permittee violates the conditions of the Special
Use Permit.
When harvesting is complete, the Refuge Forester or designated Refuge Staff will inspect the site
for compliance with all requirements of the contract. If any deficiencies are found, the Permittee
will be notified and given reasonable time to achieve compliance. If full compliance is achieved,
the Permittee’s performance deposit will be returned in full. If not, an amount to mitigate
damages will be deducted from the performance deposit and the remaining amount returned.
Monitoring
Upon completion of prescribed harvest operations, each treatment area will be monitored the
next year and every 5 years after to see if desired results of the compartment prescription have
been met. Monitoring will consist of the Refuge Staff or Contractor walking through the treated
area and taking basal area measurements at several points. This will help the Refuge Staff to
determine what changes, if any, may be needed for future forest management prescriptions.
To monitor the impact of management activities on migratory birds, a bird-monitoring program
will be developed. The information gathered from the bird-monitoring assists in identifying the
impacts of management activities on bird populations, as well as other wildlife species, before
and after treatment. This information will help adapt management activities to the needs of the
many plant and animal species utilizing the forested habitat of the refuge.
A Geographical Information System (GIS) and Global Positioning System (GPS) database has
been developed on the refuge. The current refuge GIS database consists of various image files
including Digital Orthophoto Quarter Quads (DOQQ’s), Digital Raster Graphs (DRG’s) of
USGS topographic quad maps, and 10- 15- 30-meter resolution satellite images. Feature classes,
from a variety of different state and federal agencies provide mapping layers for federal and state
highways, local roads, parish boundary lines, powerline and pipeline rights-of-way, reforestation
projects on private and public lands, public land boundaries, and various other layers providing
information about the area surrounding the refuge.
For this plan, GIS data have been developed on a local scale to reflect the refuge management
activities. To enhance the Refuge specific GIS database, GPS technology has and will continue
to be used to establish compartment boundaries, maps, cruise lines, treatment area maps and
boundaries, monitoring programs, logging access routes, areas of special concern, refuge roads,
beaver activity, cultural resources, forest cover types, map reforestation areas, and all other
management activities related to the refuge.
Aesthetics
Aesthetic values fall under the category of wildlife observation, which is one of the six priority
public uses of refuges designated in the National Wildlife Refuge System Improvement Act of
1997. Although aesthetic values vary from person to person, forest management activities will
use the following guidelines to ensure that wildlife observation opportunities for the public are
not impeded:
1.
Keep harvest sets at least 100-feet away from designated hiking trails.
2.
Maintain a SMZs buffer along the boundary of all major waterways. Road construction,
harvest sets, and skidding of logs will also be prohibited within this buffer. All logging debris
will be removed from within the buffer boundary.
3.
Keep slash piles away from designated hiking trails.
4.
Limit height of slash piles to less than 4 feet in harvest areas and sets, unless otherwise
directed for wildlife habitat improvement purposes.
5.
Ensure all access roads are maintained and free of litter and debris while management
activities are in progress.
Insect and Disease
Insects and diseases that may affect the forested habitat on the refuge can be most effectively
controlled by promoting stand conditions favoring healthy vigorous trees. Trees stressed by
overstocking, flooding, drought, overmaturity, fire, etc., have an increased susceptibility to
insects and diseases. Forest management activities such as thinnings and group selection cuts
will help promote tree health and vigor by reducing competition and stocking as well as
maintaining tree species diversity.
In the event of extensive disease or insect infestation, an aerial survey will be conducted to
monitor/locate infestations. If over 10 active infestations are present, the Refuge Forester will
consult with the Forest Health Unit of The United States Forest Service Southern Region State
and Private Forestry Division in Pineville, Louisiana. In these extreme cases, the Refuge
Manager or Forester may request an expedited treatment. . The formal bidding process for such
treatments may be scaled back in order to expedite the treatment.
Unscheduled Harvesting
Unscheduled harvesting of damaged timber, dead, or down trees following natural events such as
ice storms, tornadoes, disease/insect outbreaks, windstorms, wildfires and etc. is a common
practice in forest management. Forest management on Noxubee NWR will only consider
salvaging timber to reduce fire hazards, for public safety reasons, or to prevent the likelihood of
insect or disease outbreaks. While these natural events usually provide wildlife species with
many habitat needs such as snags for cavities, new denning locations, diversifying the canopy
structure, increased plant diversity on the forest floor, unscheduled harvesting may need to occur
to prevent the loss of habitat for resources of concern due to outbreaks of insects or disease. If
an outbreak of insects or diseases should occur, it may be necessary to enter into a compartment
ahead of the entry cycle to stop or slow the outbreak.
Administration of Sales
Conditions Applicable to Harvesting Permits
1.
A pre-entry conference between the Refuge Forester and the designated Permittee
representative will be a requirement before the purchaser starts harvesting operations. The
purpose of the pre-entry conference is to ensure that the purchaser completely understands what
is expected of him, thus avoid misunderstanding or serious conflict.
2.
If requested, satisfactory scale tickets for timber products shall be submitted to the
Refuge Forester.
3.
Bottomland hardwood species will be cut so as to leave a stump not more than 18 inches
high for sawtimber and pulpwood. Stump height for pine shall not exceed 12 inches for
sawtimber and 6 inches for pulpwood-sized trees. All stump heights are measured at the side
adjacent to the highest ground. In the case of swell-butted species or trees with metal objects in
the butt, stumps may be higher.
4.
Ground level paint spots must remain visible after the tree has been cut. All marked trees
are to be cut, unless otherwise approved by the Refuge Forester.
5.
Trees and tops shall not be left hanging or supported by any other tree and shall be pulled
down immediately after felling.
6.
Tops and logging debris shall be pulled back 20 feet from public roads and topped within
150 feet.
7.
All roads, right-of-ways, fields, openings, streams, and firebreaks must be kept clear of
tops and debris. Permittee shall also repair all damage to same resulting from operations
conducted under this permit.
8.
Littering in any manner is a violation of the Code of Federal Regulations. The entire
work area shall be kept free of litter at all times. Repairs and cleanup work will be accomplished
to the satisfaction of the Refuge Manager and/or Refuge Forester.
9.
Additional trees removed to prepare loading sites will be paid for at bid prices.
Unmarked trees, which are cut or injured through carelessness, shall be paid for at double the bid
price.
10.
The Permittee will remove temporary plugs, dams, and bridges, constructed by the
Permittee, upon completion of the contract. There are areas on the refuge where temporary plugs
or dams in an intermittent stream would not be allowed. These areas will be indicated on sale
maps.
11.
Loading sets will be determined cooperatively between the Refuge Forester and
Permittee.
12.
Ownership of all products remaining on a sale area will revert to the U.S. Government
upon termination of the permit.
13.
Harvest operations within the area of red-cockaded woodpecker clusters will be limited to
non-breeding season. Cluster areas will be indicated on sale area maps when appropriate.
14.
The Refuge Manager and/or Forester shall have authority to temporarily close down all
or any part of the harvest operation during a period of high fire danger, wet ground conditions, or
for any other reason deemed necessary. An equal amount of additional time will be granted to
the Permittee.
15.
The U. S. Government accepts no responsibility to provide right-of-way over private
lands for materials sold under this contract.
16.
The Permittee and his employees will do all within their power to prevent and suppress
wild fires.
17.
The decision of the Refuge Manager shall be final in the interpretation of the regulations
and provisions governing the sale, cutting, and removal of the timber covered by this permit.
18.
When a sale area is adjacent to private land, all logging debris will be pulled back onto
the refuge to avoid damage to private property.
19. Permittee and his employees shall not build fires on the refuge.
Control Records
The primary purpose of records is to show progress made in fulfilling the habitat management
plan objectives. These records include but are not limited to: compartment prescriptions,
compartment geographical information system (GIS) maps, sale area GIS maps, sale contracts
and special use permits, compartment volume tables, order of entry plan and progress reports,
non-commercial treatments, wildlife information gathered by compartment, and data collected
from bird counts conducted throughout the length of the HMP.
Sale Folders
A sale folder will be prepared and maintained for each individual timber sale. The folder shall
contain copies of all data collected for the sale. This includes tally sheets, volume estimates,
maps, bid invitation, Special Use Permits, payment records, correspondence with permittee, sale
compliance inspection notes, copies of deposit checks, payment transmittal forms, etc. The sale
folder shall be kept in a separate folder within the compartment folder for each individual
compartment, thus keeping all information pertaining to a compartment within a single file.
Bid Invitations
Commercial sales are the most practical method available for creating and maintaining desired
forest habitat conditions. All sales will be conducted in accordance with the requirements listed
in the Refuge Manual, and the guidelines and specifications detailed in the Noxubee NWR CCP,
Noxubee NWR Habitat Management Plan, and compartment prescriptions.
Small sales (estimated receipts less than $2,500) will be negotiated as authorized by U. S. Fish
and Wildlife Service policies. The Refuge Forester will make a reasonable effort to obtain at
least three bids from potential buyers. These bids will be documented and a permit will be
issued to the successful bidder.
Larger timber sales (estimated receipts more than $2,500) will be conducted through a formal bid
procedure. Invitations to bid will be prepared and administered by refuge personnel. Formal bid
invitations will be mailed to all prospective bidders. Bid invitations will contain the following
information:
1.
A Formal Bid Information Form containing sales and estimated volume information.
2.
A bid form, which the bidder fills out, signs, and returns to the refuge.
3.
Maps giving general sales location information and detailing all sales units.
4.
General conditions applicable to harvest of forest products.
5.
Special conditions applicable to the sale.
6.
Certificate of Independent Price Determination.
7.
Equal Employment Opportunity Clause (Form 3-176).
8.
Information on dates when prospective bidders can evaluate sales areas before bid
opening.
Bids and Performance Deposits
For all bid sales, a bid opening date and time will be set to occur at the Refuge headquarters. All
bids received prior to the opening time will be kept, unopened and locked in the Refuge
Cashier’s safe until the specified opening time. Any bids received after the specified opening
time will not be accepted. The Refuge retains the right to reject any and all bids, particularly
those that are incomplete or otherwise unacceptable.
A deposit of 10 % of the sale bid in the form of a cashier’s check or money order made out to the
U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service, must accompany all bids received through the formal bid
process. The deposit amount will reflect the size of the sale and potential for damage. The
amount of the deposit will be stipulated in the bid invitation. This deposit is to ensure the
sincerity of the bidder’s intention to purchase the offered sale at the bid price. In the event the
successful bidder chooses not to purchase the offered timber, the bid deposit will be forfeited to
the government. When the successful bidder is named, all unsuccessful bidders’ deposits will be
immediately returned. The successful bidder’s deposit will then become his performance
guarantee deposit and will be retained by the government as such. Before the completion of the
operation, the successful buyer will repair any and all damages caused by his operation. The
performance guarantee deposit may be used to cover any un-repaired damages caused by the
successful bidder, their agents, employees, or their contractors. The balance of the deposit will
be refunded to the successful bidder when the sale and all related repairs are completed.
Small sales through the negotiated process will also require a performance guarantee deposit to
be received by the government prior to any timber harvest.
Special Use Permit
Upon selection of a successful bidder by the Refuge Manager or designated representative, a
Special Use Permit will be issued containing information relevant to the timber sale, such as
terms of payment, authorized activities, General and Special Conditions, and location map. The
Refuge Manager or designated representative, upon receipt of payment, signs the Permit, if the
value is within their warranted authority. If the value is above that amount, an authorized
representative of the Regional Director signs the Special Use Permit.
Payment for Forest Products and Administration of Receipts
The permittee will have 10 business days after notification of award of bidding to make total or
partial payment (according to what is specified in the Special Use Permit). Under no
circumstances will harvest operations begin prior to receipt of payment. The purpose of an
advance payment is to encourage the permittee to begin harvesting operations as quickly as
possible. All payments will be in the form of a cashier’s check or money order payable to the U.
S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
For pay-as-cut sales, the buyer shall provide weekly scale totals and/or scale tickets along with a
weekly payment. All receipts for forest products along with proper documentation will be
forwarded the same day received to the Fish and Wildlife Service Finance Center. Any receipts,
that cannot be processed the same day received, will be stored in the Refuge Cashier’s safe until
processing can be completed. Presently, receipts for the sale of products of the land are
deposited into the Revenue Sharing account at the Finance Center. Other arrangements can only
be made in accordance with policy, regulations, and laws.
Refuges are authorized to enter into Timber for Land Exchanges. In this process, land within the
approved Refuge Acquisition Boundary may be purchased indirectly through exchange of
normal forest product sale volumes. Requirements for timber for land exchange sales are as
follows:
1.
Authority, which allows the Service to exchange timber for lands: National Wildlife
Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 USC 668dd-ee).
2.
Lands acquired must be located within the approved refuge acquisition boundary. No
Preliminary Project Proposal or any other studies are required. The merit of the acquisition is a
judgment call by the Refuge Manager.
3.
Forest management plans are followed, and no deviation from planned schedules should
be considered. No additional timber harvest is considered for the sole purpose of acquiring land.
4.
The land is conveyed to the United States in exchange for refuge timber or other refuge
products. The timber is transferred via Special Use Permit, much the same as a timber sale. If
timing requires the timber to be harvested prior to closing on the land, the permittee can make a
performance deposit equal to the value of the deed. That deposit is refunded upon completion of
the deed transfer.
5.
The Service receives compensation for the timber when the third party acquires the
subject property and conveys it to the United States.
6.
The value of the land to be acquired, and the timber exchanged should be approximately
equal or the value of the timber higher than the land. Any excess value of the timber can be
made as a payment to the Service for the difference.
7.
The Division of Realty will be responsible for land appraisals, title insurance,
reimbursement of relocation costs, and recording fees resulting from the conveyance of the
property to the United States. These miscellaneous costs will be paid from Division of Realty
funds.
1 PINE THINNING TIMBER SALE
NOXUBEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
PINE SAWTIMBER AND PINE PULPWOOD
COMPARTMENT 5 - SALE AREA 13-08- 67.1 ACRES
FORMAL BID INVITATION
Formal bids (sealed) will be received in the office of Refuge Manager Henry Sansing at
Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
2970 Bluff Lake Road
Brooksville, Mississippi 39739
until10 A.M., Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2008, for the sale of 232.0 MBF of pine sawtimber (Doyle
Rule) and 11.4 cords of pine pulpwood, contained in trees designated for harvesting on
67.1 acres in Compartment 5, Sale Area 13-08. The sale area is a thinning. The sale
area is a thinning and is located in Section 29, T16N, R14E, Winston County,
Mississippi (see attached maps).
NO.
ACRES UNIT
COLOR # OF
TREES 67.1 Blue 1,389 AVG
DBH
16.4
SAWTIMBER
MBF (Doyle) PULPWOOD
CORDS Pine Pine 232.0 11.4
An opportunity to inspect this timber will be given on Wednesday, Oct.1, 2008, at 10
A.M. Meet at refuge headquarters, and at that time, contract requirements and any
questions will be explained concerning the timber sale permit-agreement. All timber to
be cut is marked with blue paint and all marked trees are to be cut. Sale trees were 100
percent tallied by refuge staff, and the volumes were from the Two-dog program.
Bidders are urged to bid on the basis of their own cruise estimates.
THE SALE IS A PER TON BID.
The bid is to be on a price per ton basis for pine sawtimber. Wood yard scale
tickets will be used to determine what is owed the government. The scale tickets are to
be turned in to the government weekly and the contractor is to pay within ten days of
receiving a Bill for Collection from the Government. The contractor will also keep a log
book of the number of loads. The loads will be logged as the trucks leave the loading
deck and the log book will be available for inspection by the Refuge forester or
representative upon request. Pine top-wood and/or pulpwood tonnage prices will be
10 percent of the sawtimber bid price (example 50 dollars per ton bid for sawtimber
would pay 5 dollars per ton for top and/or pulp wood). All merchantable top-wood and
pulpwood must be merchandized from sale.
A ten dollar per inch, stump diameter, penalty will be assessed for unmarked trees that
are cut or severely damaged.
All bids must be securely sealed in a suitable envelope and plainly marked "TIMBER
BID - SALE AREA 13-08". The latter part of this invitation may be used as a bid form.
All tree tops and other logging debris will be pulled out of streams, roads,
roadside ditches, trails, firebreaks, and kept within the sale area. In cases where
cut trees fall in these areas, their tops will be removed immediately after felling.
Any tree that becomes lodged when cut shall be immediately rendered un-lodged and
felled flush to the ground.
Logging operations may be stopped by a refuge forester due to wet ground
conditions or violations of conditions applicable to timber harvesting permits.
No logging operations will be allowed on the sale area during the months of January,
February, and March.
A pre-entry conference between the refuge forester and the designated Permittee
representative will be a requirement before the purchaser starts logging operations.
The refuge forester will make arrangements with the Permittee for the meeting. The
purpose of the pre-entry conference is to be sure that the purchaser completely
understands what is expected of him, thus avoiding misunderstandings or serious
conflicts.
A performance guarantee/bid deposit of $2,500 in the form of a certified check
payable to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service must be submitted with the bid;
otherwise, the bid will not be accepted. The performance guarantee/bid deposits will
be returned to the unsuccessful bidders. The right to reject any and all bids is reserved
by the Government.
A special use permit will be prepared and submitted to the successful bidder for his
acceptance and signature. Details of the special use permit are available from the
refuge manager.
The performance guarantee/bid deposit of the successful bidder will be retained by the
Government to cover any damages or claims the Government may have against the
Permittee under the terms and conditions of the permit. The balance, if any, will be
returned to the Permittee upon satisfactory completion of the operation.
All secondary logging roads and trails, and all truck loading and log landing areas
needed to log the sale area will be located only with the approval of a refuge forester.
All fill material (dirt, logs, tops and /or brush) used to cross small drains and ditches
while skidding or hauling shall be removed immediately following logging operations.
2 The sale area boundary is marked with pink harvest boundary flagging tape and
red paint.
All piled debris on the log landings and in the sale area will be scattered. All log
landings, main skidder trails and temporary log roads will be disked or plowed in
such a manner as to break up traffic compaction of the soil (usually 4 to 8
inches). After September 1st and following logging operations all log landings,
main skidder trails and temporary log roads will be disked, seeded and fertilized.
The Permittee will sow 100 lbs to the acre of a winter wildlife grass mix. The
fertilizer rate is 200 lbs of 13-13-13 per acre.
Littering is unlawful. The entire work area must be kept free of all forms of litter at all
times.
Each bidder is urged to classify his operations and ownership or control of necessary
equipment to carry out the sale. This information is useful to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and to the Small Business Administration, but failure of the bidder to complete
this inquiry will not invalidate his bid.
If adjudged the successful applicant, the undersigned bidder agrees to sign a special
use permit and agree to the terms of this bid invitation. The successful applicant will
have until November 20, 2009 to remove all timber. An extension may be granted if the
weather creates a hardship.
3 ****************************************************************************** B I D SALE AREA 13-­‐08 Pine Sawtimber Dollars/ton bid of $$ _______________/Ton for Sale 13-­‐08 Pine Top-­‐wood/pulp = one tenth Pine Sawtimber Bid (above) Date Name and Address of Bidder _________________________ _________________________ _________________________ Tax ID # _________________________ Privacy Statement - The information that you provide is voluntary; however submission of requested information is
required to evaluate the qualifications, determine eligibility, and document bid applicant. It is our policy not to use your
name for any other purpose. The information is maintained in accordance with the Privacy Act. All information you
provide will be considered in reviewing your bid.
4 5 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Fish and Wildlife Service
CERTIFICATE OF INDEPENDENT PRICE DETERMINATION
(101-45.4926 Fed. Prop. Mgt. Reg.)
(a) By submission of this bid or proposal, each bidder or offeror certifies, and in the case of a joint
bid or proposal, each party thereto certifies as to its own organization, that in connection with this
sale:
(1) The prices in this bid or proposal have been arrived at independently, without
consultation, communication, or agreement, for this purpose of restricting competition, as to
any matter relating to such prices, with any other bidder or offeror or with any competitor;
(2) Unless otherwise required by law, the prices which have been quoted in this bid or
proposal have not been knowingly disclosed by the bidder or offeror and will not knowingly
be disclosed by the bidder or offeror prior to opening, in the case of a bid, or prior to award,
in the case of a proposal, directly or indirectly to any other bidder or offeror or to any
competitor; and
(3) No attempt has been made or will be made by the bidder or offeror to induce any other
person or firm to submit or not to submit a bid or proposal for the purpose of restricting
competition.
(b) Each person signing this bid or proposal certifies that:
(1) He is the person in the bidder's or offeror's organization responsible within that
organization for the decision as to the prices being bid or offered herein and that he has not
participated, and will not participate, in any action contrary to (a)(1) through (a)(3), above; or
(2)
(i) He is not the person in the bidder's or offeror's organization responsible within that
organization for the decision as to the prices being bid or offered herein but that he
has been authorized in writing to act as agent for the persons responsible for such
decision in certifying that such persons have not participated, and will not participate,
in any action contrary to (a)(1) through (a)(3), above, and as their agent does hereby
so certify; and
(ii) He has not participated, and will not participated, in any action contrary to (a)(1)
through (a)(3), above.
(c) This certification is not applicable to a foreign bidder or offeror submitting a bid or proposal for a
contract which requires performance or delivery outside the United States, its possessions, and
Puerto Rico.
(d) A bid or proposal will not be considered for award where (a)(1), (a)(3), or (b), above, has been
deleted or modified. Where (a)(2), above, has been deleted or modified, the bid or proposal will not
be considered for award unless the bidder or offeror furnishes with the bid or proposal a signed
statement which sets forth in detail the circumstance of the disclosure and the head of the agency,
or his designee, determines that such disclosure was not made for the purpose of restricting
competition. 6 NOXUBEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Brooksville, Mississippi
CONDITIONS APPLICABLE TO TIMBER HARVESTING PERMITS
Only marked or designated timber or other material shall be cut from the area described herein,
whether or not the quantity or such timber or material is more or less than the estimates.
All stumps shall be cut to cause the least possible waste and not higher than the maximum specified
by the refuge officer in charge, measuring on the side adjacent to the highest ground. All material
shall be utilized to the minimum diameter specified by the refuge officer in charge or to as low a
diameter in the tops as practicable. A guarantee deposit shall be made in an amount determined by
the issuing officer to insure the full and faithful performance of all terms and conditions of this permit
and the payment of all charges due and payable hereunder. Any unencumbered balance shall be
refunded to the Permittee upon the completion of the operations authorized herein. Title to timber
included in this sale shall vest in the Permittee when felled, subject to a lien on behalf of the
Government for all unpaid charges; provided that no timber products may be removed from the
refuge until paid for in full.
Timber shall be scaled by the International log rule unless otherwise provided herein, and if
measurement is to be made after felling, the logs shall be placed for scaling by the Permittee as
instructed by the refuge officer in charge.
The Permittee and his employees will do all in their power to prevent and suppress forest fires; shall
dispose of the slash and other refuse as instructed by the refuge officer in charge; shall pay the
United States for any unnecessary damage resulting from the operations herein permitted; and shall
also repair all damages to roads, trails, fences, ditches, and telephone lines resulting from
operations conducted hereunder except as otherwise provided herein.
Except as may otherwise be allowed by State or Federal law, unmarked or undesignated live trees
which are cut or injured through carelessness, or killed by fires which the Permittee, is employees,
contractors, or employees of contractor caused, or the origin or spread of which he or they could
have prevented, shall be paid for at double the prevailing local commercial rate; provided, that such
payment shall not release the Permittee from liability to the United States for any damage other than
the value of said trees.
The penalties herein specified shall be regarded as liquidated damages and may be waived in the
discretion of the refuge officer in charge in accidental or exceptional cases which involve small
amounts of material. Any timber cut and not removed from the permit area at the expiration or
termination of this permit, for which payment as herein specified has been made to the United
States, may be removed within 90 days from such date of expiration; unless so removed, ownership
of such timber shall revert to the United States.
The decision of the Regional Director, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, shall be final in the
interpretation of the regulations and provisions governing the sale, cutting, and removal of the timber
covered by this permit. 7 EQUAL OPPORTUNITY (FAR 52.222-26) (APR 1984)
(a) If, during any 12-month period (including the 12 months preceding the award of this contract),
the Contractor has been or is awarded non-exempt Federal contracts and/or subcontracts that have
an aggregate value in excess of $10,000, the Contractor shall comply with subparagraphs (b)(1)
through (11) below. Upon request, the Contractor shall provide information necessary to determine
the applicability of this clause.
(b) During performing this contract, the Contractor agrees as follows:
(1) The Contractor shall not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment
because of race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
(2) The Contractor shall take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and
that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, color,
religion, sex or national origin. This shall include, but not be limited to (i) employment,
(ii) upgrading, (iii) demotion, (iv) transfer, (v) recruitment or recruitment advertising,
(vi) layoff or termination, (vii) rates of pay or other forms of compensation, and (viii)
selection for training, including apprenticeship.
(3) The Contractor shall post in conspicuous places available to employees and applicants
for employment the notices to be provided by the Contracting officer that explain this clause.
(4) The Contractor shall, in all solicitations or advertisement for employees placed by or on
behalf of the Contractor, state that all qualified applicants will receive consideration for
employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex or national origin.
(5) The Contractor shall send, to each labor union or representative of workers with which it
has a collective bargaining agreement or other contract or understanding, the notice to be
provided by the Contracting Officer advising the labor union or workers' representative of the
Contractor's commitments under this clause, and post copies of the notice in conspicuous
places available to employees and applicants for employment.
(6) The Contractor shall comply with Executive Order 11246, as amended, and the rules,
regulations, and orders of the Secretary of Labor.
(7) The Contractor shall furnish to the contracting agency all information required by
Executive Order 11246, as amended, and by the rules, regulations, and orders of the
Secretary of Labor. Standard Form 100 (EEO-1), or any successor form, is the prescribed
form to be filed within 30 days following the award, unless filed within 12 months preceding
the date of award.
(8) The Contractor shall permit access to its books, records, and accounts by the
contracting agency or the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) for the
purposes of investigation to ascertain the Contractor's compliance with the applicable rules,
regulations, and orders.
(9) If the OFCCP determines that the Contractor is not in compliance with this clause or any
rule, regulation, or order of the Secretary of Labor, this contract may be canceled,
terminated, or suspended in whole or in part and the Contractor may be declared ineligible
for further Government contracts, under the procedures authorized in Executive Order
11246, as amended. In addition, sanctions may be imposed and remedies invoked against
the Contractor as provided in Executive Order 11246, as amended, the rules, regulations,
and orders of the Secretary of Labor, or as otherwise provided by law.
8 (10) The Contractor shall include the terms and conditions of subparagraph (b)(1) through
(11) of this clause in every subcontract or purchase order that is not exempted by the rules,
regulations or orders of the Secretary of Labor issued under Exec. Order 11246, as
amended, so that these terms and conditions will be binding upon each subcontractor or
vendor.
(11) The Contractor shall take such action with respect to any subcontract or purchase
order as the contracting agency may direct as a means of enforcing these terms and
conditions, including sanctions for noncompliance, provided, that if the Contractor becomes
involved in, or is threatened with, litigation with a subcontractor or vendor as a result of any
direction, the Contractor may request the United States to enter into the litigation to protect
the interests of the United States.
(c) Not withstanding, any other clause in this contract, disputes relative to this clause will be
governed by the procedures in 41 CFR 60-1.1.
9 Stand and Stock Table Sale 13-08
DBH # trees Volume Pulpwood Cords 6 66 2.7 8 100 8.8 Total 166 11.4 Sawtimber MBF 10 166 2.3 12 125 4.9 14 152 11.5 16 226 31.8 18 200 42.3 20 131 37.4 22 120 45.9 24 70 33.9 26 20 11.7 28 6 4.0 30 5 3.8 32 2 2.4 Total 1,223 232.0 Unanticipated Site Discovery Plan (Archaeological and Historic Sites)
Past archaeological investigations on Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge have been sporadic and driven
primarily by Section 106 compliance. As of this date, 69 archaeological sites have been recorded. Site
types range from isolated finds, specialized activity/extractive sites, habitation sites, mound complexes,
historic hunting/fishing camps, industrial sites (sawmills, landings, crossings), historic farms, churches,
cemeteries, and commercial businesses, such as stores. Previously unrecorded cultural resources are
occasionally discovered during the course of Refuge management activities, such as thinning, and the
maintenance of fire breaks and fire suppression. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has adopted the
following plan for the treatment of such resources.
Should previously unrecorded cultural resources be encountered during the thinning and/or other Refuge
management activities, the Refuge will cease all activities at that specific location and make all
reasonable efforts to avoid or minimize damage to the site. The Office of the Regional Archaeologist will
be immediately notified and advised of the nature of the discovery. The Regional Archaeologist may
request specific items, such as photographs, a physical description of the remains, and a map(s) depicting
the site’s location, to be submitted to his office. Upon review of this information, the Regional
Archaeologist will:
•
•
•
Provide technical advice and assistance for an assessment of the site. Such assistance may consist
of, but is not limited to, an archaeological survey which further delineates the site’s parameters,
ascertain the presence or absence of intact cultural deposits, determine the site’s periods of
occupations, and assess the site’s significance and potential for future research.
Submit a completed site form to the State Site Registrar at the Mississippi Department of
Archives and History.
Recommend ways to protect the site when future management activities occur within or near the
site.
Should human remains be encountered in an unmarked grave during Refuge management activities or
permitted activities, such as commercial thinning, all actions will cease at that specific location. The
Regional Archaeologist and the Refuge Law Enforcement Officer will be contacted immediately. The
Mississippi Department of Archives and History, the County Medical Examiner, the Chickasaw Nation,
the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, the Jena Band of Choctaw, and the Mississippi Band of Choctaws will
be notified pursuant to the provisions of the Native American Grave Protection and Repatriation Act.
Representatives from the Mississippi Department of Archives and History and the Office of the Regional
Archaeologist will provide technical advice for the treatment of the unmarked burial, which may include,
but is not limited to, the development and implementation of a site treatment plan to protect the burial
location during future management actions, an assessment of site damage, and analysis and subsequent
disposition of any recovered human skeletal remains. Should the human remains be deemed part of a
crime scene, then jurisdiction and control will be turned over to the pertinent federal, state, and local law
enforcement agencies.
Notice to Customers
Making Payment by Check
Authorization to Convert Your Check: If you send us a check, it will be
converted into an electronic fund transfer (EFT). This means we will copy
your check and use the account information on it to electronically debit
your account for the amount of the check.
Insufficient Funds: The debit from your account will usually occur within
24 hours from receipt at our processing office, and will be shown on your
regular statement. You will not receive your original check back. We will
destroy your original check, but we will keep the copy of it. If the EFT
cannot be processed for technical reasons, you authorize us to process the
copy in place of your original check. If the EFT cannot be completed
because of insufficient funds, we may try to make the transfer up to 2 times
and may charge you a one-time fee which will also be collected by
electronic funds transfer.
Privacy Act – A Privacy Act Statement required by 5 U.S.C. § 552a(e)(3) stating our authority
for soliciting and collecting the information from your check, and explaining the purposes and
routine uses which will be made of your check information, is available from our internet site at
https://www.pccotc.gov/pccotc/index.htm, or call toll free at 1-800-624-1373 to obtain a copy
by mail. Furnishing the check information is voluntary, but a decision not to do so may require
you to make payment by some other method.
NOXUBEE NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
FOREST HABITAT MANAGEMENT
ANNUAL COMPARTMENT PRESCRIPTIONS
SCHEDULE OPERATIONS - FISCAL YEARS 2008 and 2009
COMPARTMENTS 5 and 26
Submitted by:
Approved:
Administrative Forester
Region 4 Archeologist/Date
_
Refuge Manager/Date
Chief of Habitat Management/Date
___________________________
Refuge Supervisor Area II/Date
CONTENTS
Page
I.
Introduction
3
II.
Location Map (Figure 1)
4
III.
Prescription - Compartment 5
Stand Table Summary (Table 1)
Compartment 5 Stand Map (Figure 2)
Compartment 5 Treatment and RCW Foraging Map (Figure 3)
5
7
9
10
IV.
Prescription - Compartment 26
Stand Table Summary (Table 2)
Compartment 26 Stand Map (Figure 4)
Compartment 16 Treatment and RCW Foraging Map (Figure 5)
11
13
14
15
3
I.
INTRODUCTION
As per the Forest Habitat Management Plan for Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge,
Compartments 5 and 26 were entered during 2006 to conduct stand level inventory and
develop habitat management prescriptions. Refuge forestry staff conducted a point-cruise
using a ten BA factor prism to estimate stand composition and structure of the overstory
vegetation. Systematically located plots were located on grid which varied according to
stand size and configuration. In general, a grid of 10 chains x 10 chains (1 plot/10 acres) was
taken with slightly more plots taken on small stands to adequately estimate the stand
parameters. Estimates of stand metrics were derived from the software package Two Dog
Forest Inventory. Stand inventory from 1996 was also examined to better evaluate stand
growth (BA), tree density, and past silvicultural operations within each compartment.
Stands within each compartment had previously been digitized into the Refuge’s GIS system
through aerial photographs based on major forest type classifications: pine, pine-hardwood,
upland hardwood, etc. Delineation of stands was based on vegetation type, tree age,
prescribed fire unit boundaries, and other biological and political barriers that created
obvious boundaries. Stands are continually being updated to match fire lines, burn units, and
regeneration areas through ground truthing, GPS technology, and photo-interpretation of upto-date aerial photography. However, homogeneity in basal area across the stand may be
lacking due to past management practices.
Forest habitat management goals are primarily focused on retention of the existing forest
types. Pine types will be managed in such a manner to meet long-term nesting and foraging
habitat for the red-cockaded woodpecker (RCW) as outlined in the RCW Recovery Plan and
the Noxubee NWR RCW management plan. Principally, this will be to develop even-aged
stands of varying age-classes resulting in a fully regulated forest. Age classes will range
from 0 to 100+ years with approximately 10% in each class. In the interim, it will be
necessary to exceed the 10% regeneration target and approach 15% to prevent stand
collapses caused by average loblolly pine stand ages greater than 120 years. When possible,
shortleaf pine will be favored on xeric sites to restore the vegetation towards a more
appropriate pine species. Prescribed fire will be used in all compartments periodically
according to the Noxubee NWR prescribed fire management plan.
All forest harvesting operations will follow the guideline recommendations proposed by the
1995 “Mississippi’s Best Management Practices Handbook” for stream side management
zones, the removal of debris from drainages, and rehab of temporary logging roads, skid
trails, and loading ramps by disking to reduce soil compaction. Cover grasses will be planted
in late summer/fall following harvest as part of the rehab work to minimize erosion.
A copy of these prescriptions has been forwarded to the USFWS Ecological Services Office,
Jackson, Mississippi, for Intra-Service Section 7 review concerning the red-cockaded
woodpecker. No other threatened or endangered species are known or thought to occur
within the project area.
4
II. Location Map
Figure1: Location of Compartment 5, Winston County and Compartment 26,
Oktibbeha County, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge.
5
III.
PRESCRIPTION - COMPARTMENT 5
Location
Compartment 5 is located in the south west portion of the Refuge in Winston County.
Compartment 5 is bounded on the north by the Louisville-Bluff Lake Road, on the east by
Loakfoma Road, and on the west by the Old Little Yellow Creek Road (Figure 2).
Description
Compartment 5 consists of 1,933 acres. The major vegetative cover types and acreage are:
TYPES
Pine
Pine HWD
Upland HWD
Total
ACRES
1,255
230
448
1,933
The compartment is in the transition zone between the interior flatwoods and the upper
coastal plateau Mississippi physiographic regions. The topography elevation changes from
the upper 200’s on the east side of the compartment to the low 500’s on the west side. The
topography is generally flat on the east side and relatively steep slopes on the west side. This
compartment is primarily composed of older age class pine stands (SAF Type 81 - Loblolly
Pine and SAF Type 80 – Loblolly Pine—Shortleaf Pine), pine hardwood stands (SAF Type
82 - Loblolly Pine Hardwood), and upland hardwood stands (SAF Type 52 –White Oak Black Oak - Northern Red Oak).
Past management has consisted of seed-tree regeneration cuts, improvement cuts, release
cuts, TSI of hardwoods, salvage cuts, post thinning, and prescribed fire.
Inventory Data
A point-cruise was conducted during the spring of 2005. The estimated volumes for
Compartment 5 are:
Pine Saw Timber
Pine Pulpwood
Hardwood Saw Timber
Hardwood Pulpwood
20,199
1,705
5,353
5,562
MBF
Cords
MBF
Cords
A summary stand table for Compartment 5 is included (Table 1).
6
Endangered Species
The only endangered species within or adjacent to the compartment is the red-cockaded
woodpecker. One inactive recruitment RCW cluster (108) is located in Compartment 5. The
goal for this compartment is 5 clusters. No active or inactive clusters adjoining
Compartment 5 have foraging habitat that overlaps into the compartment. Silvicultural
treatments are planned only within the one-half mile foraging range of RCW cluster 108.
Foraging habitat analyses for the preceding cluster is provided with the prescription
(Appendix A).
The following silvicultural treatments will have beneficial effects and no adverse impacts on
T&E species.
Silvicultural Treatments
Based on management objectives outlined in Noxubee’s CCP, habitat conditions, basal area
(BA), age class distribution, size class distribution, and species composition, the following
stands have these silvicultural treatments prescribed:
Estimated
Timber Removal
Pine
HWD
Percent Total
Stand #
Treatment
Acres
MBF
Cords
MBF
Cords
BA Removed
1
Seed Tree(2)
66.8
1,131
87
-
33
92
1
Shelterwood
84.6
950
111
-
42
61
1
Thin
183.9
1,354
239
-
92
40
14
Seed Tree
34.5
577
14
-
7
92
19
Seed Tree
27.5
405
77
-
30
92
19
Thin
43.8
280
123
-
-
40
20
Thin
19.0
150
6
-
-
38
23
Thin
126.8
530
101
-
-
25
Pine Stands Silvicultural Treatments Objective A.1
To ensure regeneration as per Noxubee’s CCP (Strategy A.1.2) 129 acres, approximately
10% of the total pine type in the compartment, in Stands 1, 14, and 19 will be regenerated
using the seed-tree method. A shelterwood harvest of 84.6 acres in Stand 1 for regeneration
and thinning (Strategies A.1.2 and A.1.3) with the use of prescribed fire two years after
harvest will convert the new stand to a more historically shortleaf pine stand. Pine thinning of
373 acres is necessary in Stands 1, 19, 20, and 23 because all the pine stands have a pine BA
equal to or greater than 100. The stands will be thinned to 70-80 BA (Strategy A.1.3) to
maintain vigor and reduce the risk of Southern Pine Beetle (SPB) attack. Shortleaf pine will
be the favored leave trees in the thinning areas.
7
Table 1. Stand inventory estimates based on point-cruise data collected during 2006 on all stands within Compartment 5, Noxubee NWR.
Stand #
Date
Cruised
Pine
Vol/ac.
Pine
pulpwd
Pine
BA/ac
HWD
Vol/ac
HWD
pulpwd
HWD
BA/ac
Acres
Age
P/HWD
Total
BA/ac
Type/
Treatment
1
18,412
1.3
115
1,156
.5
12
598
55
127
P
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
16
16
-
P REGEN
3
0
0
0
0
0
0
22
16
-
P REGEN
4
2-11-05
2,691
.2
14
4,445
5.6
59
32
-
73
UH
5
2-4-05
764
0
4
6,798
5.4
74
11
-
78
UH
6
2-4-05
10,319
.4
62
156
1.7
8
22
74
70
P
7
0
0
0
0
0
0
24
16
0
P REGEN
8
10,074
2.2
74
2,092
.1
19
120
58
93
P
9
2-4-05
2,177
.2
13
4,834
5.2
61
24
58
74
UH
10
3-17-05
1,130
1.0
12
3,778
17.8
98
192
60
110
UH
11
0
0
0
0
0
0
40
8
0
P REGEN
12
2,827
.3
18
8,010
2.4
80
81
49
98
UH
13
6,583
.2
41
6,577
2.2
67
76
60
108
PH
14
18,196
.4
100
614
.2
7
40
77
107
P
9,516
.5
60
623
4.6
23
43
61
83
P
15
1-16-05
8
Stand #
16
Date
Cruised
Pine
pulpwd
Pine
BA/ac
HWD
Vol/ac
HWD
pulpwd
HWD
BA/ac
Acres
Age
P/HWD
Total
BA/ac
Type/
Treatment
4,159
-
24
4,722
5.7
61
33
59
85
PH
17
4,857
.1
26
6,638
2.9
68
78
64
94
PH
18
2,887
-
16
9,795
3.2
91
63
62
107
UH
16,007
2.8
115
314
1.1
8
78
47
123
P
20
20,831
.3
113
1,572
.6
17
27
63
130
P
21
0
0
0
0
0
0
22
18
0
P REGEN
22
4,673
.1
27
7,652
1.9
79
44
60
106
UH
23
16,709
.8
99
538
.2
6
124
57
105
P
24
13,490
1.2
90
1,730
.2
18
27
57
108
P
25
8,278
.1
44
7824
.9
66
43
59
110
PH
26
0
0
0
0
0
0
50
7
0
P REGEN
19
1-14-05
Pine
Vol/ac.
1-14-05
9
Figure 2. Stand boundaries and habitat types of Compartment 5, Noxubee National Wildlife
Refuge, Winston Co., MS based on inventory during 2006.
10
Figure 3. Recommended silviculture treatments within Compartment 5, Noxubee NWR
based on the stand inventory of 2006.
11
IV.
PRESCRIPTION - COMPARTMENT 26
Location
Compartment 26 is located in the north-west portion of the Refuge, in Oktibbeha County,
Mississippi. It is bounded on the south by the Craig Road, on the east and west by the
Refuge boundary, and on the north by a Refuge permanent firebreak separating it from
Compartment 27.
Description
Compartment 26 consists of 1,481 acres. The major vegetative cover types and acreage are:
TYPE
Pine
Pine HWD
Bottomland HWD
Total
ACRES
701
651
129
1,481
The compartment is in the interior flatwoods Mississippi physiographic region. The
topography is generally flat. This compartment is primarily composed of older age class pine
stands (SAF Type 81 - Loblolly Pine), pine hardwood stands (SAF Type 82 - Loblolly Pine
Hardwood), and a bottomland hardwood stand (SAF Type 92 - Sweetgum - Willow Oak),
Chinchahoma Creek transects the lower one third of the compartment. The Craig pond, eight
acres, is located on the east side of the compartment along the Craig Road.
Past Refuge forest management consisted of seed tree regeneration cuts, improvement cuts,
release cuts, TSI of hardwoods, salvage cuts, firewood cuts, shearing of hardwoods, and
prescribed fire.
Inventory Data
A point-cruise was conducted during the spring of 2006. The estimated volumes for
Compartment 26 are:
Pine Saw Timber
Pine Pulpwood
Hardwood Saw Timber
Hardwood Pulpwood
11,591
2,828
2,225
10,517
A stand table for Compartment 26 is included (Table 2).
MBF
Cords
MBF
Cords
12
Endangered Species
The only endangered or threatened species within the project area is the RCW. There is one
active RCW cluster site (129), one inactive cluster sites (92), and an unoccupied recruitment
site (128) located within Compartment 26. Two active clusters (54 and 90) and two inactive
clusters (91 and 101) are on the north side of the compartment. Another active cluster (60)
adjoins the south side of the compartment. The seed-tree treatments are within Stand 1.
Clusters 54, 90, 91, 101 and 129 are within one-half mile of the proposed treatments.
Foraging habitat analyses for the preceding clusters are provided with the prescription
(Appendix A). Additionally inactive cluster 128 had an analysis because of the tightness
with cluster 129. This analysis led to the portioning of 30 acres which would have been
assigned to both clusters to be assigned to128. The following silvicultural treatments will
have beneficial effects and no long-term adverse impacts on threatened and endangered
species. The goal for the compartment is to provide habitat for 3 clusters. Although cluster
128 has been previously identified as a recruitment cluster, it will likely be abandoned for
future management because of habitat limitations with cluster 129. A new recruitment
cluster will be partitioned 200-300 yard north of cluster 129 within stand 1.
Silvicultural Treatments
Based on habitat conditions, basal area (BA), age class distribution, size class distribution,
and species composition, the following stand has the below silvicultural treatment prescribed:
See Figure 5 for location.
Estimated
Timber Removal
Pine
HWD
Percent Total
Stand #
Treatment
Acres
MBF
Cords
MBF
Cords
BA Removed
1
Seed Tree(2)
81.7
795.2
204
-
457
92
Pine Stands Silvicultural Treatments Objective A.1
To ensure regeneration as per Noxubee’s CCP (Strategy A1.2) 81.7 acres, approximately
10% of the total pine type in the compartment, in Stand 1 will be regenerated using the seedtree method.
13
Table: 2. Stand inventory estimates based on point-cruise data collected during 2006 on all stands within Compartment 26, Noxubee NWR.
Stand #
Date
Cruised
Pine
Vol/ac.
Pine
pulpwd
Pine
BA/ac
HWD
Vol/ac
HWD
pulpwd
HWD
BA/ac
Acres
Age
P/HWD
Total
BA/ac
Type/
Treatment
1
3-15-05
9,733
2.5
67
754
5.6
28
394
55
95
P
2
-
4,476
.7
29
2,622
8.1
52
60
60
81
PH
3
3-14-05
10,809
.8
64
134
1.8
8
21
58
72
P
4
3-14-05
12,551
1.4
78
569
4.0
21
39
56
99
P
5
3-8-05
3,340
.1
16
5,355
11.8
83
129
74
99
BH
6
3-8-05
7,845
2.5
50
1,490
9.1
48
100
68
98
PH
7
-
11,725
.7
66
1,506
7.0
39
72
58
105
P
8
-
9,909
.7
55
412
3.3
16
113
63
71
P
9
3-14-05
4970
1.4
38
3,473
8.3
60
89
60
98
PH
10
3-15-05
9,598
3.5
76
303
5.6
24
36
59
100
P
11
3-9-05
7,366
1.2
43
2,316
8.7
53
308
62
96
PH
12
3-10-05
5,635
1.3
36
3,150
8.6
62
72
67
98
PH
13
3-9-05
6,212
.1
32
4091
5.6
52
23
68
84
PH
14
-
0
0
0
0
0
0
27
10
0
P REGEN
15
14
Figure 4. Stand boundaries and habitat types of Compartment 26, Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge, Winston Co., MS based on inventory
during 2006.
15
Figure 5. Recommended silviculture treatments within Compartment 26, Noxubee NWR based on the stand inventory of 2006.
16
Appendix A
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT ANALYSIS
DATA SOURCE: STAND SAMPLING
CLUSTER NUMBER:
STAND
NO
FOREST
TYPE
DATE COMPILED: 02-08-08
COMPILER(S): R. SMITH
54
PRE
HARVEST
ACRES
POST
HARVEST
ACRES
STAND
AGE
PRE
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
POST
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
PRE
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
POST
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
27-7
Pine
130.4
130.4
61
57
57
7,433
7,433
43
43
5,607
5,607
27-9
Pine
35.5
35.5
59
60
60
2,130
2,130
53
53
1,882
1,882
26-1
Pine
35.0
20.9
56
67
67
2,345
1,400
48
48
1,680
1,003
26-10
Pine
11.6
11.6
60
76
76
882
882
62
62
719
719
TOTAL
XXXX
212.5
198.4
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
12,790
11,845
XXXX
XXXX
9,888
9,211
Project may affect cluster 54 based on ½ mile foraging analysis and cluster 129 ½ mile foraging analysis partitions as defined in the Guidelines for Preparation
of an Environmental Assessment for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Post project requirements included at least 50 acres of pine >60 years old, 8490 square feet of
pine trees, and 6350 pine stems >10 inch DBH.
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT ANALYSIS
DATA SOURCE: STAND SAMPLING
CLUSTER NUMBER:
STAND
NO
FOREST
TYPE
DATE COMPILED: 02-08-08
COMPILER(S): R. SMITH
90
PRE
HARVEST
ACRES
POST
HARVEST
ACRES
STAND
AGE
PRE
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
POST
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
PRE
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
POST
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
27-7
Pine
36.5
32.2
71
57
57
2,080
1,835
43
43
1,570
1,385
27.9
Pine
4.3
4.3
62
60
60
258
258
53
53
228
228
27-11
Pine
17.6
14.3
74
55
55
968
786
41
41
751
586
27-16
Pine
87.6
87.6
85
50
50
4,380
4,380
35
35
3,066
3,066
27-17
Pine
24
24
66
100
100
2,400
2,400
71
71
1,704
1,704
26-1
Pine
26.8
.2
56
67
67
1,796
13
48
48
1,286
10
26-4
Pine
19.3
19.3
57
78
78
1,505
1,505
55
55
1,062
1,062
26-10
Pine
6.6
6.6
60
76
76
502
502
62
62
409
409
TOTAL
XXXX
222.7
188.5
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
13,889
11,679
XXXX
XXXX
10,076
8,450
Project affects only cluster 90 based on ½ mile foraging analysis as defined in the Guidelines for Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for Red-cockaded
Woodpeckers. Post project requirements included at least 50 acres of pine >60 years old, 8490 square feet of pine trees, and 6350 pine stems >10 inch DBH.
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT ANALYSIS
DATA SOURCE: STAND SAMPLING
CLUSTER NUMBER:
STAND
NO
FOREST
TYPE
DATE COMPILED: 02-08-08
COMPILER(S): R. SMITH
91
PRE
HARVEST
ACRES
POST
HARVEST
ACRES
STAND
AGE
PRE
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
POST
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
PRE
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
POST
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
27-7
Pine
107.5
95.8
71
57
57
6,128
5,461
43
43
4,622
4,119
27-9
Pine
39.8
39.8
62
60
60
2,388
2,388
53
53
2,109
2,109
27-8
Pine
13.7
13.7
64
76
76
1,041
1,041
53
53
726
726
26-1
Pine
35.9
13
56
67
67
2,405
871
48
48
1,723
624
26-10
Pine
17.4
17.4
60
76
76
1,322
1,322
62
62
1,079
1,079
TOTAL
XXXX
214.3
179.7
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
13,284
11,083
XXXX
XXXX
10,259
8,657
Project affects only cluster 91 based on ½ mile foraging analysis as defined in the Guidelines for Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for Red-cockaded
Woodpeckers. Post project requirements included at least 50 acres of pine >60 years old, 8490 square feet of pine trees, and 6350 pine stems >10 inch DBH.
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT ANALYSIS
DATA SOURCE: STAND SAMPLING
CLUSTER NUMBER:
STAND
NO
FOREST
TYPE
DATE COMPILED: 02-08-08
COMPILER(S): R. SMITH
101
PRE
HARVEST
ACRES
POST
HARVEST
ACRES
STAND
AGE
PRE
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
POST
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
PRE
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
POST
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
27-10
Pine
7.8
7.8
67
50
50
390
390
39
39
304
304
27-11
Pine
63.9
56.0
74
55
55
3,514
3,080
41
41
2,620
2,296
27-16
Pine
60.8
60.8
85
50
50
3,040
3,040
35
35
2,128
2,128
26-7
Pine
65.0
65.0
58
66
66
4,290
4,290
41
41
2,665
2,665
TOTAL
XXXX
197.5
189.6
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
11,234
10,800
XXXX
XXXX
7,717
7,393
Project affects only cluster 101 based on ½ mile foraging analysis as defined in the Guidelines for Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for Redcockaded Woodpeckers. Post project requirements included at least 50 acres of pine >60 years old, 8490 square feet of pine trees, and 6350 pine stems >10 inch
DBH.
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT ANALYSIS
DATA SOURCE: STAND SAMPLING
CLUSTER NUMBER:
STAND
NO
FOREST
TYPE
DATE COMPILED: 10-11-07
COMPILER(S): R. SMITH
108
PRE
HARVEST
ACRES
POST
HARVEST
ACRES
STAND
AGE
PRE
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
POST
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
PRE
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
POST
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
5-1
Pine
110.5
110.5
63
115
80
12,707
8,840
89
51
9,834
5,635
5-1
Pine
50.8
50.8
63
115
115
5,842
5,842
89
89
4,521
4,521
TOTAL
XXXX
161.3
161.3
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
18,549
14,682
XXXX
XXXX
14,355
10,156
Project affects only cluster 108 based on ½ mile foraging analysis as defined in the Guidelines for Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for Redcockaded Woodpeckers. Post project requirements included at least 50 acres of pine >60 years old, 8,490 square feet of pine trees, and 6,350 pine stems >10
inch DBH.
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT ANALYSIS
DATA SOURCE: STAND SAMPLING
CLUSTER NUMBER:
STAND
NO
FOREST
TYPE
DATE COMPILED: 02-08-08
COMPILER(S): R. SMITH
128
PRE
HARVEST
ACRES
POST
HARVEST
ACRES
STAND
AGE
PRE
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
POST
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
PRE
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
POST
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
26-1
Pine
120.7
120.7
56
67
67
8,087
8,087
48
48
5,794
5,794
26-2
Pine/HWD
40.5
40.5
61
29
29
1,169
1,169
19
19
769
769
TOTAL
XXXX
161.2
161.2
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
9,256
9,256
XXXX
XXXX
6,563
6,563
Project may affect cluster 128 based on ½ mile foraging analysis and cluster 129 ½ mile foraging analysis partitions as defined in the Guidelines for Preparation
of an Environmental Assessment for Red-cockaded Woodpeckers. Post project requirements included at least 50 acres of pine >60 years old, 8490 square feet of
pine trees, and 6350 pine stems >10 inch DBH.
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER HABITAT ANALYSIS
DATA SOURCE: STAND SAMPLING
CLUSTER NUMBER:
STAND
NO
FOREST
TYPE
DATE COMPILED: 02-08-08
COMPILER(S): R. SMITH
129
PRE
HARVEST
ACRES
POST
HARVEST
ACRES
STAND
AGE
PRE
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
POST
HARVEST
PINE
BA/ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
PINE
BASAL
AREA
PRE
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
POST
HARVEST
10-INCH
PINE STEMS
PER ACRE
PRE
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
POST
HARVEST
TOTAL
10-INCH
STEMS
26-1
Pine
152.7
151.8
56
67
67
10,231
10,171
48
48
7,330
7,286
TOTAL
XXXX
197.5
189.6
XXXX
XXXX
XXXX
11,234
10,800
XXXX
XXXX
7,717
7,393
Project affects only cluster 129 based on ½ mile foraging analysis as defined in the Guidelines for Preparation of an Environmental Assessment for Redcockaded Woodpeckers. Post project requirements included at least 50 acres of pine >60 years old, 8490 square feet of pine trees, and 6350 pine stems >10 inch
DBH.
REGION 4
INTRA-SERVICE SECTION 7 BIOLOGICAL EVALUATION FORM
[Note: This form provides the outline of information needed for intra-Service consultation. If additional space is needed, attach
additional sheets, or set up this form to accommodate your responses.]
Originating Person: Henry Sansing
Telephone Number: 662-323-5548
Date: July 15, 2008
E-Mail: [email protected]
PROJECT NAME (Grant Title/Number): Forest Management Prescriptions FY 2008-09
____________________________________________________________________________
I.
Service Program:
___ Ecological Services
___ Federal Aid
___ Clean Vessel Act
___ Coastal Wetlands
___ Endangered Species Section 6
___ Partners for Fish and Wildlife
___ Sport Fish Restoration
___ Wildlife Restoration
___ Fisheries
X Refuges/Wildlife
II.
State/Agency:
III.
Station Name: Noxubee National Wildlife Refuge
IV.
Description of Proposed Action (attach additional pages as needed):
Forest Habitat Management prescriptions for compartments 5 and 26 for FY 2008-09.
Prescriptions are attached.
V.
Pertinent Species and Habitat:
A.
Include species/habitat occurrence map:
Location map of an active red-cockaded woodpecker cluster sites are provided in the
prescriptions. Foraging habitat analyses of affected clusters are provided as appendix to
the prescriptions.
1
B.
Complete the following table:
STATUS1
SPECIES/CRITICAL HABITAT
Red- cockaded woodpecker
E
American bald eagle
American alligator
T
T(S/A)
1
STATUS: E=endangered, T=threatened, PE=proposed endangered, PT=proposed threatened, CH=critical habitat,
PCH=proposed critical habitat, C=candidate species
VI.
Location (attach map):
A.
Ecoregion Number and Name: 29; Central Gulf Coast
B.
County and State: Oktibbeha, Noxubee, and Winston MS
C.
Section, township, and range (or latitude and longitude):
Lat 33 16; Long 88 47
D.
Distance (miles) and direction to nearest town: Brooksville, MS, 15 miles E.
E.
Species/habitat occurrence: Red-cockaded woodpecker
2
VII.
Determination of Effects:
A.
Explanation of effects of the action on species and critical habitats in item V.
B (attach additional pages as needed):
SPECIES/
CRITICAL HABITAT
IMPACTS TO SPECIES/CRITICAL HABITAT
Red-cockaded
Regeneration will ensure future pine trees
woodpecker
Nesting could be disturbed by equipment
Initially fewer insect foraging trees
American bald eagle
B.
Nesting could be disturbed by equipment
Explanation of actions to be implemented to reduce adverse effects:
SPECIES/
CRITICAL HABITAT
ACTIONS TO MITIGATE/MINIMIZE IMPACTS
Red-cockaded
Logging equipment will not be allowed within 500 feet of cavity
woodpecker
trees during nesting.
The long term effect of having pine trees available for RCW’s will
negate the short term effect of reduced trees.
All potentially affected clusters meet recovery guidelines for
post-project projections.
American bald eagle
Logging will be accomplished after fledging and/or no nesting
activity.
Other Species
No adverse impacts
VIII. Effect Determination and Response Requested:
3
SPECIES/
CRITICAL HABITAT
DETERMINATION
NE
Red-cockaded woodpecker
American bald eagle
American alligator
peregrine falcon
1
1
NA
RESPONSE1
REQUESTED
AA
X
X
X
xXXX
X
XXx
Concurance
Concurance
Concurance
Concurance
DETERMINATION/RESPONSE REQUESTED:
NE = no effect. This determination is appropriate when the proposed action will not directly, indirectly, or cumulatively impact, either
positively or negatively, any listed, proposed, candidate species or designated/proposed critical habitat. Response Requested is
optional but a “Concurrence” is recommended for a complete Administrative Record.
NA = not likely to adversely affect. This determination is appropriate when the proposed action is not likely to adversely impact any
listed, proposed, candidate species or designated/proposed critical habitat or there may be beneficial effects to these resources.
Response Requested is a “Concurrence”.
AA = likely to adversely affect. This determination is appropriate when the proposed action is likely to adversely impact any listed,
proposed, candidate species or designated/proposed critical habitat. Response Requested for listed species is “Formal Consultation”.
Response Requested for proposed or candidate species is “Conference”.
____________________________
signature (originating station)
July 15, 2008
date
____________________________
title
IX. Reviewing Ecological Services Office Evaluation:
A. Concurrence ______ Nonconcurrence _______
B. Formal consultation required _______
C. Conference required _______
D. Informal conference required ________
C.
D.
Remarks (attach additional pages as needed):
_____________________________ _________
signature
date
_____________________________ _________________________________
title
office
4