Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 921.5 - Logging Practices

The following logging practices shall be adhered to:

(a) Tractor Logging. Tractor logging and tractor preparation of tree Layouts shall not be permitted on slopes averaging over 50% where the Erosion Hazard Rating is high or extreme and 60% where the Erosion Hazard Rating is low or moderate, unless it can be shown from past experience on the ground that tractor logging or other types of Skidding equipment will cause less disturbance than would result from a Feasible alternative method.

(b) Roads. Rules contained in 14 CCR § 923.2 through subsection (f) shall be adhered to with the following special requirements.

(1) Roads shall be single lane, not to exceed 16 feet in width and generally the traveled surface shall be no more than 12 feet (3.67 m) in width, except where alignment, safety, and equipment necessary to conduct the operation requires additional width. Deviations shall be explained and justified in the Plan.

(2) Waste organic material such as uprooted stumps, cull logs, accumulations of limbs and branches, or nonmerchantable trees shall not be buried in the main body of road Fills. Such solid waste material may be used to secure the toe of a Fill. Except for prepared crossings, including necessary approaches, Sidecast or Fill material shall not be placed in the Watercourse protection zone unless explained in the Plan.

(3) Roads shall not be constructed through Slide Areas or areas with visible evidence of slope instability unless the alignment is the best available alternative and special design features are incorporated in the Plan. There shall be provisions in the Plan to maintain the design features or provisions to maintain or improve the stability of the area after completion of road use.

(4) Roads, Landings, cuts and Fills shall be screened from direct view to the extent Feasible by leaving screen trees and other vegetation between the disturbed areas and public areas utilized by substantial numbers of viewers.

(c) Soil disturbance, other than that incident to necessary Road Maintenance, whether with tractor or by cable means, shall not occur under excessively wet ground conditions that could result in substantial soil compaction and erosion.

(d) Notwithstanding the requirements of 14 CCR § 1040, if in construction, rock outcroppings, springs and other physical factors require a change in roads, Landings and skid trail location, the location can be changed with the concurrence of an RPF, the operator and the Director's representative provided that such changes in location constitute Minor Deviations; that RPF shall provide written confirmation of such Minor Deviations which shall become a part of the Plan. All changes in location constituting Substantial Deviations shall be submitted to the Director as amendments to the Plan.

(e) Felling Practices. Up to 10% of the trees that are proposed for cutting may be substituted 1 for 1 with those proposed to be left uncut provided that the leave tree proportion, size class, distribution and general forest appearance of the residual stand as approved in the preliminary field work is preserved.

Justification for the substitution standard shall be based on unavoidable tree damage, safety factors, lean of trees, location of obstructions or roads or openings insufficient to accommodate felled trees.

Notes

Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 921.5

1. Amendment filed 8-10-83; effective upon filing pursuant to Government Code Section 11346.2(d) (Register 83, No. 37).
2. Amendment of subsections (a) and (b) filed 11-15-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 46).
3. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 11-26-97; operative 1-1-98 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 97, No. 48).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 10-31-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 44).

Note: Authority cited: Sections 4551 and 4562.5, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4551.5, 4562.5, 4562.7 and 30417, Public Resources Code.

1. Amendment filed 8-10-83; effective upon filing pursuant to Government Code Section 11346.2(d) (Register 83, No. 37).
2. Amendment of subsections (a) and (b) filed 11-15-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 46).
3. Amendment of subsection (d) filed 11-26-97; operative 1-1-98 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 97, No. 48).
4. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 10-31-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 44).