2409.18,40

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FOREST SERVICE HANDBOOK
LAKEVIEW, OREGON

FSH 2409.18 - TIMBER SALE PREPARATION HANDBOOK

Amendment No. 2409.18-98-1

Effective May 11, 1998

POSTING NOTICE.  Amendments to this handbook are numbered consecutively.  Check the last transmittal received for this manual to see that the above amendment  number is in sequence.  If not, order intervening amendment(s) at once. Do not post this amendment until the missing one(s) is received and posted.  After posting, place this transmittal at the front of this title and retain until the first transmittal of the next calendar year is received.

Document Name  							Superseded  														New
(Number of Sheets)

2409.18,42.3 									12			9

Digest:

Revises Fremont standards for boundary designation.

CHARLES R. GRAHAM
Forest Supervisor

FREMONT AMENDMENT 2409.18-98-1   				42.3

EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998   						Page 2 of 9

42.3 - Sale Volumes.  To prevent confusion and based on historical marking practices, it is Fremont National Forest practice for all individual tree mark type sales to use blue tracer paint to designate cut trees and orange tracer paint to designate leave trees.

Additional timber designated for cutting by the Sale Administrator shall be marked with blue or green tracer paint.  In no case shall the same color paint be used in a sale to identify ITM and LTM units.  Separate paint colors shall be used.  Black tracer paint shall be used to mark out tree and stump marks of any kind.

Following are the Forest and District minimum standards for designating Timber Sale boundaries and Individual trees.  The Forest goal is to have standardized boundary designations and to provide boundaries and tree marks that will last and can be easily located, both during and after logging.  The following standards were agreed to by District Representatives, Law Enforcement, and Headquarters' Timber Personnel.  There are three recognized steps in establishing the boundary of a cutting unit.  Each step will be covered separately and followed by individual tree marking standards.

1.  Layout (Flagging).  This involves hanging flagging in advance of the boundary marking or traverse crews.  This flag line indicates which trees are to be included in the unit.  Flags can be tied to anything handy, but it is best to tie them to a sturdy tree branch or bole of a small tree.  (Forest is currently experimenting with plastic strips to be used in lieu of flagging.)

When tied to branches, the branch must be on the side of the tree that faces into the unit.  If tied around the bole of a tree, the knot should be on the side of the tree facing into the unit.  Always try to hang flags approximately  five (5) to six (6) feet above ground (See Exhibit 02).  Plenty of flagging should be used, and as a minimum, the two previously hung flags should be visible but not farther than one chain (66 feet) apart.  Hang flagging on supports that can reasonably be expected to last five years or longer.  Corners of units should be flagged closer together.  On corner trees circumvent the tree with flagging showing three (3) distinct flag lines around the tree (See Exhibit 02).  (Another acceptable method is to staple aluminum tags on the corner trees along with the flagging and tags.)  Yellow flagging is the standardized Forest code for designating cutting boundaries.

2.   Boundary Poster (Tags).  Placement of tags is very important (See Exhibit 03).  The tags represent the official boundary and in a court situation decisions will be based on questionable activity in relation to the tags.  All boundaries are to be posted with 7" x 4-1/2 inch boundary tags that are made of a composite material for longevity.  These tags vary in color and wording, depending on the cutting prescription.    The ideal situation would be to have the tag on the same tree as the flag.  The tag should face directly into the unit and be placed at DBH (4-1/2') or above.  The boundary tag shall have written on it the Sale Name and Unit Number by means of a grease pencil, nursery marking pen, or other tested inks that will not fade over a period of 5-6 years.  Try to place tags on young trees where possible and not on old-growth trees.

FREMONT AMENDMENT 2409.18-98-1   				42.3
EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998   						Page 3 of 9

Attach tags with staples long enough to hold tags securely in place.  Remember young tree bark is firm and staples hold better.  Staples in old-growth trees don't hold well.  Put a staple in each corner and two or three in the center (recommend a minimum of six (6) staples to a tag).  Number of tags put up will depend on type of country you are in.  In open country where visibility is good, an average spacing of one chain (66 feet) to 100 feet is sufficient.  In brushy country or thick reproduction, more may be needed.  If tags have been written on with other information, such as other sales or unit numbers, do not use.  Do not leave extra or unused tags in the woods or unsecured in vehicles.  Tag and flag lines that have been modified and/or relocated shall have the originals removed entirely to eliminate any confusion.  Corner trees will display a total of two (2) tags, one tag atop of another forming an "L" (See Exhibit 03).  Tags along private lines shall be placed to avoid cutting private timber.  (Districts will continue to use state-of-the art materials as they become available and tested.)

3.  Boundary Marking (Painting).  This is the most permanent mark of the three steps.  This step involves putting three (3) vertical stripes of tracer paint on trees along the boundary (See Exhibits 02 and 03). To protect the official boundary, try to paint the same trees that have the tags attached.  One stripe should be on the front of the tree facing into the unit.  The other two should be on the two opposite sides of the tree in line with the unit boundary.  These marks should start from the top at least five (5) feet or higher on the tree and have a length of approximately two (2) feet and at least two (2) inches wide.  All stump marks shall start at or below ground level.  One mark must be on the low side with paint applied into the bark furrows and crevices and the other mark should be facing into the unit.  Each stump mark should cover an area approximately the size of a 3" diameter circles.  Painting of corner trees will have paint marks above tags and on the stump like the boundary trees are marked.  These marks will run according to the boundary lines (such as a 90-degree angle).  When painting the stripe that faces into the unit, bring it on down so it touches or passes through the boundary tag.  Make sure the corners where the boundary leaves the road is well flagged, tagged and painted.  All paint used will be white tracer paint until the District utilizes their supply and then orange tracer paint may be used.  Information pertaining to the paint used to mark boundaries shall be stored securely with all other tracer paint records and available in the future for reference as needed.  (Refer to Fremont National Forest Paint Policy.)

Painting the boundary may be done in a separate operation after flagging and tagging a unit.  For any reason, if it is necessary to make any changes to a cutting unit boundary, remove all traces of old flagging, tags and use black tracer paint over the boundary paint.  Always document any changes to the boundary on the layout notes or sale activity cards.  The old boundary drawn on the cards should remain, with the changes drawn in orange pencil and a short explanation written and signed by the person making the changes.  Boundaries adjacent to private lands will have all flagging, tagging and painting on the Government trees, unless a use agreement is obtained from the adjacent owner to use private timber for this purpose.  All cutting units shall be treated the same, except road right-of-way(s).  Individual trees shall be marked for cutting on road right-of-way(s).  (See Exhibits 02-04 for examples of painting and tags.)

FREMONT AMENDMENT 2409.18-98-1   				42.3

EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998   						Page 4 of 9

REMEMBER TO STRESS THESE ITEMS:

   	a)  Good flagging and plenty of it.

b)  Place boundary tags correctly and ensure writing is legible.
c)  Apply paint to same trees the tags are attached to.  Have good painting marks.

d)  Assure that all stump marks start at or below ground level with paint applied into bark furrows or crevices.

e)  A good boundary is important to all parties concerned.
f)  Before the sale or unit is logged, REVIEW THE BOUNDARY.

g)  Do not apply paint to rocks or spray anywhere unnecessarily.

4.  Individual Tree Marking.

a.  Paint marks shall be an approximately 1-2 INCH wide band or other acceptable method of marking with the same dimensions to insure paint visibility from all directions.  The paint marks should be located on the bole at least 4-1/2 FEET above the ground and placed in an open area, free of limbs, if available.  The emphasis is on visibility of the mark (See Exhibit 04).

b.  All stump marks shall start at or below ground level and cover an area of approximately a 3" diameter circle.  These marks, at a minimum, will be on two (2) sides of the tree.  One must be on the low side with paint applied into the bark furrows and crevices.

c.  All tree marking shall be with TRACER PAINT.  Information pertaining to the paint used shall be stored securely with all other tracer paint records and available in the future for reference as needed.  (Refer to the Fremont National Forest Tracer Paint Policy.)

d.  Unless approved in advance by the Forest CO, the standard color scheme shall be:  BLUE for cut trees, ORANGE for leave trees and BLACK for corrections.  Timber designated for cutting on salvage sales or additional trees marked by SA can be marked in GREEN.

e.  During the winter months marking is difficult and future problems can be created with the lack of adequate marking.  If timber is marked during snowy conditions, the stump marking must be reviewed and brought to Forest standards prior to advertisement of the timber sale.

f.  Prior to advertising, the District Marking Crew Foreman or Presale Supervisor shall review and certify that the cutting units and boundary marking meet Fremont marking standards.  This certification shall be retained in the timber sale appraisal folder.

g.  Marking crew members need to be aware of management direction along visually sensitive corridors and recreational areas.  DBH marking can be applied to one side of the tree for a prescribed distance (as defined in EA or recommended by Landscape Architect) from the visual sensitive area.

FREMONT AMENDMENT 2409.18-98-1   				42.3
EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998   						Page 5 of 9

ITEMS TO STRESS:

a)  Prior to project start-up, hold an orientation meeting to review marking guide and use of tracer paint.

b)  Paint records shall verify that the paint to be used has tested positive for tracer element.

c)  Assure that all stump marks start at or below ground level and paint is applied into bark furrows or crevices.

d)  Above requirements are minimum standards only.  District may add to the requirements to facilitate other identified needs.

FREMONT AMENDMENT 2409.18-98-1  					42.3

EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998  							Page 6 of 9

42.3 - Exhibit 01

FREMONT STANDARD PLASTIC RIBBON COLORS FOR ACTIVITIES

COLOR

                                          YELLOW                            

            ORANGE                        WHITE    PINK                     
ACTIVITY     GLO    YELLOW   BLUE   RED   STRIPE   GLO   ORANGE                           

CUTTING   |        |        |      |     |        |     |        |        |        |     |

BDY.      |        |   X    |      |     |        |     |        |        |        |     |
CHECK     |        |        |      |     |        |     |        |        |        |     |

CRUISE    |        |        |      |     |        |  X  |        |        |        |     |

CRUISE    |        |        |      |     |        |     |        |        |        |     |
TREES     |        |        |      |     |        |  X  |        |        |        |     |

R.O.W.    |        |        |      |     |        |     |        |        |        |     |

CLEARING  |        |        |      |     |        |     |        |        |        |     |
LIMITS    |        |        |      |     |        |     |   X    |        |        |     |

P-LINES   |        |        |      |     |        |     |   X    |        |        |     |

TSI       |   X    OR   X   |      |     |        |     |        |        |        |     |
DANGER    |    RED AND WHITE STRIPE. USED ONLY FOR DANGER. THIS IS FROM APD.             |

LAND      |                                                                              |

LINES     | STEEL FENCE POST AND SIGNS ALONG A CLEARED LINE. PINK GLO FOR TEMPORARY LINE |

ALL OF THESE COLORS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE GSA CATALOG.

THE CUTTING UNIT BDY. AND TSI ARE THE SAME COLOR SO THAT EXISTING FLAGGING FROM A CUTTING UNIT WILL NOT HAVE TO BE REMOVED PRIOR TO HAVING A TSI PROJECT ON THE SAME UNIT.

ALL OTHER FUNCTIONS TO USE OTHER COLORS OR COMBINATION THEREOF AS LONG AS THERE IS NO CONFLICT WITH THIS STANDARD.

FREMONT AMENDMENT 2409.18-98-1  					42.3
EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998  							Page 7 of 9

42.3 - Exhibit 02

FREMONT AMENDMENT 2409.18-98-1  					42.3

EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998  							Page 8 of 9

42.3 - Exhibit 03

FREMONT AMENDMENT 2409.18-98-1  					42.3

EFFECTIVE MAY 11, 1998  							Page 9 of 9

42.3 - Exhibit 04