Snags and Downed Wood Program Sample Clauses

Snags and Downed Wood Program. A hypothesized more functional type of dispersal habitat for spotted owls incorporates snags and downed wood in conifer stands to support spotted owl prey species. By deferring harvest on more than one-third of forest land during the term of the agreement, significant numbers of snags and downed wood will be retained across the LCT. Inventory data indicate that deferred-harvest areas contain approximately 10 snags per acre ≥11 inches DBH. Sizes and numbers of snags, as well as downed wood, are expected to increase over the term of the agreement in baseline blocks, SSAs, SMAs, and enhanced riparian and wetland buffers. Snags and downed wood occurring naturally in deferred-harvest areas will be supplemented during regeneration harvest activities. Ten percent or more of trees grown under the LCT silvicultural regime are projected to equal or exceed 20 inches DBH before regeneration harvest occurs. Two such trees per acre will be transformed into snags by topping at a height of sixteen feet or more. The tops of these trees will serve as downed wood. In addition, old-growth stumps from western red cedar and Xxxxxxx-fir trees, along with logs exhibiting unique habitat value, such as large diameter logs exhibiting active wildlife usage, will be protected during harvest operations. Other decaying logs exhibiting no more than a trace of intact bark will also be retained as downed wood.