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Carbon Sequestration Management Program
Forest
Management Principles
Timber
harvest may be allowed on environmental assets easement
lands when consistent with the long term protection and
enhancement of carbon sequestration, habitat for migratory
birds, other wildlife habitat and additional environmental
assets for which the easement was purchased.
 All
timber harvesting operations must be carried out according
to a Timber Management Plan (TMP) either: 1) developed by
the landowner and approved by The Carbon Fund (TCF) or 2)
developed by TCF. Either TCF or the landowner can conduct
the harvest. When TCF conducts the harvest, it will receive
15 percent of the funds from the sale of the harvest and
when the landowner conducts the harvest, TCF will receive
5 percent of the funds from the sale of the harvest.
Landowners
will request permission for timber harvest through TCF.
The easement manager and forester will then make a site
visit to determine if a timber harvest is needed to benefit
carbon sequestration and other environmental assets.
If
harvest is needed, then the landowner will have a wildlife
biologist, consultant forester or other resource professional,
submit a written Timber Harvest Plan (THP) that is compatible
with these Forest Management Principles and the objectives
of the easement. The landowner's agent will meet with TCF
prior to plan development to discuss its contents. Landowners
will provide a timber cruise conducted by a registered forester.
Cruise information will include (by species) sawtimber volume,
pulpwood volume, growth rate and log grade as well as composition
of shrub and herbaceous layer. Approved harvesting methods
will emphasize and facilitate natural regeneration of oaks
and other tree species providing significant wildlife food
and shelter in bottomland hardwood forests.
Harvesting
operations will utilize State Best Management Practices
(BMPs) to control erosion, protect water quality, maintain
biodiversity and ensure the wetland functions and values
of the easement are protected. Amount, timing and intensity
of timber harvesting allowed may vary based on conditions
of the site and stand. A combination of shelterwood, single
tree and group selection harvesting methods may be used
to enhance forest stands to promote species biodiversity,
multiple crown classes and forest cover types.
Landowners
will be required to provide a performance bond, made payable
by certified check or bank draft, prior to issuance of a
compatible use timber harvesting permit. Landowner may forfeit
this bond if TCF determines harvesting operations were not
completed according to the approved THP.
 Additionally,
the following timber-harvesting provisions will be incorporated
into all approved TCF THPs.
1. Harvesting
adjacent to perennial streams and rivers will be in accordance
with latest version of the State BMPs.
2. All
harvesting operations will occur between July 1 and November
15. In addition, logging will not be permitted when ground
is wet and subject to excessive rutting or compaction.
3. No
harvesting of cavity trees or den trees.
4. Skidding
and felling will be carried out so as to minimize damage
to residual stand.
5. Dead
and snag trees will be left undisturbed for nesting and
detritus recycling.
6. Group
selection (patch-cut) harvests to promote establishment
of oaks should be limited to 3 to 5 acres in size.
7. Larger,
irregularly shaped clearcuts may be used only if necessary
for timber salvage, as approved by area forester on specific
sites.
8. Harvesting
within cypress-tupelo gum brakes will not be allowed, unless
needed to increase wildlife benefits. This exception must
be approved by TCF.
9. All
trees to be cut will be clearly marked with paint at eye
level and on the stump. Only marked trees shall be cut,
unless otherwise agreed to by TCF. The landowner will be
responsible for marking trees to be harvested when he or
she conducts the harvest and TCF will be responsible for
marking trees to be harvested when TCF conducts the harvest.
TCF must inspect and approve marking prior to harvesting
operations.
10.
Locations of all loading sets and haul roads must be approved
by TCF, size and number of loading sets and number of haul
roads will be kept to a minimum. Existing roads will be
used when possible.
11.
Candidate den-site trees will not be harvested on easements
that received ranking points for protecting habitat of Louisiana
black bear. Criteria for candidate den trees will be determined
through consultation with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
12.
Storage and use of petroleum products while on the easement
will be in accordance with regulations set forth in state
BMPs.
Questions
concerning these requirements should be directed to:
James
L. Cummins, Executive Vice-President
The Carbon Fund
P.O. Box 100
Stoneville, MS 38776
Business: 1-TON-OF-CARBON
Mobile: 662.820.5703
Fax: 662.686.4780
E-mail: jcummins@thecarbonfund.org
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