Section 953.3 - Intermediate Treatments(a) Commercial Thinning. Commercial thinning is the removal of trees in a young-growth stand to maintain or increase average stand Diameter of the residual crop trees, promote timber growth, and/or improve forest health. The residual stand shall consist primarily of healthy and vigorous dominant and codominant trees from the preharvest stand. (1) Post harvest stand Stocking levels shall be stated in the THP. The level of residual Stocking shall be consistent with maximum sustained production of high quality timber products. Generally, stands will develop stand structures with considerably higher levels of basal area than provided in these minimum standards as stand age increases. In no case shall Stocking be reduced below the following standards: (A) Where the preharvest dominant and codominant crown Canopy is occupied primarily by trees greater than fourteen (14) inches d.b.h.:1. On Site I mixed conifer lands at least one hundred twenty-five (125) sq.ft. per acre of basal area shall be left, and on Site I land where greater than fifty (50) percent of the basal area is pine, at least one hundred (100) sq.ft. per acre of basal area shall be left.2. On Site II mixed conifer lands at least one hundred (100) sq.ft. per acre of basal area shall be left, and on Site II lands where greater than fifty (50) percent of the basal area is pine, at least seventy-five (75) sq.ft. per acre of basal are shall be left.3. On Site III mixed conifer lands at least seventy-five (75) sq.ft. per acre of basal area shall be left, and on Site III lands where greater than fifty (50) percent of the basal area is pine, at least seventy-five (75) sq.ft. per acre of basal area shall be left.4. On Site IV and V mixed conifer lands, at least fifty (50) sq.ft. per acre of basal area shall be left, and on Site IV and V lands where greater than fifty (50) percent of the basal area is pine at least fifty (50) sq.ft. per acre of basal area shall be left.(B) Where the preharvest dominant and codominant crown Canopy is occupied primarily by trees less than fourteen (14) inches d.b.h., a minimum of sixty-five (65) trees per acre over four (4) inches d.b.h. shall be retained.(2) Exceptions to these Stocking Standards may be proposed by the RPF when explained and justified in the Plan, but in no case will the standards be below those specified in 14 CCR § 952.7(b)(2).(3) For stands harvested in compliance with 14 CCR § 953.3(a)(1)(A), the trees to be harvested or the trees to be retained shall be Marked by or under the supervision of an RPF prior to felling operations. For all thinning proposals, a sample area must be Marked prior to a preharvest inspection for evaluation. The sample area shall include at least ten (10) percent of the thinning area up to a maximum of twenty (20) acres per stand type which is representative of the range of conditions present in the area. The Director may waive the Marking requirements for the remainder of the THP area when explained and justified in the THP.(4) Within six (6) months following completion of Timber Operations as described in the Plan a report of Stocking shall be filed as stated in PRC § 4587.(b) Sanitation-Salvage. Sanitation is the removal of insect-attacked or Diseased Trees in order to maintain or improve the health of the stand. Salvage is the removal of only those trees which are dead, dying or deteriorating, because of damage from fire, wind, insects, disease, flood or other injurious agents. Salvage provides for the economic recovery of trees prior to a total loss of their wood product value. Sanitation and salvage may be combined into a single operation. The following requirements apply to the use of the sanitation-salvage treatment: (1) The RPF shall estimate in the THP expected level of Stocking to be retained upon completion of Timber Operations.(2) Immediately upon completion of Timber Operations, the area shall meet the Stocking Standards of 14 CCR § 952.7(b) unless explained and justified in the Plan. If Stocking is to be met immediately following completion of Timber Operations, a report of Stocking shall be filed within six (6) months of completion. If this standard cannot be met, the area must be planted during the first planting season following completion of Timber Operations and the minimum Stocking Standards of 14 CCR § 952.7(b)(1) must be met within five (5) years following completion of Timber Operations.(3) Trees to be harvested or trees to be retained shall be Marked by or under the supervision of an RPF prior to felling operations. When openings greater than one-quarter (0.25) acres will be created, the boundaries of the Small Group(s) may be designated in lieu of Marking individual trees within the Small Group areas. A sample area must be Marked prior to a preharvest inspection for evaluation. The sample area shall include at least ten (10) percent of the area, up to a maximum of twenty (20) acres per stand type, whichever is less, which is representative of the range of conditions present in the area. The Director may waive the Marking requirement for the remainder of the THP area when explained and justified in the THP.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 953.3
1. New NOTE filed 2-21-79 as procedural and organizational; effective upon filing (Register 79, No. 9).
2. Repealer and new section filed 1-11-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 3).
3. New subsection (c) filed 1-23-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 4).
4. Change without regulatory effect filed 5-24-89 (Register 89, No. 23).
5. Editorial correction of subsections (a)(2) and (c)(2)(B) (Register 91, No. 28).
6. Amendment filed 1-7-94; operative 3-1-94 (Register 94, No. 1).
7. Editorial correction of subsection (b)(2) (Register 96, No. 50).
8. Amendment of subsections (a)(3) and (b)(3) filed 11-26-97; operative 1-1-98 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 97, No. 48).
9. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 12-20-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 51).
10. Amendment of subsections (a)(1)(A)-(B), (a)(3)-(4) and (b)(1)-(3) filed 11-14-2019; operative 1-1-2020 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5(a) (Register 2019, No. 46). Note: Authority cited: Sections 4551 and 4561, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4582(d), 4582(h) and 4587, Public Resources Code.
1. New NOTE filed 2-21-79 as procedural and organizational; effective upon filing (Register 79, No. 9).
2. Repealer and new section filed 1-11-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 3).
3. New subsection (c) filed 1-23-85; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 85, No. 4).
4. Change without regulatory effect filed 5-24-89 (Register 89, No. 23).
5. Editorial correction of subsections (a)(2) and (c)(2)(B) (Register 91, No. 28).
6. Amendment filed 1-7-94; operative 3-1-94 (Register 94, No. 1).
7. Editorial correction of subsection (b)(2) (Register 96, No. 50).
8. Amendment of subsections (a)(3) and (b)(3) filed 11-26-97; operative 1-1-98 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5 (Register 97, No. 48).
9. Change without regulatory effect amending section filed 12-20-2017 pursuant to section 100, title 1, California Code of Regulations (Register 2017, No. 51).
10. Amendment of subsections (a)(1)(A)-(B), (a)(3)-(4) and (b)(1)-(3) filed 11-14-2019; operative 1/1/2020 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5(a) (Register 2019, No. 46).