Multiple-Use, Management, Planning And Administration Kenneth Williams Fisheries Extension Specialist Langston University Aquaculture Extension Program Elements of Forestry

Forest Management Process of organizing stands so they produce a continuous flow of what ever resources are desired from that forest. In a sustainable manner. A way that insures that they are forever available.

Value of Forest Resources Decided By Society Ex. Black walnut along a stream – Source of cabinet lumber – Squirrel habitat – Control erosion, protect water quality

Multiple Use Resource use often in conflict. Management and use of one resource affects management and availability of other resources. Forest management tries to optimize the supply of resources relative to demand in a way that ensures sustainability and minimal conflict among competing demands

The Forest Management Plan Identifies land owner objectives Outlines treatments and timetables for each stand Provides evaluation to insure goals are being met

The Forest Management Plan The greater the number of resources to be managed, the more comprehensive the plan. The higher the intrinsic or monetary value, the more comprehensive the plan So – The amount of planning essentially depends on the value of the forest.

Multiple Use – Sustained Yield Act Of 1960 National forests are established and administered for outdoor recreation, range, timber, watershed and wildlife and fish purposes. These 5 categories are the multiple uses.

Multiple Use – Sustained Yield Act Of 1960 Each national forest must supply an adequate amount of these multiple uses over a 50 year period of management Timber used to be the only thing managed for. Everything else was secondary or not considered at all.

Resource Value Other uses often are of more value than timber. Ex. Campground Often the value is intrinsic. A dollar amount can not be fixed to it. Ex. Watershed protection, scenic trails, wilderness areas. What else can you think of?

Forest Management National forests must be managed to prevent non-point source water pollution. All timber management practices affect forest wildlife. Certain species associated with certain successional stages. Ex. Deer and young browse.

Forest Management Forest industry generally manages for early successional forest ecosystems. Why? This favors wildlife species that are part of the brushy habitat mosaic. Deer, quail, and grouse. All are popular game species. These forest lands are very popular with hunters.

Forest Management Hunting leases sold by some forest industries companies can equal as much per acre as the value of the timber on the land.

Forest Management Buffer strips protect water quality and fish populations.

Forest Management Management of non- game species – Leave snags (standing dead timber) and small un-touched plots in harvested areas for non- game habitat or endangered species.

Range Grasses found in forest ecosystems Primary use is to allow domestic livestock to roam the forest. Most common in western forests. Goal – balance quality and quantity of forage with grazing intensity for a given area and forest wide.

Recreation Outdoor recreation is increasing. – Particularly snow, ice and water based activities. Also mountain biking.

Recreation Other outdoor recreations – Backpacking – Hiking – Camping – Mountain climbing – Hunting – Fishing – Photography – Horseback riding

Multiple Use Interactions Multiple use often means conflicting goals Interactions can be: – Neutral – no effect on another use – Compatible – beneficial effect of small clear cuts on some wildlife species. – Incompatible –a genuine wilderness experience is impossible in an area of intensive timber management.

Multiple Use Conflicts May be between resources – ex. specific habitat resource needs of some wildlife and timber management practices. Conflict may be caused by management techniques. These practices can be modified to lessen conflict.

Multiple Use Conflicts Dominant use- one particular use given priority over other uses. Zoning particular areas. Partition resources – spatially or in time.

Forest Owners And Ownership Landowner not forester determines objectives Forester implements landowner objectives by developing a forest management plan Forester suggests management alternatives to landowner

Types Of Forest Land 1/3 of land classified as forest land Commercial forest land – produce more than 1.4 cubic meters per hectare of industrial wood under natural-stand conditions. Northern and southern regions contain about 75% of commercial forest land

Types Of Forest Land Productive deferred land – could be commercial forest but is used for other purposes – national parks, wilderness areas etc. 3.4% of forests.

Types Of Forest Land Other forest lands – slow growing forests on poor sites. Production below commercial forest standards. 31% of U.S. forests. 90% of these forests found in the west.

Types Of Forest Land 18% of commercial forests are in the national forest system. 75 % of these in the west. 14% of commercial forest owned by industry. 53% of these are in the south. 60% of commercial forest owned by private individuals whose major income is not from forestland.

Implementing Management Strategies Planning –assess ownership objectives and forest resources that can satisfy these objectives. Draw up written plan: – Methodology – Treatment schedules

Implementing Management Strategies Administration – organization of management tasks in order to implement the plan. – Personal supervision – Operational budgets – Resource monitoring

Public Forest Management Agencies U.S.D.A. – Forest service – national forest system Department of the Interior – Bureau of Land Management – National Park Service – Fish and Wildlife Service – Bureau of Indian Affairs Defense Department

Forest Service Planning occurs at national, regional and local levels. Local and regional plans meshed to achieve long range national objectives.

Industrial Forests Size varies from small operations of a few thousand acres to large multinational conglomerates with millions of acres, many mills and 1000’s of employees.

Industrial Forests Manage forest for company goals and not necessarily efficient forest management. Need continual flow of timber to the mills. – Expensive to shut down processing facilities – Need for continual employment of labor force – Maximum profitability from a regulated forest

Industrial Forests Many are now managed for multiple use because it is profitable. They can lease hunting and fishing access as well as other recreational opportunities. Good public relations

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