Natural resources conservation service\
conservation practice SPECIFICATION

666D -- forest stand improvement

COMPETING VEGETATION CONTROL

i\. scope

The work shall consist of conducting the operations specified within
this Practice Specification at the locations as shown on the drawings or
plans or designated areas as shown on the plan map.

The species to be controlled, and the time of operations shall be as
listed on the Practice Requirements Sheet.

II\. CHEMICAL TREATMENT

Land users and applicators using chemical herbicides should be cautioned
as follows:

All recommendations for the use of pesticides must be by a licensed
Agricultural Pest Control Advisor, registered with the County
Agricultural Commissioner, in the county where the pesticides will be
applied.

For chemical treatment methods, the following will be specified on the
Practice Requirement sheet:

Herbicide name

Rate of Application or spray volumes

Acceptable dates of application

Any special herbicide requirements.

If herbicides are handled or applied improperly, or if unused portions
are not disposed of safely, they may injure humans, domestic animals,
desirable plants, fish or other wildlife, and may contaminate water
bodies, nearby crops or other vegetation. Follow the directions and heed
all precautions on the container label. Herbicides should not be used
over or directly adjacent to ponds, lakes or streams. Landowners and
applicators should be aware of and adhere to the provisions of local,
county, state or federal laws and regulations concerning the use of
agricultural chemicals.

Conformance with permits of all local, state and federal regulations for
use of chemicals shall be the responsibility of the landowner. Permits
for use of chemicals will specify legally required setbacks from
watercourses, ponds, residences, etc.

III\. MECHANICAL METHODS OF TREATMENT

A. Cutting

Adaptation - On sites that have certain species that should be retained,
or where reduced numbers of species are required, especially tree-types
and large specimens such as manzanita, oaks, madrone, juniper, etc.
Number, size, quality, and species to be saved should be determined
before cutting begins. If necessary, saved trees should be marked to
prevent unnecessary delay in selection by cutters.

Equipment - Chains saws, bow saws, axes, etc.

Operations - Material cut should be salvaged for fuelwood, sawlogs,
poles, posts, chips, hogfuel, compost, particle board or other uses.
Remaining tops and limbs should be lopped and scattered, or piled for
burning or wildlife cover according to the amount of slash left.

Stumps will be as low to the ground as possible with the equipment used.
Material to be milled will be removed immediately or treated to prevent
end checking.

Residual trees saved will be protected from damage during operations.

Wildlife and nesting den trees will not be cut.

Slash burning will be done in openings.

B. Beating/Flailing/Mastication

Adaptation - Limited to areas supporting stands of mature big sagebrush,
greenleaf manzanita, or other non-sprouting species. Sprouting species
will require a follow-up treatment to control reemerging sprouts.

Equipment - Flail rotary and circular beaters, circular saw-type
equipment, rotary mowers, masticators and the like, brush hogs, etc. All
equipment should meet CAL-OSHA standards for operator protection.

Masticator type equipment may be utilized on slopes up to 35^0^ with
rocks on the surface. Short slope lengths on slopes up to 40 -- 45^0^
may be treated.

When using flail rotary and circular beaters, circular saw-type
equipment, rotary mowers and brush hogs the area needs to be free of
rocks and on slopes less than 30^0^.

Methods - Set equipment to operate about four inches above the ground so
that low brush will be cut or shattered. Reduce speed in heavy brush to
insure all brush is cut.

C. Brush Raking

Adaptation - Effective on sagebrush, rabbitbrush, and manzanitas.

Equipment - Bulldozer with brush rake. Rakes vary from front mounted to
dump rakes that are towed.

Operation Brush rakes shall penetrate deep enough to pull brush roots
out of the ground.

Debris shall be push into windrows on the contour and allowed time to
dry. Burn when debris is dry and weather conditions are favorable. Soil
accumulated in windrows may need spreading following burning.

Brush raking of manzanita will require follow-up treatment because the
soil disturbance will significantly increase the numbers of young
manzanita seedlings.

D. Pushing

Adaptation - Practical for juniper, oak, and tree type shrubs with large
main stems. Stands of 20 to 30 percent canopy cover or less should not
be considered if plants can be cut and salvaged for wood products.

Equipment - Bulldozer with blade, front end brush rake, or grubber.

Pushing will not be used on slopes exceeding 20 to 25%.

Operation - Push debris when the soils are moist (not wet).

Uprooted trees may be left in place, pushed into piles, or into
windrows.

**E. Crushing**

Adaptation - Effective on chamise, manzanitas.

Equipment - Bulldozer with blade or similar piece of equipment.

Operation - Blade is set about 4 to 6 inches above the ground to
minimize soil disturbance. It is normally done on mature, brittle
plants. It is not suitable on young flexible brush.

Piles and windrows may be burned completely or selectively. Piles left
may be good wildlife cover.

iv\. disposal requirement

The method of disposal shall be as indicated on the Practice Requirement
sheet.

A. Pile and Burn - When disposing of brush, pile and burn in openings
between trees to prevent scorching of bark and needles of standing
trees. Burn piles during or immediately after a light precipitation.
This will help keep the fires from creeping out of control along ground
or blowing away from the pile into surrounding dry material. You may
find it easier to cover a portion of the piles with small (4\'x4\')
pieces of plastic sheets prior to precipitation so that you have a dry
spot to start your fire.

The piles shall be burned in accordance with the state fire laws as
administered by your local fire control agency. Contact the County Air
Pollution Control for burn days and applicable permits.

B. Removal - Complete removal of brush from the area to a location as
staked in field or as specified on the Practice Requirement sheet.

C. Chipping and scattering of brush - Spread chips evenly over the
treated area. If possible does not place chips closer than 4 feet to
residual shrubs and trees.

D. Lop & Scatter - lop and scattering in areas not requiring the
disposal of brush. Limbs are to be cut from the main trunk so that the
material lies within 18\" of the ground. Do not leave cut material under
trees or near remaining brush clumps. For lop and scatter requirements
for tree species see 666 - FOREST STAND IMPROVEMENT, specifications.

E. Large stems and portions of the main trunk larger than 3\" in
diameter are to be removed from the area for firewood.

V. GENERAL

The designated agency will prepare a burn plan per 338 - PRESCRIBED
BURNING.

On sites with soils that are subject to excessive erosion, a plan shall
be prepared to prevent or control the erosion.

Piles and windrows may be burned completely or selectively. Piles left
are good for wildlife cover.

vI. basis of acceptance

Upon completion of the work conducted by the owner/client, a field
inspection will be made to determine if 85 percent of the planned work
as described within the Plan has been satisfactory completed.

vIi. operation and maintenance

Once a year after the completion of the work, the owner/client will
conduct a field inspection to determine the area that require additional
attention to advance the Forest Stand Improvement, and to identify
locations that need work to reduce soil erosion.