Land Clearing

***Vermont Conservation Practice Job Sheet 460***

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height="1.9979166666666666in"}

Definition

Removing trees, stumps, and other vegetation from wooded areas.

Purpose

To achieve needed land use adjustments and improvements in the interest
of soil and water conservation and in keeping with the capabilities of
the land.

Where used

This practice applies to wooded areas where the removal of trees,
stumps, brush, and other vegetation is needed in carrying out a soil and
water conservation plan, and the land to be cleared will be used
according to its capabilities.

Considerations

The method, intensity and timing of land clearing will match the
limitations of the site, equipment, and the purpose for removing the
vegetation.

An appropriate land clearing method will be chosen to protect any
desirable vegetation, wetlands, wildlife habitat and cultural resources.

Remaining debris shall not create habitat for or harbor harmful levels
of pests.

Remaining debris shall not hinder needed access, drainage or create an
undue fire hazard.

Erosion and/or runoff will be controlled by appropriate erosion control
practices.

Soil compaction and displacement will be minimized.

Comply with applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations
during the installation, operation and maintenance of this practice
including "Vermont's Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining
Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont" (AMP's).

The land clearing method should be cost effective and protect cultural
resources, wildlife habitat, threatened and endangered species, water
resources, and identified unique areas.

Visual quality objectives should be considered when selecting land
clearing methods.

Anticipate possible off-site effects and modify the land clearing design
accordingly.

Consider personnel safety during land clearing activities.

Operation and maintenance

An Operation and Maintenance Plan shall be prepared and implemented by
the landowner or operator responsible for the land clearing. The plan
shall be effective from the time the land clearing operation is started
to the time the intended land use is established. The plan includes at a
minimum a method to establish and maintain desired vegetative cover to
prevent erosion, measures to protect watercourses from sedimentation and
contaminants, and use of mechanical treatments and chemical applications
to control undesired species.

Specifications

Site-specific requirements are listed on the specifications sheet.
Additional provisions are entered on the job sketch sheet.
Specifications are prepared in accordance with the VT NRCS Field Office
Technical Guide. See practice standard for Land Clearing, code 460 for
specific requirements.

**Land Clearing -- Job Sheet**

If needed, an aerial view or a side view of the practice can be shown
below. Other relevant information, complementary practices and measures,
and additional specifications may be included.

Scale 1\"=\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ ft. (NA indicates sketch not to scale: grid
size=1/2\" by 1/2\") ↑N

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  **Additional Specifications and Notes: (**Indicate from methods table
  field and acres corresponding to additional notes**)**

  -----------------------------------------------------------------------

**The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits
discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs and marital or
familial status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.)
Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for
communication program information (Braille, large print, audiotape,
etc.) should contact the USDA Office of Communications (202) 720-2791.**

**To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.**

**Land Clearing -- Job Sheet**

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| *For:*                            | *Farm #:*                         |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| *Field(s):*                       | *Tract #:*                        |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| *Designed By:*                    | *Approved By:*                    |
|                                   |                                   |
| *Drawing No(s).:*                 | *Signature:*                      |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| *Date:*                           | *Date:*                           |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ## Purpose (check all that apply) |                                   |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| ## Adjusting land use in inte     | ## Improvement to existing land   |
| rest of soil & water conservation | use for soil & water conservation |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+
| -   Adjusting land use for fish   | -   Improvement to existing land  |
|     and wildlife habitat          |     use for fish and wildlife     |
|                                   |     habitat                       |
+-----------------------------------+-----------------------------------+

+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------+-----------------+
| # |   |               |     |                    |                 |
| # |   |               |     |                    |                 |
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+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------+-----------------+
| F | A | Vegetation    | D   | Number of access   | Debris Removal  |
| i | c | Removal       | ate | roads, skid        | Method^1^       |
| e | r | Method,       |     | trails, log        |                 |
| l | e | including     |     | landings           |                 |
| d | s | equipment     |     |                    |                 |
|   |   | types         |     |                    |                 |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------+-----------------+
| # | # | ##            | ##  | ##                 | ##              |
| # | # |               |     |                    |                 |
|   |   |               |     |                    |                 |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------+-----------------+
|   |   |               |     |                    |                 |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------+-----------------+
| # | # | ##            | ##  | ##                 | ##              |
| # | # |               |     |                    |                 |
|   |   |               |     |                    |                 |
+---+---+---------------+-----+--------------------+-----------------+

**Note:** For clearcut harvesting refer to VT Heavy Cutting Rules for
specific requirements and notifications.

NEPA requirements met, including cultural resource assessment?\_\_\_\_\_
Permits required?\_\_\_\_\_\_Permit No.\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (if Yes)

^1^Specify debris removal method -- Options are:

**Contour windrows** - Usually vegetation is pushed into contour
windrows, especially if the area is to be planted by machine. These
piles should be high, narrow, and compact. See standard 460 for
appropriate berm pile length, width, height and distance between piles.
Width\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_,
Length\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_,
Height\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, Distance between
piles\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.

**Burn** -- all burns must be conducted by personnel certified for
prescribed burning and in accordance with all federal, state and local
laws and regulations.

**Bury --**Select areas that are deep to bedrock and where remaining
fill can be spread without increasing erosion and sedimentation.

+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Limits of Area to be cleared:                                         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Location of disposal areas:                                           |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Locations of areas off limits to disposal:                            |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| Location of trees and woody materials to be left undisturbed:         |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+
| **[Operation and Maintenance]{.mark}:**                               |
|                                                                       |
| Measures to control erosion, sedimentation and contamination during   |
| and after the land clearing until the intended land use is            |
| established :                                                         |
|                                                                       |
| Measures to avoid and protect wildlife habitat, wetlands, cultural    |
| resources, and other environmental sensitive areas:                   |
|                                                                       |
| Weed (especially non-native, invasive species) control measures       |
| during and after the land clearing until the intended land use is     |
| established:                                                          |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------------+

Installation shall be in accordance with the specified drawings,
specifications, and special requirements. **No changes are to be made in
the drawings or specifications without prior approval of {name of
technical specialist} at {phone number}.**

Questions regarding the planting or maintenance of the tree/shrub
establishment should be directed to \[name of technical specialist\], at
\[phone number\].