California Code of Regulations › Title 14 - Natural Resources › Division 1.5 - Department of Forestry and Fire Protection › Chapter 4 - Forest Practices › Subchapter 6 - Southern Forest District Rules › Article 12 - Logging Roads, Landings, and Logging Road Watercourse Crossings › Section 963.6 - Use of Logging Roads and Landings

Current through Register 2024 Notice Reg. No. 28, July 12, 2024
The following use standards shall apply to Logging Roads
						and Landings:
(a) Logging Roads and
					 Landings shall be used in a manner that is consistent with their design and
					 construction specifications.
(b)
					 Logging Roads and Landings shall not be used during any time of the year when
					 operations may result in Significant Sediment Discharge to Watercourse or
					 Lakes, except in emergencies to protect the road, to reduce erosion, to protect
					 water quality, or in response to public safety needs.
(c) During the Extended Wet Weather Period,
					 log hauling or other heavy equipment uses shall be limited to Logging Roads and
					 Landings that exhibit a Stable Operating Surface in conformance with (b) above.
					 Routine use of Logging Roads and Landings shall not occur when equipment cannot
					 operate under its own power.
(d)
					 When burning permits are required pursuant to PRC §
											4423,
					 Logging Roads and Landings that are in use shall be kept in passable condition
					 for fire trucks.
(e) Roadside Berms
					 that impede Logging Road drainage, concentrate Logging Road surface flow, or
					 lead to hydrologic connection shall be removed or breached before the beginning
					 of the Winter Period, with the exception of Berms needed for Erosion
					 Control.
(f) Temporary Roads shall
					 be blocked or otherwise closed to standard production four-wheel drive highway
					 vehicles prior to the Winter Period, or upon completion of use as specified in
					 an approved Winter Period operating Plan pursuant to
					 14 CCR
					 §
												954.7(b).
(g) Logging Roads and Landings used for log
					 hauling or other heavy equipment uses during the Winter Period shall occur on a
					 Stable Operating Surface and, where necessary, be surfaced with rock to a depth
					 and quantity sufficient to maintain such a surface. Use is prohibited on roads
					 that are not hydrologically disconnected and exhibit Saturated Soil Conditions.
					 Exceptions may be proposed by the RPF when locations are disclosed and
					 justified in the THP, consistent with
					 14 CCR
					 §
												923(c). Exceptions
					 must be approved by the Director.
(h) In Watersheds with Listed Anadromous
					 Salmonids and in Planning Watersheds immediately upstream of, and contiguous
					 to, any watershed with listed anadromous salmonids, the following shall apply:
(1) Existing Logging Roads or Landings shall
					 not be used within the CMZ of a Class I Watercourse except as listed in
					 14 CCR
					 §
													956.9 subsection (e)(1)(A)-(F) or
					 pursuant to
					 14 CCR
					 §
													956.9(v).
(2) When Feasible, minimize use of existing
					 Logging Roads and Landings located within Inner Zones A and B of Flood Prone
					 Areas. Exceptions include the use of roads and Landings to accomplish actions
					 to improve salmonid habitat conditions stated in
					 14 CCR
					 §
													956.9(f)(3)(E)1.
(3) Log hauling on Logging Roads and Landings
					 shall be limited to those which are hydrologically disconnected from
					 Watercourses to the extent Feasible, and exhibit a Stable Operating Surface in
					 conformance with (b) above. Exceptions may be proposed by the RPF when
					 locations are disclosed and justified in the THP, consistent with
					 14 CCR
					 §
													923(c). Exceptions
					 must be approved by the Director.
(4) Concurrent with use for log hauling, all
					 Road Approaches to Logging Road Watercourse crossings shall be treated for
					 Erosion Control as needed to minimize soil erosion and sediment transport and
					 to prevent Significant Sediment Discharge to Watercourses or Lakes.
(5) Concurrent with use for log hauling, all
					 traveled surfaces of Logging Roads in a WLPZ, and ELZ or EEZ designated for
					 Watercourse or Lake protection, shall be treated for Erosion Control as needed
					 to minimize soil erosion and sediment transport and to prevent Significant
					 Sediment Discharge to Watercourses or Lakes.
(6) No Timber Operations shall take place
					 during the Extended Wet Weather Period unless the approved Plan incorporates a
					 complete Winter Period operating Plan pursuant to
					 14 CCR
					 §
													954.7(b) that
					 specifically addresses, where applicable, proposed Logging Road or Landing
					 use.