Code of Massachusetts Regulations › 302 CMR - DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION AND RECREATION › Title 302 CMR 16.00 - Forest Cutting Practices › Section 16.07 - Guidelines

Current through Register 1525, July 5, 2024
Although the following practices are not mandatory under M.G.L.
				c. 132, §§ 40 through 46, their adoption is strongly recommended
				because they will benefit both the landowner and the public. If any of these
				practices are made part of an approved forest cutting plan, they become legal
				requirements.
(1)
Wildlife
			 Habitat Protection
. Wildlife of various kinds have special habitat
			 requirements. The harvesting of trees creates changes which may benefit some
			 species and harm others. Silvicultural systems may be designed to improve
			 habitat conditions for some species or to protect habitat. Landowners seeking
			 specific information of species habitat requirements can refer to the document:
			 "Forest Wildlife of Massachusetts" by DeGraaf and Richards, available through
			 the Cooperative Extension Service, or can ask their Service Forester for
			 advice.
(2)
Vernal
			 Pools
. Vernal Pools provide critically important habitat for a
			 number of rare and endangered species in Massachusetts. Certain precautions
			 should be taken when harvesting in the vicinity of such pools to minimize
			 impacts and preserve the character and physical environment that these species
			 require. Although these pools may only actually be filled with water for a
			 brief period of time in the spring, the most important measure that can be
			 taken to protect the habitat is to recognize pool locations even in the "dry"
			 season and take precautions to preserve the local environment around the pools.
			 Several standards within 302 CMR 16.00 apply to Certified Vernal Pools.
			 Application of those standards, and the guidelines listed below, to all Vernal
			 Pools will further protect and enhance these critical habitats.
(a) Heavy equipment should not be permitted
			 in Vernal Pool depressions at any time of the year. It is also necessary to
			 avoid locating landings, skid roads or haul roads through or near these
			 depressions. It is important that the depressions not fill in with sediment
			 from nearby areas of disturbed soil.
(b) Similarly, stacking logs or otherwise
			 creating soil compaction in Vernal Pool depressions should not be
			 permitted.
(c) Operating logging
			 machinery within approximately 50 feet of a Vernal Pool during mud season
			 (generally March and April), should be avoided. Ruts deeper than six inches can
			 disrupt migration routes of endangered salamanders. There should be no ruts
			 deeper than six inches within 200 feet of a vernal pool. Similarly, the actual
			 Vernal Pool depressions should not be physically altered so that its ability to
			 seasonally hold water is impaired.
(d) Tree tops or slash should not be allowed
			 to fall or be placed into Vernal Pool depressions. While many amphibians use
			 downed woody material to attach their eggs to, no additional material should be
			 added to a pool. If tops or branches do fall into a depression, they should be
			 removed. Similarly, existing natural woody material should
not
be removed from Vernal Pool depressions.
(e) It is important that the temperature and
			 relative humidity at the soil surface be maintained in the cool, moist
			 condition necessary for amphibians that use vernal pools. Thus, it is important
			 that these vernal pools and an area within 50 feet of these pools be maintained
			 in a shaded and mostly undisturbed condition.
1. Clearcutting should not be permitted in
			 these areas. Some forest cover must be maintained to provide continuous shade
			 and protection from high temperatures at the soil surface. It is necessary to
			 not leave only trees with small or damaged tops, or those that appear to be
			 dead or dying. Established understory vegetation such as mountain laurel,
			 hemlock, or naturally established advanced regeneration can provide shade.
			 Similarly, shade can be provided by vigorous hardwood sprouting following a
			 harvest.
2. Disturbance of the
			 mineral soil within 50 feet of a Vernal Pool depression should be avoided for
			 several reasons. First, it is important that sediment not accumulate in Vernal
			 Pool depressions. Second, the exposure of mineral soil removes the natural
			 insulation provided by the accumulated litter on the forest floor. This litter
			 can be several inches thick, and can keep actual soil moisture and temperature
			 from getting too high, even if exposed to direct sunlight. For these reasons,
			 it would be best to operate in the vicinity of Vernal Pool depressions when the
			 ground is frozen and covered with snow. Under other dry conditions, it would be
			 advisable to not operate machinery within 40 feet of a pool depression, and to
			 winch timber (if any is cut within this radius) out of this area. Finally, it
			 would be advisable not to operate within 50 feet of a Vernal Pool depression
			 during mud season, so as to not create ruts.