§ 914.7. Timber Operations, Winter Period.

During the winter period:

(a) Mechanical site preparation and timber harvesting, shall not be conducted unless in winter period operating plan is incorporated in the timber harvesting plan and is followed, or unless the requirements of subsection (c) are met. Cable, helicopter and balloon yarding methods are exempted.

(b) The winter period operating plan shall include the specific measures to be taken in winter timber operations to minimize damage due to erosion, soil movement into watercourses and soil compaction from felling, yarding, loading, mechanical site preparation, and erosion control activities. A winter period operating plan shall address the following subjects:

(1) Erosion hazard rating.

(2) Mechanical site preparation methods.

(3) Yarding system (constructed skid trails).

(4) Operating period.

(5) Erosion control facilities timing.

(6) Consideration of form of precipitation-rain or snow.

(7) Ground conditions (soil moisture condition, frozen).

(8) Silvicultural system-ground cover.

(9) Operations within the WLPZ.

(10) Equipment use limitations.

(11) Known unstable areas.

(c) In lieu of a winter period operating plan, the RPF can specify the following measures in the THP:

(1) Tractor yarding or the use of tractors of constructing layouts, firebreaks or other tractor roads shall be done only during dry, rainless periods but shall not be conducted on saturated soil conditions that may produce sediment in quantities sufficient to cause a visible increase in turbidity of downstream waters in receiving Class I, II, III or IV waters or that violate Water Quality Requirements.

(2) Erosion control structures shall be installed on all constructed skid trails and tractor roads prior to the end of the day if the U.S. Weather Service forecast is a “chance” (30 percent or more) of rain before the next day, and prior to weekend or other shutdown periods.

The provisions of this subsection do not apply to mechanical site preparation.

(3) Site specific mitigation measures needed to comply with 14 CCR 914 for operations within the WLPZ and unstable areas during the winter period.

HISTORY

1. Amendment filed 12-4-89; operative 2-1-90 (Register 89, No. 50).

2. Amendment of subsections (a), (b) and (c)(3) filed 2-11-91; operative 3-13-91 (Register 91, No. 14).

3. Amendment of subsection (c)(1) filed 11-19-2010; operative 1-1-2011 pursuant to Public Resources Code section 4554.5(a) (Register 2010, No. 47).

Note

Note: Authority cited: Sections 4551, 4551.5 and 4553, Public Resources Code. Reference: Sections 4512, 4513, 4527, 4562.5, 4562.7 and 4582, Public Resources Code.