[Adopted 5-19-2005 by Ord. No. 118]
To encourage the owners of forest land to continue to use their land
for forestry purposes including the long-term production of timber, in order
to promote forest stewardship and the environmental and economic benefits
they provide, including recreation, wildlife preservation and watershed protection.
The timber harvesting regulations contained in this article are intended to
further this policy by:
A. Promoting good forest stewardship and forest management;
B. Protecting the rights of adjoining property owners;
C. Minimizing the potential for adverse environmental impacts.
This article shall apply to all timber harvesting within Kidder Township,
except that:
A. No permit shall be required for:
(1) Removal of up to 15 selected individual trees for landscaping
around permanent structures;
(2) Cutting trees for the creation of a product where the
use is noncommercial and intended to be utilized on the property;
(3) Removal of trees posing a hazard to life or property;
(4) Removal of individual decayed or diseased trees.
B. Submission of a plan prior to the start of operations
is required but no specific approval or permit shall be required for:
(1) Timbering on a tract of ground or property of less than
two acres.
The following words are defined as they are used in this section:
CLEARCUT
A stand in which essentially all trees have been removed.
FELLING
The act of cutting a standing tree so that it falls to the ground.
FOREST MANAGEMENT
The practical application of biological, physical, quantitative,
managerial, economic, social, and policy principles to the regenerations,
management, utilization, and conservation of forests to meet specified goals
and objectives while maintaining the productivity of the forest. Note: forest
management includes management for aesthetics, fish, recreation, urban values,
water, wilderness, wildlife, wood products, and other forest resource values.
INTERMITTENT STREAM
A stream whose water flow normally occurs in the wetter part of the
year (October through April) or following major storm events (per USGS and/or
County Soil Survey Mapping).
LANDING
A place where logs are assembled for transportation in loads.
LANDSCAPE BUFFER
A natural or planted perennial system in a position in the landscape
to mitigate any of a number of adverse environmental impacts, e.g., runoff,
wind, noise, dust, snow.
LOGGING PLAN
A written description with a map of a specific logging operation
prepared before the operation commences.
LOPPING
To cut tops and slash into smaller pieces to allow material to settle
close to the ground.
OPERATOR
The individual, partnership, company, firm, association, or corporation
engaged in the harvest of timber, including his agents or subcontractors or
employees.
OWNER
The individual, partnership, company, firm, association or corporation
which holds title to standing timber and to the land on which it is situated,
including his agents or subcontractor or employees.
PERENNIAL STREAM
A stream whose water flow normally occurs year-round (per USGS and/or
County Soil Survey Mapping).
PROFESSIONAL FORESTER
A person who has a B.S. or acceptable equivalent in forestry from
a four-year school of forestry associated with or accredited by the Society
of American Foresters.
SELECT CUT
A timber harvesting method used on tracts larger than two acres of
land whereby at least 30% of the forest cover (canopy) shall be kept and the
residual trees shall be well distributed. At least 30% of these residual trees
shall be composed of highest value species as determined by a forester and
pursuant to the timber harvesting plan.
SKIDDING
Dragging trees on the ground, by any means, from the stump to the
landing.
SLASH
Debris left after logging, including logs, chunks, bark, branches,
stumps and broken under-story trees or brush.
STANDING PRESCRIPTION
The type of forest management treatment, if any, to be applied to
a particular stand to achieve the stated management objectives. The stand
prescription should include, but not be limited to, detailed instructions
on how that treatment is to be carried out on the ground, the desired residual
stand, and details on any other treatments to be applied.
STAND REGENERATION TREATMENT
A selection, shelterwood, seed tree or clear-cut that is designed
to replace the existing stand with a new stand of young trees.
STREAM
Any channel or conveyance of surface water having a defined bed and
banks, whether natural or artificial, with perennial or intermittent flow.
TOPS
The upper portion of a felled tree not merchantable because of small
size, taper or defect.
Any affected landowner may appeal any decision regarding a timber harvesting
permit within 30 days of issuance or denial by written notification to the
Zoning Hearing Board of Kidder Township.