forest management and stump to forest gate …...documents). standards are also available, upon...

FORESTMANAGEMENTANDSTUMP-TO-FORESTGATECHAIN-OF-CUSTODY

SURVEILLANCEEVALUATIONREPORT

StateofMarylandDNR–ForestServiceMaryland,USA

SCS-FM/COC-00069P

580TaylorAve,E1Annapolis,MD21401

JackPerdue,ForestResourcePlanning,jack.perdue@maryland.govhttp://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/

CERTIFIED EXPIRATION

29/April/2014 28/April/2019

DATEOFFIELDAUDIT24-27/April/2017

DATEOFLASTUPDATE10June2017

SCSContact:BrendanGrady|Director

ForestManagementCertification+1.510.452.8000

bgrady@scsglobalservices.com

2000PowellStreet,Ste.600,Emeryville,CA94608USA

+1.510.452.8000main|+1.510.452.8001faxwww.SCSglobalServices.com

ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|PUBLIC

Version7-0(December2016)|©SCSGlobalServices Page2of75

ForewordCycleinannualsurveillanceaudits

1stannualaudit

2ndannualaudit

3rdannualaudit

4thannualaudit

Other(expansionofscope,MajorCARaudit,specialaudit,etc.):

NameofForestManagementEnterprise(FME)andabbreviationusedinthisreport:

StateofMarylandDNR–ForestService(MDDNR,DNRorFME)

AllcertificatesissuedbySCSundertheaegisoftheForestStewardshipCouncil(FSC)requireannualauditstoascertainongoingconformancewiththerequirementsandstandardsofcertification.ApublicsummaryoftheinitialevaluationisavailableontheFSCCertificateDatabasehttp://info.fsc.org/.

PursuanttoFSCandSCSguidelines,annual/surveillanceauditsarenotintendedtocomprehensivelyexaminethefullscopeofthecertifiedforestoperations,asthecostofafull-scopeauditwouldbeprohibitiveanditisnotmandatedbyFSCauditprotocols.Rather,annualauditsarecomprisedofthreemaincomponents:

§ AfocusedassessmentofthestatusofanyoutstandingconditionsorCorrectiveActionRequests(CARs;seediscussioninsection4.0forthoseCARsandtheirdispositionasaresultofthisannualaudit);

§ Follow-upinquiryintoanyissuesthatmayhavearisensincetheawardofcertificationorpriortothisaudit;and

§ Asnecessarygiventhebreadthofcoverageassociatedwiththefirsttwocomponents,anadditionalfocusonselectedtopicsorissues,theselectionofwhichisnotknowntothecertificateholderpriortotheaudit.

OrganizationoftheReport

Thisreportoftheresultsofourevaluationisdividedintotwosections.SectionAprovidesthepublicsummaryandbackgroundinformationthatisrequiredbytheForestStewardshipCouncil.Thissectionismadeavailabletothegeneralpublicandisintendedtoprovideanoverviewoftheevaluationprocess,themanagementprogramsandpoliciesappliedtotheforest,andtheresultsoftheevaluation.SectionAwillbepostedontheFSCCertificateDatabase(http://info.fsc.org/)nolessthan90daysaftercompletionoftheon-siteaudit.SectionBcontainsmoredetailedresultsandinformationfortheusebytheFME.

TableofContentsSECTIONA–PUBLICSUMMARY..................................................................................................................4

1.GENERALINFORMATION.........................................................................................................................41.1AnnualAuditTeam............................................................................................................................4

1.2TotalTimeSpentonEvaluation.........................................................................................................4

1.3StandardsEmployed..........................................................................................................................4

2ANNUALAUDITDATESANDACTIVITIES....................................................................................................52.1AnnualAuditItineraryandActivities.................................................................................................6

2.2EvaluationofManagementSystems...............................................................................................15

3.CHANGESINMANAGEMENTPRACTICES...............................................................................................15

4.RESULTSOFTHEEVALUATION...............................................................................................................154.1ExistingCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations...................................................................15

4.2NewCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservations........................................................................23

5.STAKEHOLDERCOMMENTS...................................................................................................................265.1StakeholderGroupsConsulted........................................................................................................26

5.2SummaryofStakeholderCommentsandResponsesfromtheTeam,WhereApplicable...............26

6.CERTIFICATIONDECISION......................................................................................................................29

7.CHANGESINCERTIFICATIONSCOPE......................................................................................................29

8.ANNUALDATAUPDATE.........................................................................................................................338.1SocialInformation............................................................................................................................33

8.2AnnualSummaryofPesticideandOtherChemicalUse..................................................................33

SECTIONB–APPENDICES(CONFIDENTIAL)...............................................................................................36Appendix1–ListofFMUsSelectedforEvaluation...............................................................................36

Appendix2–ListofStakeholdersConsulted.........................................................................................36

Appendix3–AdditionalAuditTechniquesEmployed...........................................................................36

Appendix4–PesticideDerogations......................................................................................................36

Appendix5–DetailedObservations......................................................................................................36

Appendix6–ChainofCustodyIndicatorsforFMEs..............................................................................69

SCSTRADEMARKANNEXFORFMES:FSCTRADEMARKS,FSC-STD-50-001V1-2.......................................70UsingtheFSClabelsonproducts...........................................................................................................74

SECTIONA–PUBLICSUMMARY

1.GeneralInformation

1.1AnnualAuditTeamAuditorName: KyleMeister Auditorrole: FSCLeadAuditorQualifications: KyleMeisterisaSeniorCertificationForesterwithSCSGlobalServices.Hehasbeen

withSCSsince2008andhasconductedFSCFMpre-assessments,evaluations,andsurveillanceauditsinBrazil,Panama,Mexico,CostaRica,Bolivia,Indonesia,India,Japan,NewZealand,Spain,andallmajorforestproducingregionsoftheUnitedStates.HehasconductedCOCassessmentsinOregon,Pennsylvania,NorthandSouthCarolina,WestVirginia,Georgia,andCalifornia.Mr.MeisterhassuccessfullycompletedCARLeadVerifier,ISO9001:2008LeadAuditor,andSA8000SocialSystemsIntroductionandBasicAuditorTrainingCourses.HeholdsaB.S.inNaturalResourceEcologyandManagementandaB.A.inSpanishfromtheUniversityofMichigan;andaMasterofForestryfromtheYaleSchoolofForestryandEnvironmentalStudies.

AuditorName: TuckerWatts Auditorrole: SFILeadAuditorQualifications: TuckerWattshasover30years’experienceinforestmanagement,primarilyinthe

southernU.S.HeworkedformanyyearsforInternationalPaperCompany,firstasalandmanagementandprocurementforester,thenasananalyst,andfinallyasanenvironmentalmanagerwithconsiderableinvolvementinforestcertification.TuckerhasaBSinForestryfromLouisianaTech,andMSinForestryfromMississippiStateUniversity,andanMBAfromCentenaryCollege.Hehasparticipatedinmanyforestryorganizations,notablyasaTrainerintheLouisianaMasterLoggerProgram,asateammemberfor“RecommendedForestryBestManagementPracticesforLouisiana”andonvariousSFIStateImplementationCommittees.TuckeristrainedasaTreeFarmGroupCertificationAuditorandhasexperienceinSFIandFSCauditingfrombothsides,asanauditorandasthemanagementrepresentativeofanorganizationbeingaudited.Auditexperienceincludesauditsofpulpandpapermills,containerandboxcompanies,printers,distributers,andauditsofrecoveredfiberandrecycledcontent.

1.2TotalTimeSpentonEvaluationA. Numberofdaysspenton-siteassessingtheapplicant: 3.5B. Numberofauditorsparticipatinginon-siteevaluation: 2C. Additionaldaysspentonpreparation,stakeholderconsultation,andpost-sitefollow-up: 0D. Totalnumberofpersondaysusedinevaluation: 7

1.3StandardsEmployed

1.3.1.ApplicableFSC-AccreditedStandards

Title Version DateofFinalizationFSC-USForestManagementStandard V1-0 July8,2010AllstandardsemployedareavailableonthewebsitesofFSCInternational(www.fsc.org),theFSC-US

(www.fscus.org)ortheSCSStandardspage(www.scsglobalservices.com/certification-standards-and-program-documents).Standardsarealsoavailable,uponrequest,fromSCSGlobalServices(www.SCSglobalServices.com).

1.3.2.SCSInterimFSCStandards

Title Version DateofFinalizationSCSFSCChainofCustodyIndicatorsforForestManagementEnterprises

V6-0 December2016

ThisSCSInterimStandardwasdevelopedbymodifyingSCS’GenericInterimStandardtoreflectforestmanagementintheregionandbyincorporatingrelevantcomponentsoftheDraftRegional/NationalStandardandcommentsfromstakeholders.Morethanonemonthpriortothestartofthefieldevaluation,theSCSDraftInterimStandardforthecountry/regionwassentoutforcommenttostakeholdersidentifiedbyFSCInternational,SCS,theforestmanagersunderevaluation,andtheNationalInitiative.Acopyofthestandardisavailableatwww.scsglobalservices.com/certification-standards-and-program-documentsoruponrequestfromSCSGlobalServices(www.SCSglobalServices.com).

2AnnualAuditDatesandActivities

2.1AnnualAuditItineraryandActivities

Complex Location Acres Activity Note Auditteamnotes

MondayApril24-AfternoonSites

NA FMEoffices NA Openingmeeting

Introductions,FMEupdate,reviewauditscope,auditplan,

intro/updatetoFSCandSCSstandardsandprotocols,reviewof

openCARs/OBS,finalsiteselection

SignificantprogressinupdatingtheforestinventoryandmodelingwasrecentlycompletedintheEasternRegion.

WR25 Tankard 29.0 Reforestation complete

Naturalregenerationofloblollypineattempted,butdidnotmeetstockingrequirementsof300treesperacreinallareasofthestand.Soreplantingwasconductedon7X10spacingfollowedbyaherbicideapplicationtoreleasepines.IndividualretainedlegacyhardwoodandpineswereGPS'dandprovidedtoherbicideapplicator.Verylittledamagetonon-targetspecies,asconfirmedinapplicationflightlinesandapplicationrecords.Propertyboundariesonfoursidesofthetimbersaleleftwithabufferofscreentreesthatfunctionaslegacytrees.Green-upwitnessinadjacentstands.ApplicatorslicenseforGlennMartinwitnessed.Contactscontainrequiredelements.WR25

TankardTract,Stand11 26.8

HerbicideApplication 8ozArsenal+2.5ozHerbimax

WR25WR25Tankard,S11 33.5 FinalHarvest 99%complete

LegacyandseedtreesconsistingofpondpineandoakGPS'dandmarkedwithbluepaint.Roadsmattedtoprotectaccess.Ditchesarecleanandstreamisfreeflowing.Standwillbelefttoregenerateandnoseedtreesaretoberemoved.No-harvestareasmappedandequipmentlimitedtoskidtrails.Bufferleftalongroadforaestheticmanagement.Green-uprequirementsmetbyadjacentstands.FuturehabitatforDelmarvaFoxSquirrel(DFS)andForestInteriorDwellingSpecies.Lowerelevationsite,sooperationsrequireddryerconditions.Contactscontainrequiredelements.

P02 Furnace 447.0 RxBurn 60%complete

ComplexofbeachduneswithhabitatandpotentialhabitatforRTEplantsandinsects.Observationofhabitatmanagement,includingdeer-exclusiondevices.Discussionofhabitatandpopulationmonitoringandprescribedfirerotationtomanageforamosaicofhabitatovertimeandspace.Reviewofburnplan,prescribedfiresafety,training&qualifications.DiscussiononcollaborationwithothergovernmentagenciesandTNConprescribedfire.

NazarethChurchT8,s10&14 14.4 FinalHarvest 50%complete

Retentionofpondpineandshort-leafpine,allGPS'd.90year-oldregeneratedafteragriculturalabandonment.ObservationofSMZwithharvestexclusionandequipmentexclusionbuffers.Gooddistributionanduseofslashtocoverskidtrails.Observationofhistoricculturalsiteandprotectionmeasures.Temporarybridgewillbeusedtocrosscreek.

NazarethChurchT4S1,4,8&10-Honeywell 118.0 1stThinning 20%complete

Salesfromfourfiscalyearslumpedintoonetoenhancebiddingprocess.Boundariesmarkedwithyellowpainandplacards.ObservationofSMZ,whichwasallowedtobethinnedto70BA(60BAisallowed).IntendedtobefutureDFScorearea.Discussiononuseofmonitoringresultstoupdatemanagementstrategyandplans.Man-madeditchbuffered.Discussedbufferingrequirementsforman-madeditches.Minorskinningofresidualtrees.Debrisusedtostabilizeskidtrails.

TuesdayApril25-Group1Sites

FMEOffices Documentandrecordreview,and

employeeinterviewsReviewoftraining,complaints,stakeholdercommunications,ownership,andleaserecords.

ParkerForestry

Documentandrecordreview,andemployeeinterviews

Reviewofcontracts,harvestrecords(includingCOCforstumpage,lump-sum,andgatewood),post-harvestmonitoring,chemicaluse

RFRichardson,Stand1 35.8

NaturalRegeneration complete

2015regenerationsurveyfollowingclearcutandtochecksurvivalofoverstoryretention(oakandpine);2,000treesperacre,butsomepatchinesstoregenerationsositewastreatedwithanaerialspraytoreducebroadleafandherbaceouscompetition;post-sprayregenerationofloblollywas2,500-3,000treesperacre,whichlikelywillrequireapre-commercialthinning,butnosupplementalplanting.Discussiononrepairingrutsandsitepreparationoptions.

LouisHornerTractStands6,11&16 62.3 1stThinning complete

ObjectivetoenhanceFIDShabitatandprotectnaturaltemporalstreamconnectedtoperennialtidalstreamwithincoastalprotectionzone.Observationofhardwoodriparianforest(protectedarea)andstreamcrossingwith16"culvert,currentlycoveredwithleaves,butwaterisstillflowingfreely.Discussiononculvertsizing,invasivespeciescontrolandprevention.Observationofhistoricsite,skidtrails,propertyboundaries,andresidualstand,allofwhichareingoodcondition.Thinnedto90BA.

GreenhillComplex,Stands17,20,23&28 205.0 1stThinning 45%complete

FutureDFScorearea,nootherspecialfeatures.Thinnedto90BA.Skidtrailscoveredwithslashandevidencethatmatswereusedinsensitivesectionsoftrails.Littletonoresidualstanddamage.Gatewoodsale.

WarringtonTract 1stThinning 15%complete

Stumpagesaleinwhichoperationswerestoppedbyloggingcrewduetowetconditions.Observationofhardwoodswamp,whichwasnotenteredorharvested.Useofslashonskidtrails.Someslashhasbeenpiled,butlikelywillbedistributedoverthesitewhenoperationsresume.Discussionontheeffectsofageclassesandtimberqualityonpotentialtimbermarkets.

TuesdayApril25-Group2Sites

WR10CorddryTract,Stand12 92.4 1stThinning 60%complete

ErosionandSedimentationPlandiscussed.Noentranceintoarea.Bridgeusedforcrossing.Bridge

hasbeenremovedandareastabilized.Densityreducedto70BA.Treeselectionforthinningwell

WR09PerkinsTract,Stand3 36.7

HerbicideApplication

16ozArsenal+2ozEscort+2.5ozHerbimax

Shelterwoodcutin2011.Lowseedfallandunderstockedregeneration.Chemicalsite

preparation8/16.WitnessedanddiscussedSpillManagementandApplicationPlan.Ditches

bufferedduringspray.Over-sprayonadjacentneighbor.Claimdiscussedandsettledwithlandowner.Seedtreeswillberemoved,soil

scarifiedandplanted.

WR11 Shockley 24.7 Afforestation complete

Afforestationofagriculturefield.WitnessedReforestationPlan.Powerlinebufferedfortrees.Handplantingat7X10spacing.Survivalof485treesperacre.Boundarylinesareclearlyvisible.

Timmons-DonawayTract,Stands3&7 54.6 1stThinning complete

ErosionandSedimentationPlanreviewedanddiscussed.Tractcheckforendangeredspecies.

Thinningto70-0basalareagoal.NocutbufferforSMZ.Man-madeditcheshavebeenbufferedwithnoentry.Timbersusedtocrossditch.Banksarecleanandstabilized.Minorskinningofresidualstand.Treeselectionduringthinningimproves

standhealth.Norutting.

WednesdayApril26-Group1Sites

D21BellTract,Stand2 16.4 1stThinning complete

DiscussedErosionandSedimentationPlan.ResidualBAis67.Someruttinginmainskidtrailnotedinmonitoring.Witnessedruttingand

discussedruttingpolicyandhandlingofissue.Goodtreeselection.

D10HuhneTractStand1 79.9 1stThinning 10%complete

Vernalpoolsprotectedwith50'nocutriparianarea.Thinningstandto60BA.Erosionand

SedimentationPlandeveloped.Minorrutting.Nodamagetosoilorwater.Boundarywelldefined.SMZflagged.Goodtreeselection.Debrisusedto

stabilizeskidtrails.

MarshyhopeComplexStands1,2,8,13&15 138.0 1stThinning 75%complete

HighConservationArea.CriticalAreaPlandiscussed.ErosionandSedimentationPlanwas

developed.Accesscontrolledbygate.Debrisusedforstabilizationofskidtrails.Goodutilization.Noruttingobserved.Saleareaidentifiedwithflagging.

MarshyhopeTractStands1&49 70.2 1stThinning complete

CriticalAreaPlandiscussed.Streamsbuffered.ErosionandSedimentationPlancompleted.

Thinningto61BA.VirginiaPinecorridorsremaintoprotectresidualsandprovidewildlifehabitat.Debrisusedtostabilizeskidtrails.Steambufferidentifiedwithflagging.Noentranceinbuffer.Bufferhasbeenexpandedtocompensateforslopingtowardstream.Interviewedloggeron

training,safetymeetingsandPPE.

D12 Marshyhope 129.0 RxBurn complete

PrescribedburnconductedforNaturalHeritageCommission.DiscussedandwitnessedBurnPlan.Benefitsincludewildlife(Turkeyswitnessedonsite)

andfuelreduction.Interactionwithprivatelandownersandcitizensdiscussed.Signsplacedonroadduringburn.Signwithcontactinformation

remainsafterburn(Witnessedonsite.)

C03MessengerTractStand4 26.4 1stThinning complete

Thinningbasalarea67.Debrisusedtostabilizeskidtrails.Treeselectionimprovesresidualstand.

C03MessengerBranch 67.0 RxBurn complete

PrescribedburnconductedforquailatIdyleWildManagementArea.DiscussedandwitnessedBurnPlan.Burnwillbeconductedat2-3yearintervals.Benefitsincludewildlifeandrareplants.(Turkeyswitnessedonsite)andfuelreduction.Plansaretoexpandburningprogramanddevelopa15year

WednesdayApril26-Group2Sites

PowellTract FinalHarvest planned,butnotharvested

Observationofpre-harvestmeetingbetweenforestryandloggingcontractor.Completionofpre-harvestchecklistandmapreviewwithlogger,discussionofPPEanduseofsignagenearroadandtrailentrances,useofmatsandotherBMPsnearsensitiveareas,locationofsensitiveresources,etc.

P02FurnaceT126S3&4 34.0 1stThinning complete

FIDS,DFSfuturecoreandESAspresent.Observationofprotectionsforvernalpools.Thinnedto66BA,whichjustbelowdesiredBArange(70-90);however,smallertreesmeantthatdesiredtreesperacreweremet.DiscussionofopportunitiestocollaboratewithNaturalHeritagestaff.

P05MilburnLndgT17S11 4.7 FinalHarvest 50%complete

Observationofplantationestablishedinthe1940swithsignificanthardwoodcomponentandlargepines.TwoESAtypes,DFSFutureCore,naturalstreamwithSMZmarkedwithflagging,andrecreationaltrails.Harvestwasclosedduetowetconditions.Allsensitivefeatureswereavoidedduringharvest,includingretentiontrees.Observationofpropertyboundaries,whicharenotedwithyellowpaintand/orsignage.

Mohr-MilburnLandingT15S30 35.0 1stThinning 50%complete

FIDS,perennialstreamwith125-150ftno-cutbuffer,DFSFutureCorearea,thinnedto86BA,hardwoodretentionincludesyellowpoplarandoak.Discussionofstreamprotectionsandhardwoodutilization,whichislimitedduetoproximitytomills.Observationofpropertyboundaries.

S27WellsTract-Stands2,5&7 238.9 1stThinning complete

DFSFutureCorearea,and50-ftbufferestablishedaroundditch.Thinnedto73BA.Loggerhadtopulloutduetowetconditionsatonepoint;nomajorissueswithroadsandskidtrailsobserved.Secondthinningsandfinalharvestshouldhaveopportunitiesforreleaseandretentionofmast-producingspecies,mainlyoaks.Observationofpropertyboundaries.

HandyTract-Stands3,6,7,15&16 137.3 1stThinning 60%complete

Fourageclassespresent,buttreesareofsimilarsizes.Thinnedto75BA.Observationofstandboundaries,whicharemarkedwithtape.Discussionontimbermarketsandtheimpactsontypesofharvestequipmentavailable.

2.2EvaluationofManagementSystems

SCSdeploysinterdisciplinaryteamswithexpertiseinforestry,socialsciences,naturalresourceeconomics,andotherrelevantfieldstoassessanFME’sconformancetoFSCstandardsandpolicies.Evaluationmethodsincludedocumentandrecordreview,implementingsamplingstrategiestovisitabroadnumberofforestcoverandharvestprescriptiontypes,observationofimplementationofmanagementplansandpoliciesinthefield,andstakeholderanalysis.Whenthereismorethanoneteammember,teammembersmayreviewpartsofthestandardsbasedontheirbackgroundandexpertise.Onthefinaldayofanevaluation,teammembersconvenetodeliberatethefindingsoftheassessmentjointly.Thisinvolvesananalysisofallrelevantfieldobservations,stakeholdercomments,andrevieweddocumentsandrecords.Whereconsensusbetweenteammemberscannotbeachievedduetolackofevidence,conflictingevidenceordifferencesofinterpretationofthestandards,theteamisinstructedtoreporttheseinthecertificationdecisionsectionand/orinobservations.

3.ChangesinManagementPractices

Therewerenosignificantchangesinthemanagementand/orharvestingmethodsthataffecttheFME’sconformancetotheFSCstandardsandpolicies.

SignificantchangesoccurredsincethelastevaluationthatmayaffecttheFME’sconformancetoFSCstandardsandpolicies(describe):

4.ResultsoftheEvaluation

4.1ExistingCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservationsFindingNumber:2016.1

Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification

3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReportNextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Otherdeadline(specify):nodeadline

FSCIndicator: FSC-US,6.3.a.1,6.3.dand6.3.eNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):AccordingtotheFMPandinterviewswithFMEstaff,nativeconiferspecieswerelikelymoreprevalentonthelandscapethantheyarecurrently.FMEisconsideringexpandingtheuseofnativeandnon-nativeconifersoncertainsitesasawildlifemanagementcomponent,torestorenativespecies(bothconiferandbroadleaf),andpossiblytoadapttoclimatechangeandinvasivepests/pathogens.Therewasonesitewherenativeconiferrestorationwithwhitepinewaswrittenintothesiteplanasanoption,butFMEstaffweredebatingonwhetherornottocontinuewiththatmanagementtrajectorygivendeerbrowsepressure.Certainactivitiesobserved,specificallyretentionofhemlock,whitepine,

pitchpineandVirginiapine,withinthinningandregenerationharvestunitslikelycontributetomaintainingand/orincreasingnativeconifercover.However,atthelandscapelevel,FMEhasnotassessedthedesiredfutureconditionofthenativeandnon-nativeconifercomponent,includingselectionofspeciesthatwillmeetsocial,economic,andecologicalobjectivesdependingonsiteconditions.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):FMEshouldconsiderconductingalandscape-levelanalysisofnativeandnon-nativeconiferdistributionanddevelopdesiredfutureconditionsfortheirdistributionbasedonvariablessuchaswildlife,restoration,hydrology,adaptationtoclimatechangeandpests/pathogens,socioeconomicconditions,etc.Justificationforanyuseofnon-nativeornon-localgrowingstockshouldbejustifiedintheanalysis.VariousindicatorsofCriterion6.3maybeusefulinthisassessment;however,ofmostconcernare6.3.a.1,6.3.dand6.3.e.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

WehavebegunaconiferanalysisforourWesternMarylandstateforests,beginningwiththeGreenRidgeStateForest.Thiseffortdisplayedtherawconifercoveratapproximately441acres.Thisprojecthasidentifiedindividualtreesfromsix-inchresolutionimagery,soeveninapurestandofpinetheanalysiswillstillshow"holes"betweenthetrees.ThisGISdatalayerwillshoweverythingovertwometers,sosmallerplantssuchasmountainlaurelwillnotbedisplayed.WewillreviewthisdraftanalysisbeforerunningsimilartestsfortheGarrettcountystateforests.Duringthepastdecade,nestinggoshawkshavebeendiscoveredinplantationsofredpine.GoshawkshadnotbeenseeninMarylandformanyyears,sothiswasapleasantsurprise.Thesestandshadbeentargetedforregeneration,tobereplacedwithnativehardwoods.Sincethen,ourstateforeststaffhasworkedwiththeNaturalHeritageProgramtoidentifythestandslikelytobeattractivetogoshawksandactuallyplantomodifythesestandsusingsilviculturalpracticestoenhancethehabitforgoshawk.SeePotomacGarrettStateForestannualworkplanFY2017,pages114-115,andSavageRiverStateForestannualworkplanFY2017,page78-79.Coniferswhenpresentinstandsproposedformanagementareidentifiedandwhenappropriate,givenpreferenceforretentioninthenextstand.Thiscanbenoticedinourrecentannualworkplans.ReviewofPotomacGarrettStateForestsearchfor“conifer”willhelpidentifythisplannedwork.Thisawarenessfortheneedtosupportlandscapeandspeciesdiversityhasbeenidentifiedwithsuchlanguage:“Whereappropriate,dominantandco-dominanttreeswillberemovedthroughsingletreeandgroupselection,toreleasesuitablewhitepineseedlingsandsaplingsfromcompetition.Thiswillfacilitateexpansionoftheimportantmixedhardwood/conifercovertype.”RedsprucewasonceaneconomicallyimportantsoftwoodspeciesinGarrettCountybuthassincebeenharvestedtothepointonnon-existence.Pocketsofafewtreesarediscoveredandfavoredinmanagementpractices.Managershaveevengonetothepointofdiggingwildseedlingsandtransplantingthemontothestateforests.

NorwaysprucehasbeensuccessfullyplantedonSavageRiverStateForestsomedecadesago.Theauditteamshavevisitedthesestandsandsilviculturalworkduringpreviousaudits.Withthesuccessoftheseplantationsandthedifficultyofgettingredsprucebackintothestands,usingnon-nativeNorwaysprucehasbeendiscussed.WehavemetwiththeNaturalHeritageProgramregardingthisconcept.Whiletheystatedthattheywouldnotpromoteplantingofnon-nativespecies,theycouldseenoreasonnotallowit.WeassuredthemthatanyplanforusingNorwaysprucewouldnotresultinlargeplantationsbutsmallpockets.Furtherdiscussionswillensue,buttheopeningdialoghasbeenpromising.

SCSreview SCSverifiedthegoshawkinformationincludedinthetwoAWPs.NortherngoshawksoccurinNorthAmericaandEurasiainavarietyofforesthabitats.Nestsmaybebuiltinbroadleaforconifertreesdependingonfactorssuchastreesizeandspeciescomposition,canopyclosure,adjacentforageareas,andotherfactors.IntheEasternNorthAmerica,goshawksmayoccurinmixedtreespeciesstands.AccordingtointerviewswithDNRstaff,managementforgoshawkscanbecompatiblewithobjectivesforconiferretentionandregeneration,butmustbeplannedincooperationwithWildlifeandHeritagestaff.TheRedpinestandmaybemaintainedaspartofthisspecies’management.Sofar,riskofRedpinebecominginvasiveorcausingothereffectsisverylow;RedpineoccurswithseveralofthespeciesoffloraandfaunaofWesternMaryland,thoughinecosystemsoftheMidwestandNortheastoftheUSA.FMEdemonstratedadraftofitsNorwayspruceguidelines,whichreferencesaguidelineonlimiteduseofthisspeciesunderspecificcircumstancesasapossiblefunctionalsurrogateforthelossofEasternhemlockduetoitssimilarcovertypeandlongevity.FMEpreparedasummaryofhistoricalconifercoverusingpublicationsfromtheMarylandGeologicalSurveydatingbetween1900-1916.ConiferdensitiesreportedoverthecountiesoftheWesternRegion’sStateForestswerelowerinthatperiodandthathardwoodsdominated.Harvestingofconifersbeforeandduringthattime,however,likelyreducedtheirabundanceanddistribution.Duringtheaudit,moreinformationwasprovidedbymanagersintheWesternRegion:Regardingtheconifercoversummary,thereisnosummaryavailableyetthatcomparesthe1900stotoday.The1900informationdescribestheentirecounty.Atthattime,wedidn'thavethestateforestsystemwehavetoday.Today,wecandissectthecountytolookatjustourstateforests,whichiswhatwehavedone.ConiferCoveronWesternMarylandStateForestsGreenRidge-441acSavageRiver-6,600acPotomac-Garrett-964acA2016county-wideanalysishasnotbeendone,butcanbeeasilywithinacoupledays.Itwouldmakeaninterestingprojecttoseehowwelltheinfoprovidedfrom

1900canbecomparedtotoday.Wewillrunthatdataandmakethatsummaryandifitlookslikeacomparisoncanbemade,willincludeinthenextupdatestothelong-termmanagementplans.WhilecurrentSustainableForestManagementPlansandAnnualWorkPlansfortheWesternRegioncontaininformationaboutconifercoverandsomerelatedobjectives,suchasNortherngoshawkhabitat,therecentinformationaddedtotheanalysisisonlypartiallycompleteandnotfullyincorporatedintothemanagementsystem.RefertoOBS2017.1.

StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)

FindingNumber:2016.2

FSCIndicator: FSC-US,6.5.dand6.5.g.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):Trailfundingand/orrestrictionsonitsusemaynotallowforthetimelymaintenanceandclosureneedsofexistingauthorizedandunauthorizedtrails.Theauditteamobservedinstanceswheretrailmaintenanceforexistingtrailsdidnotoccurduetolackoffundsordifficultyinobtainingthem.Thereisalsosomeconcernfromstakeholdersonthedensityoftrails,particularlyitseffectonhuntingsuccess.Furthermore,thedensityofunauthorizedtrailsmayresultinalossofproductiveandprotectedforestarea.Fewerrestrictionsonuseoftrailfundsmayresultongreateropportunitiesforforestry,heritageandrecreationalstafftocollaborateontheprotectionofsensitiveresourcesatreducedcostwhileofferingusergroupsapositiverecreationalexperience.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):Recreationaltrailsandwatercrossingsshouldbemaintained,and/orreconstructedtoreduceshortandlong-termenvironmentalimpacts,habitatfragmentation,soilandwaterdisturbanceandcumulativeadverseeffects,whileallowingforcustomaryusesanduserights.Thisincludes:

• accesstoallroadsandtrails(temporaryandpermanent),includingrecreationaltrails,andoff-roadtravel,iscontrolled,aspossible,tominimizeecologicalimpacts;

• traildensityisminimized;• erosionisminimized;• sedimentdischargetostreamsisminimized;• thereisfreeupstreamanddownstreampassageforaquaticorganisms;• impactsoftrailsystemsonwildlifehabitatandmigrationcorridorsareminimized;• areaconvertedtotrailsisminimized;• habitatfragmentationisminimized;• unneededtrailsareclosedandrehabilitated.

RecreationuseontheFMUshouldbemanagedtoavoidnegativeimpactstosoils,water,plants,wildlifeandwildlifehabitats.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

WhilethereisstillmuchworktobedoneregardingtheWesternMarylandstateforestsroadsandtrails,wehavemadegreatprogressatthesametime.LostLandRunroadprojectwascompletedin2016,atacostover$725,000.NextinlineforextensivemaintenanceworkaretheGordonRoadandTwiggRoadprojects.Theauditteamvisitedthesesitesaspartofapreviousaudit.Thisprojecthasbeenfundedatover$700,000andwillbeginengineering,planningandcontractreleaseinFY2018,whichbeginsJuly1,2017.AllotherstateforestsroadprojectshavebeenenteredintoourCriticalMaintenanceprojectqueueandarewaitingfortobefunded.

EachyearthestateforestsareawardedRecreationTrailGrantsfromtheMarylandStateHighwayAdministration.Thisgranthadbeencappedat$30,000perprojectbuthasrecentlybeenincreasedto$40,000.However,thisdoesmeanthatfewerprojectscanbefundedandthesegrantshavebecomemorecompetitive.DuringarecentmeetingwiththeDNRSecretary,DeputySecretaryandAssistantSecretary,fundingforstateforestroadsandtrailswasdiscussedasanissueofimportanceandhowthisrelatestoourforestcertificationprogram.

SCSreview DuringdiscussionswithFMEstaffduringtheaudit,itwasclearthatlittleelsecanbedonecurrentlytopushforgreaterflexibilityinfundingforroadandtrailmaintenance.AstheFMEdetailsabove,collaborationonlargerprojectsalreadyoccurs.Whileprogresshasbeenmadeincommunicatingthebenefitsofgreaterflexibilityandcollaborationonsmallerprojects,thismaybealong-termeffortthatrequiressupportfromkeystakeholders.Inthemeantime,FMEisprioritizingmaintenanceprojectsbyfixingcriticalpointsintheroadandtrailsystem,asobservedinthefieldandconfirmedininterviewswithstaff.

FSCIndicator: FSC-US,6.9.aNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):DuringinterviewswithFMEstaff,therewasdiscussiononpossiblyexpandingtheuseofNorwayspruceandRedpinetomitigatethelossofnativeconifers,andtocontinuetoserveashabitatforRTEspecies.Anyexpandedusebeyondthecurrentlyplantedareawouldhavetobejustifiedandbasedonscientificdata.Siberiancrapabbleisnolongerproducedinthestatenursery,buthasbeenusedinthepastonearlysuccessionalhabitatprojects.Stateseedmixesforuseonloglandingsandothersensitiveareasincludenon-nativecloversandgrasses.CurrentrecommendationsfromheritagestaffaretoavoiduseofSiberiancrabappleandtheseedmix.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):Theuseofexoticspeciesshouldbecontingentontheavailabilityofcrediblescientificdataindicatingthatanysuchspeciesarenon-invasiveandthattheirapplicationdoesnotposearisktonativebiodiversity,includinganysignificantdisplacementofnativespecies.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

Nonon-nativespecieshavebeenplantedonStateForestsinrecentyears.Withtheriseofwhitetaildeerpopulationsandtheresultingincreasedpressuresonforestregeneration,thedifficultyinsecuringredspruceseedlingsandthecontinuedthreatonnativehemlockfromHemlockWoolyAdelgid,non-nativealternatives,specificallyNorwayspruce,havebeenconsideredasaviableoptioninreturningconiferstotheforestlandscapeofWesternMaryland.Thiscouldbejustpartofalargerplanwhichwouldincludefavoringnativeconifersalreadyinthestandandmanagingalreadyestablishednon-nativeconiferplantationssuchasredpineandNorwayspruce.See2016.1FMUresponseandNorwaySpruceinForestManagement.

SCSreview FMEdemonstratedadraftofitsNorwayspruceguidelines,whichreferencesaguidelineonlimiteduseofthisspeciesunderspecificcircumstancesasapossiblefunctionalsurrogateforthelossofEasternhemlockduetoitssimilarcovertypeandlongevity.RedpineoptionsarediscussedinOBS2016.1.PotentialoptionsforexpandeduseofNorwayspruceandRedpineshouldbeincorporatedintomanagementplanningdocuments,asiscurrentlyunderway.RefertoOBS2017.1.

FSCIndicator: FSC-US,7.1.b,7.1.cand7.1.e.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):Themanagementplandescribesthehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).However,thehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthemanagementplancouldbeexpandedtoincludetheknowledgepresentedbylocalforestrystaffduringtheaudit,whichcouldhelpsetthestageforconiferobjectivesonthelandscape.ESAplansmaynotbebeingcompletedontimeaccordingtodraftannualworkplansreviewed.Accordingtothesedrafts,ESAplansforFY2017weretobecompletedoverthewinterof2016.Afailuretocompletetheseplansmayresultinlimitedopportunitiestoavoidnegativeimpactstotheseareas,especiallywhereactivemanagementmaybenefitthespeciesorcommunitiesfoundinthem.ESAmanagementplanssetthestagefortheimplementationofmaintenanceandrecoveryobjectivesforRTEspeciesand/orsensitiveecosystems,aswellasdetailmonitoringstrategiesthatarecompatiblewiththeseobjectives.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshoulddescribehistoricalecologicalconditions,historyoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).TheFMP,specificallyforESAs,shouldincludeadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlineactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:

• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandnaturalcommunities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityandwildlifehabitats(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.

FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

WehavemetwiththeWildlife&HeritageService(WHS)leadershipwiththesolepurposeofcontinuingthedevelopmentoftheEcologicallySignificantAreadatafortheWesternMarylandstateforests.TheWHSstaffpersonwhohasstartedthisworkbyoutliningtheESAareashasnotcompletedthisworkyet.Whilethisprojectisimportanttoourforestmanagementplanningefforts,itisnotwithinourauthoritytoforcethisworktobedone.WehaveandwillcontinuetoaddressthisissuewithDNRstaffandlookforcreativealternatives.

SCSreview TheportionoftheOBSonconifersintheWesternRegion(7.1.band7.1.c)hasbeencontinuedandexpandeduponinOBS2017.1.In2016,theFY2017AnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)werestillunderdraftandthustheissuewithincompleteAWPswasnotanonconformity.Whilemanyofthesensitiveresourcesinquestionmaybemaintainedunderpassivemanagement,theAWPsarebeing

4.2NewCorrectiveActionRequestsandObservationsFindingNumber:2017.1

Selectone: MajorCAR MinorCAR ObservationFMUCAR/OBSissuedto(whenmorethanoneFMU):Deadline Pre-conditiontocertification/recertification

3monthsfromIssuanceofFinalReport12monthsornextaudit(surveillanceorre-evaluation)Observation–responseisoptionalOtherdeadline(specify):

FSCIndicator: FSC-US7.1.b,7.1.c.,and7.1.dNon-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):ContinuationofOBS2016.1,2016.3,and2016.4.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,theSustainableForestManagementPlans(SFMPs)fortheWesternRegionarecurrentlybeingrevisedforseveralreasons,includingupdatingtheinformationaboutthehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthelandscapeanddesiredfutureconditionsforthesespecies.SomeoptionsforconifermanagementarebeingexercisedasdescribedinAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs),asinthecaseoftheNortherngoshawk.TheSFMPsdescribethehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).However,thehistoricalpresenceofconifersinthemanagementplancouldbeexpandedtoincludetheknowledgepresentedbylocalforestrystaffin2016,whichcouldhelpsetthestageforconiferobjectivesonthelandscape.FMEisconsideringexpandingtheuseofnative(e.g.,Easternwhitepine,Easternhemlock,Virginiapine,Shortleafpine,etc.)andnon-nativeconifers(e.g.,NorwayspruceandRedpine)oncertainsitesasawildlifemanagementcomponent,torestorenativespecies(bothconiferandbroadleaf),andpossiblytoadapttoclimatechangeandinvasivepests/pathogens.Atthelandscapelevel,FMEhascompletedapartialassessmentoftheconifercoverasdescribedinitsresponsetoOBS2016.1,butawaytocomparethecounty-levelinformationfromtheearly1900stotodayisincomplete.InformationoncurrentconifercoveronWesternStateForestsiscomplete.Atthelandscapelevel,thedesiredfutureconditionofthenativeandnon-nativeconifercomponent,includingselectionofspeciesthatwillmeetsocial,economic,andecologicalobjectivesdependingonsiteconditions,hasnotbeenfullycompleted.FMEstaffpointedoutthatmaintenanceofcurrentconditionsmaybedesirableinmanyinstances.However,opportunitiestoexploreconnectivitybetweenconifercovertypesforwildlifemovement,hydrologyorotherobjectivescouldbeexplored.

implementedwithoutsufficientreviewfromNaturalHeritagestaff.Notonlyisreviewofoptionsforconservationand/ormaintenanceofRTEspeciesandcommunitiesanintegralpartoftheFME’sprocedures,italsoissomethingthatstakeholdersexpectfromFSC-certifiedentities.RefertoMinorCAR2017.2.

StatusofCAR: ClosedUpgradedtoMajor

Otherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)X

CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshoulddescribehistoricalecologicalconditions,historyoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).TheFMEshoulddescribea)currentconditionsofthetimberandnon-timberforestresourcesbeingmanaged;b)desiredfutureconditions;c)historicalecologicalconditions;andd)applicablemanagementobjectivesandactivitiestomovetheFMUtowarddesiredfutureconditionsFMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

SCSreview StatusofCAR: Closed

UpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)

FSCIndicator: FSC-US7.1.e.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):UpgradeofOBS2016.4.In2016,theFY2017AnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)werestillunderdraftandthustheissuewithincompleteAWPswasnotanonconformity.Whilemanyofthesensitiveresourcesinquestionmaybemaintainedunderpassivemanagement,theAWPsarebeingimplementedwithoutsufficientreviewfromNaturalHeritagestaff.Notonlyisreviewofoptionsforconservationand/ormaintenanceofRTEspeciesandcommunitiesanintegralpartoftheFME’sprocedures,italsoissomethingthatstakeholdersexpectfromFSC-certifiedentitiestoconformtoindicator7.1.e.TheAWPsareacomponentofthemanagementplan.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,ofconcernisthesensitivenatureofsomeofthenaturalheritageinformation.Asisthecaseinmoststates,confidentialinformationmaybeexcludedfrompubliclyavailabledocumentsinordertoprotecttheresource.

CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):TheFMPshallincludeadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlineactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:

• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandnaturalcommunities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityandwildlifehabitats(seeCriterion6.3);• waterresources(seeCriterion6.5);• soilresources(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.

FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

SCSreview StatusofCAR: Closed

UpgradedtoMajorOtherdecision(refertodescriptionabove)

FSCIndicator: FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.15,1.16,and6.1.Non-Conformity(orBackground/JustificationinthecaseofObservations):Theappropriatetrademarksymbol(®insuperscriptfont)doesnotaccompanythefirstuseof“FSC”and“ForestStewardshipCouncil”ontheFME’swebsite.Notrademarkapprovalrecordsforthethreedetecteduseswereavailable(brochure,website,andAWPtemplate).Thewebsitedoesnothavethepromotionalpanel,oratleasttheFSCtrademarklicensecode,inaprominentplace.CorrectiveActionRequest(orObservation):FMEshallimplementcorrectiveactionstoresolvethenonconformitiesdescribedabove.FMEresponse(includinganyevidencesubmitted)

• FMEemailedevidenceon28April2017fortheSCSlogouseapproval(recorded20April2017)ofthecountyguide.

SCSreview

5.StakeholderComments

InaccordancewithSCSprotocols,consultationwithkeystakeholdersisanintegralcomponentoftheevaluationprocess.Stakeholderconsultationtakesplacepriorto,concurrentwith,andfollowingfieldevaluations.Distinctpurposesofsuchconsultationinclude:

§ TosolicitinputfromaffectedpartiesastothestrengthsandweaknessesoftheFME’smanagement,relativetothestandard,andthenatureoftheinteractionbetweenthecompanyandthesurroundingcommunities.

§ Tosolicitinputonwhethertheforestmanagementoperationhasconsultedwithstakeholdersregardingidentifyinganyhighconservationvalueforests(HCVFs).

Principalstakeholdergroupsareidentifiedbaseduponresultsfrompastevaluations,listsofstakeholdersfromtheFMEunderevaluation,andadditionalstakeholdercontactsfromothersources(e.g.,chairoftheregionalFSCworkinggroup).Thefollowingtypesofgroupsandindividualsweredeterminedtobeprincipalstakeholdersinthisevaluation:

5.1StakeholderGroupsConsultedENGOs EducationalinstitutionsIndustrygroups CitizenAdvisoryCouncilmembers

StakeholderconsultationactivitiesareorganizedtogiveparticipantstheopportunitytoprovidecommentsaccordingtogeneralcategoriesofinterestbasedonthethreeFSCchambers,aswellastheSCSInterimStandard,ifonewasused.Thetablebelowsummarizesthemajorcommentsreceivedfromstakeholdersandtheassessmentteam’sresponse.Whereastakeholdercommenthastriggeredasubsequentinvestigationduringtheevaluation,thecorrespondingfollow-upactionandconclusionsfromSCSarenotedbelow.

5.2SummaryofStakeholderCommentsandResponsesfromtheTeam,WhereApplicable

FMEhasnotreceivedanystakeholdercommentsfrominterestedpartiesresultingfromstakeholderoutreachactivitiesduringthisannualaudit.Stakeholdercomments SCSResponseEconomicconcernsNonereceived. SocialconcernsIwouldliketosee: 1.AllCitizensAdvisoryCommittee(CAC)meetingsand

1.AlistoftheCACmeetingsforthepast2years,andwhatrepresentativesattendedeachone.2.Howtheannualworkplanswereadvertisedforpubliccomment(beyondjustpostingthemontheDNRwebsite).Forinstance:inthenewspaper?Whatnewspapers,when.Ontheradio?Whatstations,when.3.8likesonFacebook?Igetmorefrompostingapictureofmylunch.hardlyanyTwittertraffic?NonewspapersontheEasternShore?AnnouncementcameoutChristmasweek?Ashasbeenaproblemforyears...verylittleefforttogetpubliccomment.Almostseemstheydon'twantanycomments.Andhavetheyrepliedtothosewhocommentedviathewebsite?

attendancerecordsareincludedinAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)oneachStateForest’swebsite.Forexample,whenyourefertohttp://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/chesapeakeforestlands.aspx,theAWPsareinPDFformatascitedintheleft-handcolumnofthewebpage.WithineachofthoseplansyouwillseetheCACmeetingsandcomments.ItissimilarforPocomoke(http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/Pages/publiclands/eastern_pocomokeforest.aspx)andtheotherStateForests.2.FMEstaffworkedwiththeDNRDirectorofCommunicationstodisseminatethepubliccommentefforts.FMEalsoworksthroughtheDNR-ITprogramtogetthewebpagesetup.Fortheworkplans,FMEpostedthereleaseontheDNRnewspage,shareditwithpressviaanemailmessageandwiththepublicviathemonthlynewsletter.Thereleasewasalsodisplayedonsocialmediachannels.CommunicationsfacilitatedcommentsandquestionsfromthepublicwithassistancefromFMEstaff.Communicationsalsousesaservicetomonitoranddistributemediaclipsandmentions,whichitshareswithstaffandothersinthegovernmenteachbusinessday.SCSconfirmedtheseactionsviaemailrecords,files,websites,andinterviewswithFMEstaff.Forexample,thefollowingannouncementswereverified:Twitter>>https://twitter.com/search?q=%22State%20forest%20work%20plans%20released%22&src=typdFacebook>>https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%E2%80%9CState%20Forest%20Work%20Plans%20Released%E2%80%9DDNRonlinenewsletter>>http://news.maryland.gov/dnr/2016/12/19/state-forest-work-plans-released/WesternMarylandnewspaperDNRmakesthestoryavailable,thenewspapersdecidewhethertorunitornot.CumberlandTimesranit.3.Inregardstomediaoutlets,FMEsendstheannouncementtomultipleoutletsandthemanagers/editorsofthoseorganizationsdecidewhichstoriestorun,whichwasconfirmedinemailrecords.FMEhasnocontroloverwhichstoriesareselectedforpublication.

AsforTwitterandFacebook,FMEhasnocontroloverwhodecidestolikeorretweetthem.TheannouncementcameoutonDecember19.Accordingtointerviewswithstaff,itwasFME’sintentiontohavethenewsreleasegooutafterJanuary1,whichwascommunicatedtotheCommunicationsteam,butultimatelythatdecisionwasinthehandsoftheDNRCommunicationsDirector.Thereisusuallyadelayingettingannouncementsposted,butthisonewentoutveryquickly.TheFMEnormallydoesnotreplydirectlytocommentsreceived,butwilliftheirnaturerequiresclarificationorneedstobeaddressedquickly.Whilecommentsdeserveattention,manycommentsarenotspecific,addressinganopinionratherthanaspecificworkplanproposal.Forexample,commentsarefrequentlyreceivedthatopposeanytimberharvestonstatelands.AspartoftheFME’spublicmandateistomanageforestsformultiplevalues,includingtimber,thesetypesofcommentsarerarelygivenaresponse.Thisyear,therewasoneforestharvestproposalofconcerntoastakeholdergroupintheSavageRiverStateForestAnnualWorkPlan,andFMErespondeddirectlyandinvitedtheconstituentstomeetwiththeforestmanagerintheofficeoratthesite.Thestakeholdergroupsofarhasnotacceptedtheinvitation.ThesecommentswereverifiedviacommunicationrecordsandinterviewswithFMEstaffsincetheAWPfor2018isstillunderdevelopment.FMEhasmetwithvariousconstituentsovertheyearswhenissuesariseoveritsforestmanagementpracticesandcontinuestodoso.Also,FMEreceivedtwocommentsfromEasternShoreconstituents.AllcommentsfromtheAWPreviewprocessbecomepartoftheofficialannualworkplanwhencompleted.FinalAWPsareallmadepubliclyavailableonlineontheDNRwebsite.Theseactionswereverifiedthroughemailrecords,visitorlogs,reviewofAWPs,andinterviewswithFMEstaff.SCSconcludesthattheFMEusesmultipleoutletstoreceivestakeholderfeedbackandrespondstosubstantiatedcommentsinatimelymanner.TheFME

alsohasaCitizensAdvisoryCommittee(CAC),whichincludesmembersofenvironmental,social,economic,andtribalconcerns.Membersarerotatedperiodicallytoensurethatdifferentcitizensandorganizationsmayberepresented.ArecreationalmemberoftheCACcommentedduringtheauditthattheirconstituentsnowcanlearnaboutforestmanagementplanningandtherationalebehindharvestsindiscussionwithFMEstaff.Nonon-conformanceiswarranted.

EnvironmentalconcernsNonereceived.

6.CertificationDecisionThecertificateholderhasdemonstratedcontinuedoverallconformancetotheapplicableForestStewardshipCouncilstandards.TheSCSannualauditteamrecommendsthatthecertificatebesustained,subjecttosubsequentannualauditsandtheFME’sresponsetoanyopenCARs.

Yes No

Comments:

7.ChangesinCertificationScope

Anychangesinthescopeofthecertificationsincethepreviousauditarehighlightedinyellowinthetablesbelow.

NameandContactInformation

Organizationname StateofMarylandDNR–ForestServiceContactperson JackPerdueAddress 580TaylorAve,E1

Annapolis,MD21401Telephone 410-260-8505Fax 410-260-8595e-mail jack.perdue@maryland.govWebsite dnr.maryland.gov/forests

FSCSalesInformation

FSCSalescontactinformationsameasabove.FSCsalesperson Address Telephone

Fax e-mail Website

ScopeofCertificate

CertificateTypeSingleFMU MultipleFMU

GroupSLIMF(ifapplicable)

SmallSLIMFcertificate

LowintensitySLIMFcertificate

GroupSLIMFcertificate#GroupMembers(ifapplicable) 0NumberofFMUsinscopeofcertificate 1Geographiclocationofnon-SLIMFFMU(s) Latitude&Longitude:

SavageRiverStateForest-39.576,-79.129GreenRidgeStateForest-39.631,-78.475PotomacStateForest-39.472,-79.439GarrettStateForest-39.341,-79.28PocomokeStateForest-38.15,-75.487ChesapeakeForestLands-38.329,-75.799

Forestzone Boreal Temperate

Subtropical Tropical

Totalforestareainscopeofcertificatewhichis:Units: haor acprivatelymanaged statemanaged 211,044(2016)acreagehasexpanded,someyetto

beclassifiedformanagement.communitymanaged

NumberofFMUsinscopethatare:lessthan100hainarea 100-1000hainarea 1000-10000hainarea morethan10000hainarea 1

TotalforestareainscopeofcertificatewhichisincludedinFMUsthat:Units: haor acarelessthan100hainarea arebetween100haand1000hainarea meettheeligibilitycriteriaaslowintensitySLIMFFMUs DivisionofFMUsintomanageableunits:FMEconsiderstwoforestregionsbasedonregionalforesttypes:EasternandWesternRegions.FMEthendividesthestateforestsystemintofourgeographicdistricts.Undereachgeographicdistricttherearestateforests,whicharethenmanagedaccordingtoastateforest-levellong-termmanagementplanandannualworkplan.AfulldescriptionofhowtheFMUisdividedintomanageableunitsisavailablepubliclyviatheFME’swebsite:http://dnr.maryland.gov/forests/.

ProductionForests

TimberForestProductsUnits: haor ac

Totalareaofproductionforest(i.e.forestfromwhichtimbermaybeharvested)

135,101

Areaofproductionforestclassifiedas'plantation' Areaofproductionforestregeneratedprimarilybyreplantingorbyacombinationofreplantingandcoppicingoftheplantedstems

Areaofproductionforestregeneratedprimarilybynatural

FSCProductClassification

regeneration,orbyacombinationofnaturalregenerationandcoppicingofthenaturallyregeneratedstemsSilviculturalsystem(s) Areaundertypeof

managementEven-agedmanagement

Clearcut(clearcutsizerange

) Shelterwood Other:

Uneven-agedmanagement Individualtreeselection Groupselection Other:

Other(e.g.nursery,recreationarea,windbreak,bamboo,silvo-pastoralsystem,agro-forestrysystem,etc.)

Thesustainablerateofharvest(usuallyAnnualAllowableHarvestorAAHwhereavailable)ofcommercialtimber(m3ofroundwood)

2.4mmbfundervolregulation,plus780acunderarearegulation

Non-timberForestProducts(NTFPs)AreaofforestprotectedfromcommercialharvestingoftimberandmanagedprimarilyfortheproductionofNTFPsorservices

OtherareasmanagedforNTFPsorservices Approximateannualcommercialproductionofnon-timberforestproductsincludedinthescopeofthecertificate,byproducttype

ExplanationoftheassumptionsandreferencetothedatasourceuponwhichAAHandNTFPharvestratesestimatesarebased:SeeSFMPChapter5,AppendixHandCFISummaryforeachStateForest.MDDNRusesRemsoft’sWoodstockprogramtoanalyzeforestinventorydatatoprojectsustainableharvestlevelsbasedonallowedsilviculturalsystems.Harvestratesarebasedonareacontrolratherthanvolumecontrolcurrently.Forexample,theGreenRidgeSFMPincludesadescriptionofthemaximumnumberofacresthatmaybetreatedwithvariableretentionharvests.AppendixHincludesadescriptionoftheassumptionsbehindthegrowthandyieldmodeling,includingtheelementsoftheindicator.Summariesofprojectedgrowthandallowableharvestsbasedongrowthrates,mortality,disease,etc.areincludedinAppendixH.SpeciesinscopeofjointFM/COCcertificate:(Scientific/LatinNameandCommon/TradeName)Acerrubrum;Acerspp.;Caryaspp.;Celtisoccidentalis;Fagusgrandifolia;Fraxinusspp.;JuglansnigraL.;LiquidambarstyracifluaL.;LiriodendrontulipiferaL.;NyssasylvaticaMarsh;Pinusechinata;Pinustaeda;Pinusserotina;Quercusspp.;Quercusalba;Quercusrubra;TiliaamericanaL;Tsugacanadensis(L.)Carr.;Ulmusspp.

TimberproductsProductLevel1 ProductLevel2 SpeciesW1RoughWood W1.1Roundwood(logs) All W1.2FuelWood

ConservationAreas

Totalareaofforestandnon-forestlandprotectedfromcommercialharvestingoftimberandmanagedprimarilyforconservationobjectives:

71,390ac

HighConservationValueForest/Areas

HighConservationValuespresentandrespectiveareas:Units: haor acCode HCVType Description&Location AreaHCV1 Forestsorareascontainingglobally,

regionallyornationallysignificantconcentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.endemism,endangeredspecies,refugia).

EcologicallySignificant/Wildlands-Easternregion;EcologicallySignificant/Wildlands-Westernregion

15,22616,656

HCV2 Forestsorareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificantlargelandscapelevelforests,containedwithin,orcontainingthemanagementunit,whereviablepopulationsofmostifnotallnaturallyoccurringspeciesexistinnaturalpatternsofdistributionandabundance.

HCV3 Forestsorareasthatareinorcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystems.

CoreFIDshabitat;coreDFShabitat–Easternregion;oldgrowthandoldgrowthmanagement–Westernregion

18,48424,874

HCV4 Forestsorareasthatprovidebasicservicesofnatureincriticalsituations(e.g.watershedprotection,erosioncontrol).

RiparianBufferAreas–Easternregion;RiparianBufferAreas–Westernregion

38,2742,145

HCV5 Forestsorareasfundamentaltomeetingbasicneedsoflocalcommunities(e.g.subsistence,health).

W1.3Twigs W3Woodinchipsorparticles

W3.1Woodchips All

Non-TimberForestProductsProductLevel1 ProductLevel2 ProductLevel3andSpecies

HCV6 Forestsorareascriticaltolocalcommunities’traditionalculturalidentity(areasofcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificanceidentifiedincooperationwithsuchlocalcommunities).

TotalAreaofforestclassifiedas‘HighConservationValueForest/Area’ 71,984

AreasOutsideoftheScopeofCertification(PartialCertificationandExcision)

N/A–Allforestlandownedormanagedbytheapplicantisincludedinthescope.

Applicantownsand/ormanagesotherFMUsnotunderevaluation.

ApplicantwishestoexciseportionsoftheFMU(s)underevaluationfromthescopeofcertification.ExplanationforexclusionofFMUsand/orexcision:

Theseotherstateforestsseeverylittlesilviculturalactivityandarerelativelysmallinacreage.Wehavenointerestinpursuingcertificationcurrentlyontheselands.

Controlmeasurestopreventmixingofcertifiedandnon-certifiedproduct(C8.3):

Theseadditionalpropertiesarenotlocatedneartheareasincludedinthecurrentorexpandedcertificationscope.Harvestingisverylimitedandusuallyforthepurposeofsalvageordemonstration.ThesepropertiesarenotallowedtousetheFSCcertificateorlicensecodes.

DescriptionofFMUsexcludedfrom,orforestedareaexcisedfrom,thescopeofcertification:NameofFMUorStand Location(city,state,country) Size( haor ac)ElkNeckStateForest Northeast,MD,Cecil 3,380CedarvilleStateForest Brandywine,MD,PrinceGeorges 3,625DoncasterDemonstrationForest Ironsides,MD,Charles 1,953StoneyDemonstrationForest Aberdeen,MD,Harford 318SalemStateForest Leonardtown,MD,StMary’s 837

8.AnnualDataUpdate

8.1SocialInformationNumberofforestworkers(includingcontractors)workinginforestwithinscopeofcertificate(differentiatedbygender):#ofmaleworkers:27 #offemaleworkers:9Numberofaccidentsinforestworksincelastaudit: Serious:0 Fatal:0

8.2AnnualSummaryofPesticideandOtherChemicalUse

MarylandDNRForestService::2016

AnnualSummaryofpesticideandotherchemicaluse

(overapprox.last12months)

Forest

Commercialnameofpesticide/herbicide

Activeingredient

Quantityapplied

annually(kgorlbs)

Sizeofareatreatedduring

previousyear(haorac)

Reasonforuse

e.g.SavageRiverStateForest Gly4 Glyphosate

2gal(2%solution) 1acre WeedControl

SavageRiverStateForest ArsenalAC Imazapyr

76.5oz.activeingredient 102acres

Hardwoodcutsurface(hackandsquirt)

SavageRiverStateForest RazorPro Glyphosate

2lbsactiveingredient/acre

102acres

Foliarsprayforfern,grassandsedgecontrol

SavageRiverStateForest OustXP

Sulfometuronethyl

1.5ozactiveingredient/acre 102acres

Foliarsprayforfern,grassandsedgecontrol

SavageRiverStateForest Gly4 Glyphosate

36oz.ofactiveingredient 2acres

Invasivespeciescontrol(Japaneseknotweed)

SavageRiverStateForest Gly4Plus Glyphosate

Foliarsprayforferncontrol

SavageRiverStateForest

Round-UpProDry Glyphosate

22.5oz.ofactiveingredient 8acres

SavageRiverStateForest

Garlon4Ultra Triclopyr

GreenRidgeStateForest Vanquish Dicamba 16OZ

30acres100stems Ailanthuscontrol

GreenRidgeStateForest

RoundupProConcentrate Glyphosate

84OZ 54acres,600stems Ailanthuscontrol

PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-5) ArsenalAC Imazapyr

3%solutionon25ac.=31oz. 25ac.

TSIWoodyveg.control

PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-5) RazorPro Glyphosate

2#/ac.on25ac.=50# 25ac.

fernandgrass/foliarspray

PotomacGarrettStateForest(32-5) Oust

Sulfometuronmethyl

1.5oz./acon25ac.=37.5oz. 25ac.

3%solutionon15ac.=10.5oz. 15ac.

TSIWoodyveg.control

2#/ac.on18ac.=36# 18ac.

Sulfometuronmethyl

1.5oz./acon18ac.=27oz. 18ac.

2#/ac.on45ac.=90# 45ac.

Sulfometuronmethyl

2#/ac.on19ac.=38# 19ac.

Sulfometuronmethyl

3%solutionon19ac.=13.3oz. 19ac.

TSIWoodyveg.control

PotomacGarrettStateForest(SprucePlanting) ArsenalAC Imazapyr

2%solutionon100sq.ft.=.5oz. 100sq.ft.

GrassControlinSprucePlanting

PotomacGarrettStateForest(Comp17,25,41) ArsenalAC Imazapyr

2%solutionon1stem=.01oz. 1stem

Non-nativeInvasiveSpeciesHackandSquirt

PotomacGarrettStateForest(Comp7) Gly4 Glyphosate

3%solutionon200sq.ft.=2oz. 200sq.ft.

Non-nativeInvasiveSpeciesFoliar

PotomacGarrettStateForest(Comp19) Gly4 Glyphosate

3%solutionon<1ac.=1/2oz. <1ac.

Non-nativeInvasiveSpeciesCutSurface

PotomacGarrettStateForest(Comp35) Oustxp

Sulfometuronmethyl

2oz./ac.On2400sq.ft.=.36oz. 2400sq.ft. dewberryfoliarspray

PocomokeStateForest Makaze Glyphosate

1.5gal(2%solution)

7,400sq.ft/0.17ac.

Invasivegrass/weedcontrol

ChesapeakeForest Makaze Glyphosate10.125gal(2%solution)

21,400sq.ft/0.49ac.

Invasivegrass/weedcontrol

ChesapeakeForestArsenal+Escort+Herbimax

Imazapyr+MetsulfuronMethyl+PetroleumSurfactant

16oz+2oz+2.5oz 36.7ac. Hardwoodcontrol

ChesapeakeForestArsenal+Herbimax

Imazapyr+PetroleumSurfactant

8oz+2.5oz26.8 Hardwoodcontrol

ForestManagement&Stump-to-ForestGateChain-of-CustodySurveillanceEvaluationReport|CONFIDENTIAL

SECTIONB–APPENDICES(CONFIDENTIAL)

Appendix1–ListofFMUsSelectedforEvaluation

FMEconsistsofasingleFMU

FMEconsistsofmultipleFMUsorisaGroup

Appendix2–ListofStakeholdersConsulted

ListofFMEStaffConsulted

CFCASig nIn042417.pdf

ListofotherStakeholdersConsulted

Name Organization ContactInformation Consultationmethod

RequestsCert.Notf.

JoanMaloof ExecutiveDirector,Old-GrowthForestNetwork;andProfessorEmeritus,SalisburyUniversity

JEMALOOF@salisbury.edu;410-251-1800

Email Y

MartyRenshaw

RenshawLogging Bus.(410)543-2757Cell(410)726-2166

Field N

Anemailwassenttostakeholdersinadvanceoftheaudittoaskforcomments.Onecommentwasreceived.Nostakeholderscontactedbyphonereturnedanycalls.Seedailysign-insheets(PDFfilesabove)forCACmembers.

Appendix3–AdditionalAuditTechniquesEmployed

Additionaltechniquesemployed(describe):

Appendix4–PesticideDerogations

TherearenoactivepesticidederogationsforthisFME.

Appendix5–DetailedObservationsCriteriarequiredbyFSCateverysurveillanceaudit(checkallsituationsthatapply)

NA–allFMUsareexemptfromtheserequirements.

Plantations>10,000ha(24,710ac):2.3,4.2,4.4,6.7,6.9,10.6,10.7,and10.8

Naturalforests>50,000ha(123,553ac)(‘lowintensity’SLIMFsexempt):1.5,2.3,3.2,4.2,4.4,5.6,6.2,6.3,8.2,and9.4

FMUscontainingHighConservationValues(‘smallforest’SLIMFsexempt):6.2,6.3,6.9and9.4

DocumentsandrecordsreviewedforFMUs/sitessampled

Allapplicabledocumentsandrecordsasrequiredinsection7ofauditplanwerereviewed;or

Thefollowingdocumentsandrecordsasrequiredinsection7oftheauditplanwereNOTreviewed(provideexplanation):

EvaluationYear FSCP&CReviewed2014 All–(Re)certificationEvaluation2015 1.3,1.5,1.6,2.3,3.1,3.2,3.4,4.2,4.4,5.6,6.2,6.3,6.5,6.6,6.9,7.1,7.2,7.4,8.2,

8.3(COCindicatorsforFMEs)and9.42016 1.1,1.2,1.4,1.5,2.3,3.2,4.1,4.2,4.3,4.4,4.5,5.5,5.6,6.2,6.3,6.7,6.8,6.9,6.10,

7.3,8.2and9.42017 SeealsomandatoryCriteria;and2.1,2.2,3.3,6.1,8.1,8.4,and8.5.2018 SeealsomandatoryCriteria;and5.1,5.2,5.3,5.4,6.4,9.1,9.2,and9.3.C=ConformancewithCriterionorIndicatorNC=NonconformancewithCriterionorIndicatorNA=NotApplicableNE=NotEvaluated

AbbreviationsforMarylandDNRStateForestswhichmaybeusedinthischecklist:

CF/PSF=ChesapeakeForest/PocomokeStateForestDFS=DelmarvaFoxSquirrelESA=EcologicallySensitiveAreaFIDS=ForestInteriorDwellingSpeciesGRSF=GreenRidgeStateForest

PGSF=PotomacGarrettStateForestS/FMP=Sustainable/ForestManagementPlanSRSF=SavageRiverStateForestROW=Right-of-wayRTE=Rare,threatenedorendangered

REQUIREMENT C/NC COMMENT/CAR

Principle#1:CompliancewithLawsandFSCPrinciplesForestmanagementshallrespectallapplicablelawsofthecountryinwhichtheyoccur,andinternationaltreatiesandagreementstowhichthecountryisasignatory,andcomplywithallFSCPrinciplesandCriteria.1.1Forestmanagementshallrespectallnationalandlocallawsandadministrativerequirements.

1.2.Allapplicableandlegallyprescribedfees,royalties,taxesandotherchargesshallbepaid.

1.3.Insignatorycountries,theprovisionsofallbindinginternationalagreementssuchasCITES,ILOConventions,ITTA,andConventiononBiologicalDiversity,shallberespected.

1.4.Conflictsbetweenlaws,regulationsandtheFSCPrinciplesandCriteriashallbeevaluatedforthepurposesof

certification,onacasebycasebasis,bythecertifiersandtheinvolvedoraffectedparties.1.5.Forestmanagementareasshouldbeprotectedfromillegalharvesting,settlementandotherunauthorizedactivities.

1.5.a.TheforestownerormanagersupportsorimplementsmeasuresintendedtopreventillegalandunauthorizedactivitiesontheForestManagementUnit(FMU).

C FMEhasadepartmentofNaturalResourcesPolice(NRP)thatregularlypatrolstatelandstopreventanddetectunauthorizedactivities.Inaddition,FMEgatesroadsandpostssignagethatcitesapplicablelawsandregulations.

1.5.b.Ifillegalorunauthorizedactivitiesoccur,theforestownerormanagerimplementsactionsdesignedtocurtailsuchactivitiesandcorrectthesituationtotheextentpossibleformeetingalllandmanagementobjectiveswithconsiderationofavailableresources.

C FMEdidnotreportanysignificantillegalorunauthorizedactivitiessincethelastaudit.Perinterviewswithstaff,FME’sNRPprosecutesorfinesviolators.NRPalsoworkswithlocallawenforcementtodealwithmorecomplexsituationsinvolvingillegalactivities,suchasmarijuanaoperations.FMEstaffregularlycleanupdumpsitestoavoidattraction.Interviewswithstaffindicatethatoutsideofthisoccasionaldumping,therehavebeennomajorillegalorunauthorizedactivities.

1.6.Forestmanagersshalldemonstratealong-termcommitmenttoadheretotheFSCPrinciplesandCriteria.

Principle#2:Long-termtenureanduserightstothelandandforestresourcesshallbeclearlydefined,documentedandlegallyestablished.2.1.Clearevidenceoflong-termforestuserightstotheland(e.g.,landtitle,customaryrights,orleaseagreements)shallbedemonstrated.

2.1.aTheforestownerormanagerprovidesclearevidenceoflong-termrightstouseandmanagetheFMUforthepurposesdescribedinthemanagementplan.

C SeeTaxMapsandDeedDescriptionsviaMDLandRec.net(DigitalImageRetrievalSystemforthelandsofMD).CopiesofdeedsaremaintainedateachStateForestOffice.JeanLipphard,LandAcquisition&Planning(LAP)/Annapolis,hasoriginals.AsampleofdeedswasshownfortheChesapeakeandPocomokeStateForests;thesefilesaremaintainedinlocalofficesinbinders.

2.1.bTheforestownerormanageridentifiesanddocumentslegallyestablisheduseandaccessrightsassociatedwiththeFMUthatareheldbyotherparties.

C FME’slegaldepartment(OfficeoftheAttorneyGeneral)maintainsrecordsofuseandaccessrights,suchasdeededrights-of-way.LAPmaintainsoriginaldocuments.

2.1.cBoundariesoflandownershipanduserightsareclearlyidentifiedonthegroundandonmapspriortocommencingmanagementactivitiesinthevicinityoftheboundaries.

C Boundariesarepaintedandsometimesincludesigns,butROWandeasementsarenot.FMEhasinternalroadsandROWmapped.AllpropertyboundariesobservedontheEasternState

Forestswereclearlysignedand/orpainted.Thesearealsovisibleonmaps.Harvestsobservedin2017hadpropertyboundarytreepaintedandretentiontreesnearpropertyboundarieswereevident.

2.2.Localcommunitieswithlegalorcustomarytenureoruserightsshallmaintaincontrol,totheextentnecessarytoprotecttheirrightsorresources,overforestoperationsunlesstheydelegatecontrolwithfreeandinformedconsenttootheragencies.

2.2.aTheforestownerormanagerallowstheexerciseoftenureanduserightsallowablebylaworregulation.

C SeeevidencepresentedinC2.1.Therearehunt-leasesontheChesapeakeStateForestforwhichcontractsweredemonstratedforfilesmaintainedinFMEoffices.AllotherStateForestsallowpublichuntingandotheruserights,suchasplantcollection,viaapermitsystem.Signageonpropertyboundariesindicatesifpublichuntingisallowed.PowerlineROWsaremappedandeasilyidentifiableinthefieldsincethepowercompanykeepsthemclear.

2.2.bInFMUswheretenureoruserightsheldbyothersexist,theforestownerormanagerconsultswithgroupsthatholdsuchrightssothatmanagementactivitiesdonotsignificantlyimpacttheusesorbenefitsofsuchrights.

C SeeevidencepresentedinC2.1.PerhuntleaserequirementsonChesapeake,FMEmaintainscommunicationsovertimbersalesastimberharvestsareusedtopromotewildlifehabitat.

2.3.Appropriatemechanismsshallbeemployedtoresolvedisputesovertenureclaimsanduserights.Thecircumstancesandstatusofanyoutstandingdisputeswillbeexplicitlyconsideredinthecertificationevaluation.Disputesofsubstantialmagnitudeinvolvingasignificantnumberofinterestswillnormallydisqualifyanoperationfrombeingcertified.

2.3.aIfdisputesariseregardingtenureclaimsoruserightsthentheforestownerormanagerinitiallyattemptstoresolvethemthroughopencommunication,negotiation,and/ormediation.Ifthesegood-faitheffortsfail,thenfederal,state,and/orlocallawsareemployedtoresolvesuchdisputes.

C FMEstaffreportednonewdisputesovertenureclaimsoruserights.Thereareseveralcasesthatareopenrelatedtoencroachmentontostateforestsfromadjacentlandowners.Eachstateforestmaintainsitsownrecords,butthelandplanningofficemaybecomeinvolvedinreviewingrecordsandsurveyinformation.FME’slawyersatheadquartersreviewboundarydisputesandencroachment,andtakethefinalactionstoresolvetheseissues.

2.3.bTheforestownerormanagerdocumentsanysignificantdisputesovertenureanduserights.

Principle#3:Thelegalandcustomaryrightsofindigenouspeoplestoown,useandmanagetheirlands,territories,andresourcesshallberecognizedandrespected.

3.1.Indigenouspeoplesshallcontrolforestmanagementontheirlandsandterritoriesunlesstheydelegatecontrolwithfreeandinformedconsenttootheragencies.

3.2.Forestmanagementshallnotthreatenordiminish,eitherdirectlyorindirectly,theresourcesortenurerightsofindigenouspeoples.

3.2.aDuringmanagementplanning,theforestownerormanagerconsultswithAmericanIndiangroupsthathavelegalrightsorotherbindingagreementstotheFMUtoavoidharmingtheirresourcesorrights.

NA Therearenotribalforestmanagementorownership/userightsonFMElands.TherearenositesofspecialtribalsignificanceonthecertifiedFMU.TherearenotribeswithlegalrightsorbindingagreementstotheFMU,asconfirmedthroughinterviewswithstaffandreviewoftenuredocumentsunderC2.1.RoutinecommunicationwithChiefsinregardstomanagementactivitiesandpublicpostingofAWP’sontheforestwebsite.FMEstaffreportedthatactivitiesin2016-17didnotaffectanytribalissues.

3.2.bDemonstrableactionsaretakensothatforestmanagementdoesnotadverselyaffecttribalresources.Whenapplicable,evidenceof,andmeasuresfor,protectingtribalresourcesareincorporatedinthemanagementplan.

3.3.Sitesofspecialcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificancetoindigenouspeoplesshallbeclearlyidentifiedincooperationwithsuchpeoples,andrecognizedandprotectedbyforestmanagers.

3.3.a.Theforestownerormanagerinvitesconsultationwithtribalrepresentativesinidentifyingsitesofcurrentortraditionalcultural,archeological,ecological,economicorreligioussignificance.

C Aspartofthemanagementplanningprocess,tribalrepresentativesareinvitedtocommentontheFME’splannedactivities.Nocommentshavebeenreceivedduringthepastthreeyears,perinterviewswithFMEstaffandreviewoftheAWPs.SCS’effortstoreachouttostakeholderspriortotheaudit,includingemailsandphonecalls,yieldednocommentsfromtribalrepresentatives.However,initialmanagementplanningconductedduringthefirstfewyearofFSCandSFIcertificationyieldedsomecommentsfromtribalrepresentativesthathavebeenincorporatedintomanagementplans.Also,allstateforestproposalsarereviewedbytheMarylandHistoricalTrustduringtheplanningphase.FMEstaffmaintainscontactwiththeMarylandCommissiononIndianAffairssince

3.3.bInconsultationwithtribalrepresentatives,theforestownerormanagerdevelopsmeasurestoprotectorenhanceareasofspecialsignificance(seealsoCriterion9.1).

triballeadershipchangesperiodicallyand,attimes,thereareconflictsbetweentribesoverpoliticalissuesaccordingtoFMEstaff.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaffinChesapeake/Pocomoke,therearerecenteffortsatre-establishingcontactwitharecognizedtribesincetherehasbeenaleadershipchange.Emailrecordsofthesecommunicationsweredemonstratedonsite.

3.4.Indigenouspeoplesshallbecompensatedfortheapplicationoftheirtraditionalknowledgeregardingtheuseofforestspeciesormanagementsystemsinforestoperations.Thiscompensationshallbeformallyagreeduponwiththeirfreeandinformedconsentbeforeforestoperationscommence.

Principle#4:Forestmanagementoperationsshallmaintainorenhancethelong-termsocialandeconomicwell-beingofforestworkersandlocalcommunities.4.1.Thecommunitieswithin,oradjacentto,theforestmanagementareashouldbegivenopportunitiesforemployment,training,andotherservices.

4.2.Forestmanagementshouldmeetorexceedallapplicablelawsand/orregulationscoveringhealthandsafetyofemployeesandtheirfamilies.

4.2.aTheforestownerormanagermeetsorexceedsallapplicablelawsand/orregulationscoveringhealthandsafetyofemployeesandtheirfamilies(alsoseeCriterion1.1).

C FMEreportednoaccidentsorsafetyincidentssincethelastaudit,andthattherehavebeennochangestohealth&safetyregulationsorcontracttemplates.OSHApostingswereobservedinallstateforestoffices.PerinterviewswithFMEstaff,allareawareofhealthandsafetylawsandreceiveregulartrainingonthesubject.TrainingrecordswereprovidedforFMEstaffandstaffofcontractors(e.g.,ParkerForestryStaffTraining-March24,2015thruApril21,2017).AuditorsexaminedpersonnelfilesmaintainedatChesapeakeStateForest,whichcontaintrainingrecordssuchastrailmaintenance,firecertification,FEMA,stateforestrylicenses,CFEsforSAF,etc.Auditorsconfirmedpesticideapplicators’licensesfortheonlytwoqualified

staffattheChesapeake-PocomokeStateForest(AlexClark,license27515-75484;MichaelSchofield,27515-39330).

4.2.bTheforestownerormanagerandtheiremployeesandcontractorsdemonstrateasafeworkenvironment.Contractsorotherwrittenagreementsincludesafetyrequirements.

C Items6,10,and11ofParkerForestryServices’contractsaddresssafetyrequirements.StateofMarylandcontractsreviewedincludesafetyrequirementsinitems15(accidentprevention),16(insurance),and19(lawapplicable).Chemicalapplicationcontractsreviewedincluderequirementsforlicensing,whichaddressessafetyandqualifications(item9).Evidenceofsafefellingtechniqueswereobservedinthefieldonstumpsanduseofslashonskidtrails.Chemicalapplicationmapsdemonstratethathazardzonesandprotectedareasareavoided,consistentwithhowtheyareidentifiedinpre-applicationmaps.

4.2.cTheforestownerormanagerhireswell-qualifiedserviceproviderstosafelyimplementthemanagementplan.

C Throughuseofacompetitivebiddingsystemanduseofstrictcontractsthatincludeloggerlicensingandsafetyrequirements,FMEensuresthatitusesqualifiedserviceproviders.Evidence:contractsforalltimbersalesarrangedbyParkerForestryServicesvisited(item6,MasterLoggerrequirement);andstatecontracts(item5,Conditions).ParkerForestrydemonstratedacopyofthe2016MasterLoggerlist,whichincludesallloggersusedontimberharvestsintheEasternRegion.Chemicalapplicationcontractsreviewedincluderequirementsforlicensing,whichaddressessafetyandqualifications(item9).

4.3TherightsofworkerstoorganizeandvoluntarilynegotiatewiththeiremployersshallbeguaranteedasoutlinedinConventions87and98oftheInternationalLaborOrganization(ILO).

4.4.Managementplanningandoperationsshallincorporatetheresultsofevaluationsofsocialimpact.Consultationsshallbemaintainedwithpeopleandgroups(bothmenandwomen)directlyaffectedbymanagementoperations.

4.4.aTheforestownerormanagerunderstandsthelikelysocialimpactsofmanagementactivities,andincorporatesthisunderstandingintomanagementplanningandoperations.Socialimpactsincludeeffectson:

C TheAnnualWorkPlanandIDTeamprocessesarerobustexamplesofplanningeffortsthatallowforconsiderationofsocialimpactsasdescribedinthisindicator.FMEmostrecentlyupdatedits

• Archeologicalsitesandsitesofcultural,historicalandcommunitysignificance(onandofftheFMU;

• Publicresources,includingair,waterandfood(hunting,fishing,collecting);

• Aesthetics;• Communitygoalsforforestandnaturalresourceuseand

protectionsuchasemployment,subsistence,recreationandhealth;

• Communityeconomicopportunities;• Otherpeoplewhomaybeaffectedbymanagement

operations.AsummaryisavailabletotheCB.

socialimpactssummaryinresponseaMinorCARin2014.AccordingtointerviewswithFMEstaff,WesternStateForestshaveengagedincooperativeprojectwithFrostburgStateUniversitytocarryoutaRecreation/TourismEconomicImpactStudy,withsurveyworkslatedtobegininApril2017.

4.4.bTheforestownerormanagerseeksandconsidersinputinmanagementplanningfrompeoplewhowouldlikelybeaffectedbymanagementactivities.

C SRSF—CommentsregardingtheFY-18AnnualWorkPlanwerereceivedviae-mail,phonecallsandletters.SeveralstakeholdershaveairedconcernsoveranFY-18silviculturalproposalinCompartment38thatinvolvesaregenerationharvestona55-acremanagementunit.Theunitabutsthepropertiesoftwostakeholders.Bothstakeholders/landownersareapprehensiveoftheharvestanditspotentialimpactontheirwatersupply,propertyvalues,andviewshed.Aresponsetothestakeholdersisbeingformulatedandtheinvitationforasite-visithasbeenextendedtotheinterestedpartiestoreviewtheharvestproposalandaddresspertinentissues.FMEreportedthatfewcommentshavebeenreceivedfromstakeholderssincethelastauditonotherStateForests.MostcommentsarereceivedduringtheAnnualWorkPlan(AWP)reviewprocessfromtheCitizensAdvisoryCommittees.SCSreviewedcomplaintslogatChesapeakeForest,whichascomplaintsdatingbackto2011.Themostrecentcomplaintsdateto2015,allofwhichhavebeenresolved.

4.4.cPeoplewhoaresubjecttodirectadverseeffectsofmanagementoperationsareapprisedofrelevantactivitiesinadvanceoftheactionsothattheymayexpressconcern.

C Referto4.4.b.

4.4.dForpublicforests,consultationshallincludethefollowingcomponents:

C Referto4.4.b.

1. Clearlydefinedandaccessiblemethodsforpublicparticipationareprovidedinbothlongandshort-termplanningprocesses,includingharvestplansandoperationalplans;

2. Publicnotificationissufficienttoallowinterestedstakeholdersthechancetolearnofupcomingopportunitiesforpublicreviewand/orcommentontheproposedmanagement;

3. Anaccessibleandaffordableappealsprocesstoplanningdecisionsisavailable.

Planningdecisionsincorporatetheresultsofpublicconsultation.Alldraftandfinalplanningdocuments,andtheirsupportingdata,aremadereadilyavailabletothepublic.

SeeresponsetoMinorCAR2014.6inthe2015annualauditreport.Therehasbeennochangesincethelastaudit.

4.5.Appropriatemechanismsshallbeemployedforresolvinggrievancesandforprovidingfaircompensationinthecaseoflossordamageaffectingthelegalorcustomaryrights,property,resources,orlivelihoodsoflocalpeoples.Measuresshallbetakentoavoidsuchlossordamage.

Principle#5:Forestmanagementoperationsshallencouragetheefficientuseoftheforest’smultipleproductsandservicestoensureeconomicviabilityandawiderangeofenvironmentalandsocialbenefits.5.1.Forestmanagementshouldstrivetowardeconomicviability,whiletakingintoaccountthefullenvironmental,social,andoperationalcostsofproduction,andensuringtheinvestmentsnecessarytomaintaintheecologicalproductivityoftheforest.

5.2.Forestmanagementandmarketingoperationsshouldencouragetheoptimaluseandlocalprocessingoftheforest’sdiversityofproducts.

5.3.Forestmanagementshouldminimizewasteassociatedwithharvestingandon-siteprocessingoperationsandavoiddamagetootherforestresources.

5.4.Forestmanagementshouldstrivetostrengthenanddiversifythelocaleconomy,avoidingdependenceonasingleforestproduct.

5.5.Forestmanagementoperationsshallrecognize,maintain,and,whereappropriate,enhancethevalueofforestservicesandresourcessuchaswatershedsandfisheries.

5.6.Therateofharvestofforestproductsshallnotexceedlevelswhichcanbepermanentlysustained.

5.6.aInFMUswhereproductsarebeingharvested,thelandownerormanagercalculatesthesustainedyieldharvest

C FMEcalculatestheAAHforeachStateForestinthescope.

levelforeachsustainedyieldplanningunit,andprovidesclearrationalefordeterminingthesizeandlayoutoftheplanningunit.ThesustainedyieldharvestlevelcalculationisdocumentedintheManagementPlan.Thesustainedyieldharvestlevelcalculationforeachplanningunitisbasedon:• documentedgrowthratesforparticularsites,and/or

acreageofforesttypes,age-classesandspeciesdistributions;

• mortalityanddecayandotherfactorsthataffectnetgrowth;

• areasreservedfromharvestorsubjecttoharvestrestrictionstomeetothermanagementgoals;

• silviculturalpracticesthatwillbeemployedontheFMU;• managementobjectivesanddesiredfutureconditions.Thecalculationismadebyconsideringtheeffectsofrepeatedprescribedharvestsontheproduct/speciesanditsecosystem,aswellasplannedmanagementtreatmentsandprojectionsofsubsequentregrowthbeyondsinglerotationandmultiplere-entries.

OfeachStateForest,onlyonehasreportedchangesinitscalculatedAAH:SRSFhasbeenconductinganextensiveforestinventoryprojectforpast5years.InitialinventoryworkhasbeencompletedontheharvestableareasofSRSFandtheanalysisofthisdatawillbethebasisforanychangesthatmaybenecessaryinadjustingtheannualallowableharvestrate.SeeSFMPChapter5,AppendixHandCFISummaryforeachStateForest.FMEusesRemsoft’sWoodstockprogramtoanalyzeforestinventorydatatoprojectsustainableharvestlevelsbasedonallowedsilviculturalsystems.Harvestratesarebasedonareacontrolratherthanvolumecontrolcurrently.AppendixHincludesadescriptionoftheassumptionsbehindthegrowthandyieldmodeling,includingtheelementsoftheindicator.Summariesofprojectedgrowthandallowableharvestsbasedongrowthrates,mortality,disease,etc.areincludedinAppendixH.In2017,FEMrecentlycompletedupdatedmodellingfortheEasternRegionusingforestinventorydataandsiteindexesmodeledusingREMSOFT’ssoftware.Themodelconsidersgrowthrates,sitequality,currentage/sizeclass,speciescomposition,managementzone,operability,managementconstraintssuchasFIDS,ESAsandDFS,silviculturalpractices,andobjectives.

5.6.bAverageannualharvestlevels,overrollingperiodsofnomorethan10years,donotexceedthecalculatedsustainedyieldharvestlevel.

C GRSF—TheallowableharvestwithintheGRSFGeneralForestAreaistomanage200acresforendofrotationregenerationharvests.FMEmanaged190acressincethelastaudit.SRSF—SeeAppendix3intheSavageRiverStateForestFY2017AnnualWorkPlan.1.0MMBF

planned,941,285actual.PGSF—634MBFplanned,542MBFactualCF/PSF—ThinningacreagewasslightlybelowAAH,finalanduneven-agedharvestacreage(clearcuts,variableretention,seedtree,shelterwood)waswellbelowourAAH,asconfirmedinrecords(seeTimberSaleSummaryforallStateForests).EachStateForestmaintainsanannualworkplansummarytocompareactualacresharvestedversusprojected(e.g.,http://www.dnr.state.md.us/forests/download/awp_summary.pdf).HarvestlevelsonanareacontrolbasisremainwellbelowwhatisallowedpertheWoodstockmodel.EachStateForestalsopreparesquarterlyharvestreports,whichwerereviewedduringtheaudit.

ReferalsotoTimberSale

SummaryFY2016.pdf Harvestrecordsforlump-sum,stumpage,andgatewoodsaleswerereviewedatParkerForestryServices.

5.6.cRatesandmethodsoftimberharvestleadtoachievingdesiredconditions,andimproveormaintainhealthandqualityacrosstheFMU.Overstockedstandsandstandsthathavebeendepletedorrenderedtobebelowproductivepotentialduetonaturalevents,pastmanagement,orlackofmanagement,arereturnedtodesiredstockinglevelsandcompositionattheearliestpracticabletimeasjustifiedinmanagementobjectives.

C AWPscoutingdonebytheForestManagerandForester.Notesonfuturemanagementactivities,suchassilviculturaltreatmentsorTSI,areincorporatedintotheforestGIS.

5.6.dForNTFPs,calculationofquantitativesustainedyieldharvestlevelsisrequiredonlyincaseswhereproductsareharvestedinsignificantcommercialoperationsorwheretraditionalorcustomaryuserightsmaybeimpactedbysuchharvests.Inothersituations,theforestownerormanagerutilizesavailableinformation,andnewinformationthatcanbereasonablygathered,tosetharvestinglevelsthatwillnotresultinadepletionofthenon-timbergrowingstocksorother

NA ThereisnosignificantharvestofNTFPsontheFMU,asconfirmedinfieldvisitsandinterviewswithFMEstaff.HuntleasesareusedonlyontheChesapeakeStateForest.Themeatacquiredisnotcommerciallysoldandisnotcommerciallysignificant.

adverseeffectstotheforestecosystem.Principle#6:Forestmanagementshallconservebiologicaldiversityanditsassociatedvalues,waterresources,soils,anduniqueandfragileecosystemsandlandscapes,and,bysodoing,maintaintheecologicalfunctionsandtheintegrityoftheforest.6.1.Assessmentsofenvironmentalimpactsshallbecompleted--appropriatetothescale,intensityofforestmanagementandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources--andadequatelyintegratedintomanagementsystems.Assessmentsshallincludelandscapelevelconsiderationsaswellastheimpactsofon-siteprocessingfacilities.Environmentalimpactsshallbeassessedpriortocommencementofsite-disturbingoperations.

6.1.aUsingtheresultsofcrediblescientificanalysis,bestavailableinformation(includingrelevantdatabases),andlocalknowledgeandexperience,anassessmentofconditionsontheFMUiscompletedandincludes:1)Forestcommunitytypesanddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andassociatednaturaldisturbanceregimes;2)Rare,ThreatenedandEndangered(RTE)speciesandrareecologicalcommunities(includingplantcommunities);3)Otherhabitatsandspeciesofmanagementconcern;4)Waterresourcesandassociatedriparianhabitatsandhydrologicfunctions;5)Soilresources;and6)HistoricconditionsontheFMUrelatedtoforestcommunitytypesanddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andabroadcomparisonofhistoricandcurrentconditions.

C ThesesubjectareasareaddressedintheSFMPsandAWPsforeachstateforestorregion.Specifically,eachSFMPdiscussescurrentstandconditionsanddisturbanceregimesthathaveledtocurrentconditions.RTEspeciesandcommunitiesarealsoaddressed;however,FMEalsousesrecoveryplans.SpecialhabitatsdiscussedinSFMPsincluderipariancorridors.WaterandsoilresourcesarediscussedindetailinSFMPs.AnoverviewoflandusehistorythathasshapedthelandscapesoftheEasternandWesternRegionsisincludedineachSFMP.

6.1.bPriortocommencingsite-disturbingactivities,theforestownerormanagerassessesanddocumentsthepotentialshortandlong-termimpactsofplannedmanagementactivitiesonelements1-5listedinCriterion6.1.a.Theassessmentmustincorporatethebestavailableinformation,drawingfromscientificliteratureandexperts.Theimpactassessmentwillatminimumincludeidentifyingresourcesthatmaybeimpactedbymanagement(e.g.,streams,habitatsofmanagementconcern,soilnutrients).Additionaldetail(i.e.,detaileddescriptionorquantificationofimpacts)willvarydependingontheuniquenessoftheresource,potentialrisks,andstepsthatwillbetakentoavoidandminimizerisks.

C TheAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)andtheassociatedCitizenAdvisoryCommittee(CAC)reviewsserveasadocumentassessmentofresourcesidentifiedin6.1.aandhowthesecouldbeaffected.Inaddition,theAWPsaresubjecttopublicreviewduringwhichanycitizencanmakecommentsonhowplannedactivitiesmayaffectresourcesof6.1.a.FME’sassessmentsdrawfromexpertsontheCACs,scientificliterature,andassessmentmethodscarriedoutbyqualified/trainedFMEstaff.IntheEasternRegion,ParkerForestryServicesusestheAWPstocompletepre-harvest

assessmentstoensurethatimpactstosensitiveresourcesidentifiedintheAWPsarepreventedormitigated.

6.1.cUsingthefindingsoftheimpactassessment(Indicator6.1.b),managementapproachesandfieldprescriptionsaredevelopedandimplementedthat:1)avoidorminimizenegativeshort-termandlong-termimpacts;and,2)maintainand/orenhancethelong-termecologicalviabilityoftheforest.

C TheAWPsincludedescriptionsofprescriptionsandmeasurestoavoidorminimizenegativeimpacts.Certainprescriptions,suchasroadandtrailmaintenance,areintendedtoensurethatdamagedBMPsarerepairedsothatimpactstosoilandwaterresourcesaremitigated.Harvestprescriptionsarebasedonthereproductiveecologyofthetreespeciesonsiteandnaturaldisturbanceregimes.

6.1.dOnpubliclands,assessmentsdevelopedinIndicator6.1.aandmanagementapproachesdevelopedinIndicator6.1.caremadeavailabletothepublicindraftformforreviewandcommentpriortofinalization.Finalassessmentsarealsomadeavailable.

C SFMPsandAWPsaresubjecttopublicreviewindraftformpriortofinalizationasdescribedin4.4.d.Pre-harvestinspectionformsfromParkerForestryServicesmaybeprovideduponrequestwithsensitiveandconfidentialinformationremoved.

6.2Safeguardsshallexistwhichprotectrare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesandtheirhabitats(e.g.,nestingandfeedingareas).Conservationzonesandprotectionareasshallbeestablished,appropriatetothescaleandintensityofforestmanagementandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources.Inappropriatehunting,fishing,trapping,andcollectingshallbecontrolled.

6.2.aIfthereisalikelypresenceofRTEspeciesasidentifiedinIndicator6.1.atheneitherafieldsurveytoverifythespecies'presenceorabsenceisconductedpriortosite-disturbingmanagementactivities,ormanagementoccurswiththeassumptionthatpotentialRTEspeciesarepresent.Surveysareconductedbybiologistswiththeappropriateexpertiseinthespeciesofinterestandwithappropriatequalificationstoconductthesurveys.Ifaspeciesisdeterminedtobepresent,itslocationshouldbereportedtothemanageroftheappropriatedatabase.

C ThefollowingwasreportedbyDNRNaturalHeritageProgram:• GRSF—9dayssurveyingforrareplants;

SearchedforStatelistedplantsandhighqualityorrarenaturalcommunities(perourSWAPplan),26dayssurveyingforrareanimals;Searchedforwoodturtles,rattlesnakes,Appalachiancottontails,andeasternspottedskunks.

• PGSF—2dayssurveyingforrareplants;SearchedforhighqualityorrarenaturalcommunitiesasidentifiedinourStateWildlifeActionPlan(SWAP),andpurple-fringedandpurple-fringelessorchids,13dayssurveyingforrareanimals;Searchedforrattlesnakes,greensalamanders,andgoshawks.CF/PSF—Nonewareashavebeenestablished.

• SRSF—31dayssurveyingforrareanimals;

SearchedforWehrle'ssalamander,Appalachiancottontails,easternspottedskunk,WestVirginiaWhites(butterfly),andgoshawks.

• CF/PSF—CF:14dayssurveyingforrareplants;SearchedforStatelistedspeciesandhighqualityorrarenaturalcommunities(perourSWAPplan).

• PSF:5dayssurveyingforrareplants;SearchedforStatelistedspeciesandhighqualityorrarenaturalcommunities(perourSWAPplan),4dayssurveyingforrareanimals;Searchedforfrostedelfins.

6.2.bWhenRTEspeciesarepresentorassumedtobepresent,modificationsinmanagementaremadeinordertomaintain,restoreorenhancetheextent,qualityandviabilityofthespeciesandtheirhabitats.Conservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareestablishedforRTEspecies,includingthoseS3speciesthatareconsideredrare,wheretheyarenecessarytomaintainorimprovetheshortandlong-termviabilityofthespecies.Conservationmeasuresarebasedonrelevantscience,guidelinesand/orconsultationwithrelevant,independentexpertsasnecessarytoachievetheconservationgoaloftheIndicator.

C FMEreportedthefollowingactivitieshearRTEspecieshabitatzones:• GRSF—NONE• SRSF—SeecopiesofSavageRiverState

ForestAnnualWorkPlanandallmanagementrecommendations;allEcologicallySensitiveAreasaswellasHighConservationValueForestacresarehighlightedwithineachproposalmap.

• PGSF—SeePGSFFY-17AWPforIX.WildlifeMngt.Proposalsfor2projectsdonespecificallyforRT&Econservation.Compartment25,Stand14–ESAMngt./thinningtoretainhabitat.Compartment40,Stand1–(HCVFThinningtoRetainHabitat.)

• CF/PSF—Commercialharvestingandprescribedburning.Activitiesareguidedbybotharestorationplanandpolicies.

RefertoindividualAnnualWorkPlans(AWPs)andthemanagementrecommendationsforeachstateforest;allconservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareshownoneachprojectmap.ForestharvestshaveoccurredinareasthatarepotentialhabitatsforRTEspecies.Allharvestsmustgothroughtheannualworkplanprocess.HeritageassiststheFMEduringplanningand

implementationtoensurethatthegoalsthattheyhavefortargetspeciesaremet.EachyearFMEincludesalocationreportingformandinformationfactsheetalongwithitsstandardhuntingharvestreportformstoeachofthelocalhuntclubsregardingDelmarvaFoxSquirrelontheMarylandshort.AnyformsthatFMEreceivesbackaresenttoUSFish&Wildlife,DNRWildlife&Heritage,andkeptonfileatFMEoffices.

6.2.cFormediumandlargepublicforests(e.g.stateforests),forestmanagementplansandoperationsaredesignedtomeetspecies’recoverygoals,aswellaslandscapelevelbiodiversityconservationgoals.

C TherequirementsofthissectionofthestandardareprimarilyaccomplishedthroughtheIDteamprocess,whichincludesreviewsofallplansbyheritage,wildlife,fisheries,andforestrystaff.HarvestoperationsandrestorationprojectsarereviewedbyHeritagemembersoftheIDteam.RestorationprojectsforspecificsitesarelistedwithineachAnnualWorkPlan.

6.2.dWithinthecapacityoftheforestownerormanager,hunting,fishing,trapping,collectingandotheractivitiesarecontrolledtoavoidtheriskofimpactstovulnerablespeciesandcommunities(SeeCriterion1.5).

C FMEstaffreportedthattherehavebeennocasesofharvestortakeofRTEspeciesorsignificantdamagetovulnerablespeciesandcommunitiesontheFMU.RefertoAWPsandthemanagementrecommendationsasallESAsareshownperprojectmaps.Seealsoinformationpresentedin6.2.bonhuntingofgamespecies(e.g.,deer)withinDelmarvaFoxSquirrelhabitat.

6.3.Ecologicalfunctionsandvaluesshallbemaintainedintact,enhanced,orrestored,including:a)Forestregenerationandsuccession.b)Genetic,species,andecosystemdiversity.c)Naturalcyclesthataffecttheproductivityoftheforestecosystem.

6.3.a.1Theforestownerormanagermaintains,enhances,and/orrestoresunder-representedsuccessionalstagesintheFMUthatwouldnaturallyoccuronthetypesofsitesfoundontheFMU.Whereoldgrowthofdifferentcommunitytypesthatwouldnaturallyoccurontheforestareunder-representedinthelandscaperelativetonaturalconditions,aportionoftheforestismanagedtoenhanceand/orrestoreoldgrowthcharacteristics.

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Earlysuccessionstagesaremost

under-representedonthisstateforest,soregenerationharvestsdothemosttomaintainyoungforests.

• SRSF—Theseedling/saplingsuccessionstageofourhardwoodforestscouldbeconsideredunderrepresented.Assuch,managementworkplannedwithinthe

AnnualWorkPlansisgenerallyfocusedonregenerationofhardwoodforestsandenhancingthisstageofforestgrowth.Earlysuccessionalhabitatincludinggrassandshrubdominatedacreageisalsounderrepresentedacrosstheforestlandscape.CooperativeeffortswiththeWildlifeDivisionofDNRwillmaintainover150acresofrecentlandacquisitionsinthishabitat.Furtheracquisitionscomposedofthishabitattypeareinreviewandmaypotentiallybroadentheoccurrenceofthishabitatnicheontheforest.

• PGSF—SeePGSFFY-17AWPforVII.WatershedProtectionComp19LostlandRunHWAMitigation/RedSprucePlantingsmall(1acre.annual)NativeRedSpruceplanting.LongstandingHemlockProtectionProgramwithMDA;involvingIPAapproachtohemlockprotection/preservationinimportantstands.

• CF/PSF-PrescribedfirehasbeenusedtomaintainopenandearlysuccessionalareasontheFMU(i.e.Brookviewponds,PowellRdESA,Furnacelupinesite,etc.)

6.3.a.2Whenarareecologicalcommunityispresent,modificationsaremadeinboththemanagementplananditsimplementationinordertomaintain,restoreorenhancetheviabilityofthecommunity.Basedonthevulnerabilityoftheexistingcommunity,conservationzonesand/orprotectedareasareestablishedwherewarranted.

C FMEdemonstratesexceptionaleffortstoidentifyrareecologicalcommunitiesforprotection,managementand/orrestoration.Duringharvestsvisitedin2017,ESAsandotherprotectedareaswerenotedonmapswhenadjacentorwithintimbersaleboundaries.Criticalhabitatshavebeenmappedforstatelistedoruncommonspecies,shalebarrenscommunities,oldgrowthandpotentialoldgrowth,vernalpoolsanduniqueopenhabitatsinstateforestmanagementplans.Inmostcases,theseareasarenotenteredwithequipment.Perinterviewswithstaff,forearlysuccessionalhabitatthatisnotwell-representedonthe

landscape,FMEisattemptingtocoordinatemoreopportunitiestocombinetimbersaleandprescribedfirelayouttoreducecosts.

6.3.a.3Whentheyarepresent,managementmaintainsthearea,structure,composition,andprocessesofallType1andType2oldgrowth.Type1and2oldgrowtharealsoprotectedandbufferedasnecessarywithconservationzones,unlessanalternativeplanisdevelopedthatprovidesgreateroverallprotectionofoldgrowthvalues.Type1OldGrowthisprotectedfromharvestingandroadconstruction.Type1oldgrowthisalsoprotectedfromothertimbermanagementactivities,exceptasneededtomaintaintheecologicalvaluesassociatedwiththestand,includingoldgrowthattributes(e.g.,removeexoticspecies,conductcontrolledburning,andthinningfrombelowindryforesttypeswhenandwhererestorationisappropriate).Type2OldGrowthisprotectedfromharvestingtotheextentnecessarytomaintainthearea,structures,andfunctionsofthestand.TimberharvestinType2oldgrowthmustmaintainoldgrowthstructures,functions,andcomponentsincludingindividualtreesthatfunctionasrefugia(seeIndicator6.3.g).Onpubliclands,oldgrowthisprotectedfromharvesting,aswellasfromothertimbermanagementactivities,exceptifneededtomaintainthevaluesassociatedwiththestand(e.g.,removeexoticspecies,conductcontrolledburning,andthinningfrombelowinforesttypeswhenandwhererestorationisappropriate).

OnAmericanIndianlands,timberharvestmaybepermittedinType1andType2oldgrowthinrecognitionoftheirsovereigntyanduniqueownership.Timberharvestispermittedinsituationswhere:1. Oldgrowthforestscompriseasignificantportionofthe

tribalownership.2. Ahistoryofforeststewardshipbythetribeexists.3. HighConservationValueForestattributesaremaintained.4. Old-growthstructuresaremaintained.5. Conservationzonesrepresentativeofoldgrowthstandsare

established.

C FMEstaffreportedthattherehavebeennoharvestsorotheractivitiesthathavesignificantlyaffectedoldgrowthstands.

6. Landscapelevelconsiderationsareaddressed.7. Rarespeciesareprotected.6.3.bTotheextentfeasiblewithinthesizeoftheownership,particularlyonlargerownerships(generallytensofthousandsormoreacres),managementmaintains,enhances,orrestoreshabitatconditionssuitableforwell-distributedpopulationsofanimalspeciesthatarecharacteristicofforestecosystemswithinthelandscape.

C FMEstaffreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Managementactivitieswere

completedintheKasecampBottoms,Anthony’sRidge,TownCreekandKirkOrchardSWHAincludingseasonalmowing,fieldbordercutbacks,riparianshrubplantings,brushpileconstruction,andinvasivespeciessuppressiontoenhanceearlysuccessionwildlifehabitatstructure.

• SRSF—Allplannedandcompletedtimberharvestsincludewildlifehabitatimprovementelementsbycreatinganincreaseinearlysuccessionhabitatcriticaltoavarietyofspeciesinneedofconservationincludinggolden-wingedwarblers,Americanwoodcock,etc.

• PGSF—SeePGSFFY17-AWPIX.WildlifeMngt.Proposals:

• Comp25-14ismanagementinanESAforaStateEndangeredSpecies(bird).

• Comp40-1alsomanagementinanESAinvolvinghabitatimprovementforstateThreatened&EndangeredSpecies(reptiles).

• Routinepermanentgrassyopeningmngt.ofvarioussmallclearings/foodplotstobenefitawidevarietyofbothgameandnon-gamespecies.

• CF/PSF—nonereported6.3.cManagementmaintains,enhancesand/orrestorestheplantandwildlifehabitatofRiparianManagementZones(RMZs)toprovide:a) habitatforaquaticspeciesthatbreedinsurrounding

uplands;b) habitatforpredominantlyterrestrialspeciesthatbreedin

adjacentaquatichabitats;c) habitatforspeciesthatuseriparianareasforfeeding,

cover,andtravel;d) habitatforplantspeciesassociatedwithriparianareas;

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—29acresofriparianareawere

convertedfromabandonedagriculturefieldandplanted30,000treesandshrubstoestablishriparianbuffersandhabitatalongTownCreek.

• SRSF—AnnualWorkPlanmapsreferencenocutbuffersonbluelinestreamsandwetlandsaswellasMaryland’sBestManagementPracticesthatareimplementedonallsilviculturalactivitiestoensurethe

e) streamshadingandinputsofwoodandleaflitterintotheadjacentaquaticecosystem.

preservationofwaterqualityinadjacentwaterways.

• PGSF—1)NumerousjurisdictionalstreamculvertsassociatedwiththeLostLandRunRoadRestorationProject(asreviewedinlastyear’saudit).

• 2)Variousjurisdictionalstreamculvertsreplaced“in-house”:2OnCCCCampRoad,1inKindnessDemonstrationForest/HuttonArea,and1aboveLaurelRunArea/JennyDoveaccess.

• 3)Temp.bridgeassociatedwithharvestinPG-2016-S-01NorthHill-Comp14-12.

• CF/PSF—Multiplethinningsenteredour300’streambuffertoreducepinestocking,andafinalharvestwasadjacenttoastreambuffer.

Stand-scaleIndicators6.3.dManagementpracticesmaintainorenhanceplantspeciescomposition,distributionandfrequencyofoccurrencesimilartothosethatwouldnaturallyoccuronthesite.

C Asconfirmedinfieldsitevisits,allharvestsintheEasternRegionincluderetentionofoakandlargerdiameterlegacypinetrees.Someharvestsincludepineseedtreesofspeciesthatoccurnaturalonthesite,especiallyinthecaseofpond,pitch,andshort-leafpines.Otherhardwoods,suchasmaples,poplars,andgums,aremostlyretainedinno-harvestzonesandSMZs,aswellaswithinproductionareasduringthinnings.BaldcypresswasobservedinSMZs,whicharetypicalsitesforthisspecies.

6.3.eWhenplantingisrequired,alocalsourceofknownprovenanceisusedwhenavailableandwhenthelocalsourceisequivalentintermsofquality,priceandproductivity.Theuseofnon-localsourcesshallbejustified,suchasinsituationswhereothermanagementobjectives(e.g.diseaseresistanceoradaptingtoclimatechange)arebestservedbynon-localsources.Nativespeciessuitedtothesitearenormallyselectedforregeneration.

C SeedmixesaredeterminedbyMDDepartmentofWildlifeandaddressedintimberharvestcontracts(AttachmentE;mediumredclover,ladinoclover,orchardgrass,perennialryegrass,andtimothygrass).FMEreportedthefollowing:TheonlyartificialregenerationworkdoneonPGSFwasthesmall<1ac.RedSprucerestorationplantingdoneinLostLandRun;seedlingstockfromlocalAppalachian/AlleghanyPlateauseedsources.SeedlingsusedonplantedsitesweresourcedfromtheMarylandstatetreenursery,

whichtrackstheoriginsofgeneticmaterial.6.3.fManagementmaintains,enhances,orrestoreshabitatcomponentsandassociatedstandstructures,inabundanceanddistributionthatcouldbeexpectedfromnaturallyoccurringprocesses.Thesecomponentsinclude:a) largelivetrees,livetreeswithdecayordeclininghealth,

snags,andwell-distributedcoarsedownanddeadwoodymaterial.Legacytreeswherepresentarenotharvested;and

b) verticalandhorizontalcomplexity.Treesselectedforretentionaregenerallyrepresentativeofthedominantspeciesfoundonthesite.

C Asconfirmedinfieldsitevisits,allharvestsintheEasternRegionincluderetentionofoakandlargerdiameterlegacypinetrees.Someharvestsincludepineseedtreesofspeciesthatoccurnaturalonthesite,especiallyinthecaseofpond,pitch,andshort-leafpines.Otherhardwoods,suchasmaplesandgums,aremostlyretainedinno-harvestzonesandSMZs.Snagswereobservedonseveralharvestswithharvestareasandinno-harvestzones.Woodymaterialisretainedforuseonskidtrailstocontrolerosionandcompactionanddistributedoverharvestsites.Alltreespeciesselectedforretentionareofdominantspeciesofthesite.

6.3.g.1IntheSoutheast,Appalachia,Ozark-Ouachita,MississippiAlluvialValley,andPacificCoastRegions,wheneven-agedsystemsareemployed,andduringsalvageharvests,livetreesandothernativevegetationareretainedwithintheharvestunitasdescribedinAppendixCfortheapplicableregion.IntheLakeStatesNortheast,RockyMountainandSouthwestRegions,wheneven-agedsilviculturalsystemsareemployed,andduringsalvageharvests,livetreesandothernativevegetationareretainedwithintheharvestunitinaproportionandconfigurationthatisconsistentwiththecharacteristicnaturaldisturbanceregimeunlessretentionatalowerlevelisnecessaryforthepurposesofrestorationorrehabilitation.SeeAppendixCforadditionalregionalrequirementsandguidance.

C FMEreportedthefollowingeven-agedharvests:• GRSF-Alleven-agedregenerationharvests

carriedoutthisyearwerecompletedunderprinciplesofvariableretention.

• SRSF—Approximately105.2acresofevenagedharvestswerecompletedon130.2managementunitacres.97.2acresofmaturehardwoodwereregeneratedonfourstandsof35,17,32.4and12.8acres.Theremainingevenagedmanagementoccurredon8acresofthe1stfirstcutofatwo-ageshelterwoodsystem.Retentionobjectivesweremetforeachharvestwithmorethan5%oftheoriginalstandbeingretained.BuffersimplementedalongStreamsidemanagementzones,utilities,andHCVFensuredthatretentiontargetswouldbemetineachsilviculturaloperation.RefertotheFY-17AnnualWorkPlanaswellasthefinaltimberharvestcontractsforbuffer/exclusiondelineations.

• PGSF—1)SeePGSFFY17-AWPPG-2017-S-09HuttonComp43-7=small6ac.clearcutwithvariableretention,harvestwasunderourrequiredac.forretention,but5%retentionwasmadeperourstandard.

• 2)SeePGSFFY17-AWPPG-2017-S-10HuttonComp43-7=small(4ac.)failingpine,salvageclear-cut,noretentionrequired,noranyretained.

• CF/PSF—Twositeswerestartedwithinthepastyear.Neitherhasnotbeencompletedtodate,duetoweatherissues.

6.3.g.2Underverylimitedsituations,thelandownerormanagerhastheoptiontodevelopaqualifiedplantoallowminordeparturefromtheopeningsizelimitsdescribedinIndicator6.3.g.1.Aqualifiedplan:1.Isdevelopedbyqualifiedexpertsinecologicaland/or

relatedfields(wildlifebiology,hydrology,landscapeecology,forestry/silviculture).

2.Isbasedonthetotalityofthebestavailableinformationincludingpeer-reviewedscienceregardingnaturaldisturbanceregimesfortheFMU.

3.Isspatiallyandtemporallyexplicitandincludesmapsofproposedopeningsorareas.

4.Demonstratesthatthevariationswillresultinequalorgreaterbenefittowildlife,waterquality,andothervaluescomparedtothenormalopeningsizelimits,includingforsensitiveandrarespecies.

5.Isreviewedbyindependentexpertsinwildlifebiology,hydrology,andlandscapeecology,toconfirmtheprecedingfindings.

NA Noexemptionstoeven-agedmanagementrestrictionsassociatedwithindicator6.3.g.1anditsapplicableregionalsub-indicatorsweredetectedduringfieldvisitsorreviewofmanagementplanningdocumentation.

6.3.hTheforestownerormanagerassessestheriskof,prioritizes,and,aswarranted,developsandimplementsastrategytopreventorcontrolinvasivespecies,including:1. amethodtodeterminetheextentofinvasivespeciesand

thedegreeofthreattonativespeciesandecosystems;2. implementationofmanagementpracticesthatminimize

theriskofinvasiveestablishment,growth,andspread;3. eradicationorcontrolofestablishedinvasivepopulations

whenfeasible:and,4. monitoringofcontrolmeasuresandmanagementpractices

toassesstheireffectivenessinpreventingorcontrollinginvasivespecies.

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Ailanthuswastreatedinstandsprior

toharvesttreatmentsinstandsthatitwasknowntoexistandailanthuswastreatedinspecialwildlifehabitatareas.Furthermore,mowingoccurredinoldfieldareaswhereinvasiveshrubsexisttopreventestablishmentoftheseshrubssuchasbushhoneysuckle,autumnoliveandmulti-florarose.

• SRSF—treatedandismonitoringseveralplantcoloniesorsitesincluding:9JapaneseKnotweedsites,3TreeofHeavensites,2Mile-A-Minutesitesand1YellowArchangelsite.

• PGSF—SeePGSFFY17-AWPVIIIEcosystemRestoration/ProtectionProjects;notecontrolnecessaryon3NNISspottreatments,(ref.herbicideapplicationrecord.)

• CF/PSF—Mappingupdatesofknownandnewinvasivelocations,herbicideapplicationsonhighrecreationuseareastoslowthespreadofinvasivevegetation.

6.3.iInapplicablesituations,theforestownerormanageridentifiesandappliessite-specificfuelsmanagementpractices,basedon:(1)naturalfireregimes,(2)riskofwildfire,(3)potentialeconomiclosses,(4)publicsafety,and(5)applicablelawsandregulations.

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Noprescribedfireinpastyear.One

wildfireburnedapproximately2acresintheKirkOrchardarea.Nonaturalfiresoccurred.

• SRSF—Onewildfire(arson)totaling8.5acresinCompartment58.

• PGSF—None• CF/PSF—Multipleprescribedburnshave

beencompletedonvarioussites.ThemajoritieswereinornearESAZone1areas.

6.4.Representativesamplesofexistingecosystemswithinthelandscapeshallbeprotectedintheirnaturalstateandrecordedonmaps,appropriatetothescaleandintensityofoperationsandtheuniquenessoftheaffectedresources.

6.5Writtenguidelinesshallbepreparedandimplementedtocontrolerosion;minimizeforestdamageduringharvesting,roadconstruction,andallothermechanicaldisturbances;andtoprotectwaterresources.

6.6.Managementsystemsshallpromotethedevelopmentandadoptionofenvironmentallyfriendlynon-chemicalmethodsofpestmanagementandstrivetoavoidtheuseofchemicalpesticides.WorldHealthOrganizationType1Aand1Bandchlorinatedhydrocarbonpesticides;pesticidesthatarepersistent,toxicorwhosederivativesremainbiologicallyactiveandaccumulateinthefoodchainbeyondtheirintendeduse;aswellasanypesticidesbannedbyinternationalagreement,shallbeprohibited.Ifchemicalsareused,properequipmentandtrainingshallbeprovidedtominimizehealthandenvironmentalrisks.

6.7.Chemicals,containers,liquidandsolidnon-organicwastesincludingfuelandoilshallbedisposedofinanenvironmentallyappropriatemanneratoff-sitelocations.

6.8.Useofbiologicalcontrolagentsshallbedocumented, NE

minimized,monitored,andstrictlycontrolledinaccordancewithnationallawsandinternationallyacceptedscientificprotocols.Useofgeneticallymodifiedorganismsshallbeprohibited.6.9.Theuseofexoticspeciesshallbecarefullycontrolledandactivelymonitoredtoavoidadverseecologicalimpacts.

6.9.aTheuseofexoticspeciesiscontingentontheavailabilityofcrediblescientificdataindicatingthatanysuchspeciesisnon-invasiveanditsapplicationdoesnotposearisktonativebiodiversity.

NA FMEreportedthatnoexoticspecieshavebeenusedforcommercialormanagementpurposessincethelastaudit,whichtheauditorconfirmedinfieldobservation.NoneareusedintheEasternRegion.RefertoOBS2016.1and2016.3foruseofNorwayspruce(Piceaabies)intheWesternRegion.

6.9.bIfexoticspeciesareused,theirprovenanceandthelocationoftheirusearedocumented,andtheirecologicaleffectsareactivelymonitored.

NA See6.9.a.

6.9.cTheforestownerormanagershalltaketimelyactiontocurtailorsignificantlyreduceanyadverseimpactsresultingfromtheiruseofexoticspecies

NA See6.9.a.

6.10.Forestconversiontoplantationsornon-forestlandusesshallnotoccur,exceptincircumstanceswhereconversion:a)Entailsaverylimitedportionoftheforestmanagementunit;andb)DoesnotoccuronHighConservationValueForestareas;andc)Willenableclear,substantial,additional,secure,long-termconservationbenefitsacrosstheforestmanagementunit.

Principle#7:Amanagementplan--appropriatetothescaleandintensityoftheoperations--shallbewritten,implemented,andkeptuptodate.Thelong-termobjectivesofmanagement,andthemeansofachievingthem,shallbeclearlystated.7.1.Themanagementplanandsupportingdocumentsshallprovide:a. Managementobjectives.b)descriptionoftheforest

resourcestobemanaged,environmentallimitations,landuseandownershipstatus,socio-economicconditions,andaprofileofadjacentlands.

b. Descriptionofsilviculturaland/orothermanagementsystem,basedontheecologyoftheforestinquestionandinformationgatheredthroughresourceinventories.d)Rationaleforrateofannualharvestandspeciesselection.

e)Provisionsformonitoringofforestgrowthanddynamics.f)Environmentalsafeguardsbasedonenvironmentalassessments.g)Plansfortheidentificationandprotectionofrare,threatenedandendangeredspecies.

b) h)Mapsdescribingtheforestresourcebaseincludingprotectedareas,plannedmanagementactivitiesandlandownership.i)Descriptionandjustificationofharvestingtechniquesandequipmenttobeused.

7.1.aThemanagementplanidentifiestheownershipandlegalstatusoftheFMUanditsresources,includingrightsheldbytheownerandrightsheldbyothers.

7.1.bThemanagementplandescribesthehistoryoflanduseandpastmanagement,currentforesttypesandassociateddevelopment,sizeclassand/orsuccessionalstages,andnaturaldisturbanceregimesthataffecttheFMU(seeIndicator6.1.a).

C RefertoOBS2017.1.

7.1.cThemanagementplandescribes:a)currentconditionsofthetimberandnon-timberforestresourcesbeingmanaged;b)desiredfutureconditions;c)historicalecologicalconditions;andd)applicablemanagementobjectivesandactivitiestomovetheFMUtowarddesiredfutureconditions.

C RefertoOBS2017.1.

7.1.dThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofthelandscapewithinwhichtheFMUislocatedanddescribeshowlandscape-scalehabitatelementsdescribedinCriterion6.3willbeaddressed.

C RefertoOBS2017.1.

7.1.eThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofthefollowingresourcesandoutlinesactivitiestoconserveand/orprotect:• rare,threatened,orendangeredspeciesandnatural

communities(seeCriterion6.2);• plantspeciesandcommunitydiversityandwildlifehabitats

(seeCriterion6.3);• waterresources(seeCriterion6.5);• soilresources(seeCriterion6.3);• RepresentativeSampleAreas(seeCriterion6.4);• HighConservationValueForests(seePrinciple9);• Otherspecialmanagementareas.

NC RefertoCAR2017.2.

7.1.fIfinvasivespeciesarepresent,themanagementplandescribesinvasivespeciesconditions,applicablemanagement

objectives,andhowtheywillbecontrolled(seeIndicator6.3.j).7.1.gThemanagementplandescribesinsectsanddiseases,currentoranticipatedoutbreaksonforestconditionsandmanagementgoals,andhowinsectsanddiseaseswillbemanaged(seeCriteria6.6and6.8).

7.1.hIfchemicalsareused,theplandescribeswhatisbeingused,applications,andhowthemanagementsystemconformswithCriterion6.6.

7.1.iIfbiologicalcontrolsareused,themanagementplandescribeswhatisbeingused,applications,andhowthemanagementsystemconformswithCriterion6.8.

7.1.jThemanagementplanincorporatestheresultsoftheevaluationofsocialimpacts,including:• traditionalculturalresourcesandrightsofuse(see

Criterion2.1);• potentialconflictswithcustomaryusesanduserights(see

Criteria2.2,2.3,3.2);• managementofceremonial,archeological,andhistoric

sites(seeCriteria3.3and4.5);• managementofaestheticvalues(seeIndicator4.4.a);• publicaccesstoanduseoftheforest,andotherrecreation

issues;• localandregionalsocioeconomicconditionsandeconomic

opportunities,includingcreationand/ormaintenanceofqualityjobs(seeIndicators4.1.band4.4.a),localpurchasingopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.e),andparticipationinlocaldevelopmentopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.g).

7.1.kThemanagementplandescribesthegeneralpurpose,conditionandmaintenanceneedsofthetransportationnetwork(seeIndicator6.5.e).

7.1.lThemanagementplandescribesthesilviculturalandothermanagementsystemsusedandhowtheywillsustain,overthelongterm,forestecosystemspresentontheFMU.

7.1.mThemanagementplandescribeshowspeciesselectionandharvestratecalculationsweredevelopedtomeettherequirementsofCriterion5.6.

7.1.nThemanagementplanincludesadescriptionofmonitoringproceduresnecessarytoaddresstherequirementsofCriterion8.2.

7.1.oThemanagementplanincludesmapsdescribingthe NE

resourcebase,thecharacteristicsofgeneralmanagementzones,specialmanagementareas,andprotectedareasatalevelofdetailtoachievemanagementobjectivesandprotectsensitivesites.7.1.pThemanagementplandescribesandjustifiesthetypesandsizesofharvestingmachineryandtechniquesemployedontheFMUtominimizeorlimitimpactstotheresource.

7.1.qPlansforharvestingandothersignificantsite-disturbingmanagementactivitiesrequiredtocarryoutthemanagementplanarepreparedpriortoimplementation.Plansclearlydescribetheactivity,therelationshiptoobjectives,outcomes,anynecessaryenvironmentalsafeguards,healthandsafetymeasures,andincludemapsofadequatedetail.

7.1.rThemanagementplandescribesthestakeholderconsultationprocess.

7.2Themanagementplanshallbeperiodicallyrevisedtoincorporatetheresultsofmonitoringornewscientificandtechnicalinformation,aswellastorespondtochangingenvironmental,socialandeconomiccircumstances.

7.3Forestworkersshallreceiveadequatetrainingandsupervisiontoensureproperimplementationofthemanagementplans.

7.4Whilerespectingtheconfidentialityofinformation,forestmanagersshallmakepubliclyavailableasummaryoftheprimaryelementsofthemanagementplan,includingthoselistedinCriterion7.1.

Principle#8:Monitoringshallbeconducted--appropriatetothescaleandintensityofforestmanagement--toassesstheconditionoftheforest,yieldsofforestproducts,chainofcustody,managementactivitiesandtheirsocialandenvironmentalimpacts.8.1Thefrequencyandintensityofmonitoringshouldbedeterminedbythescaleandintensityofforestmanagementoperations,aswellas,therelativecomplexityandfragilityoftheaffectedenvironment.Monitoringproceduresshouldbeconsistentandreplicableovertimetoallowcomparisonofresultsandassessmentofchange.

8.1.aConsistentwiththescaleandintensityofmanagement,theforestownerormanagerdevelopsandconsistentlyimplementsaregular,comprehensive,andreplicablewrittenmonitoringprotocol.

C AllmonitoringoccursperestablishedinSFMPsandAWPs,andasperFME’sproceduresandpolicies.Certainmonitoringisrequiredbelegislation,suchasforaccountingpurposes.FMEalsodemonstratedBMPmanuals,someofwhichincluderecommendedmonitoringpractices.

Certainsystems,includingsoftwareandsilviculturalsystems,haveassociatedmanualsandguidelinesthatincludemonitoringprotocols.Forexample,intheWesternRegiontheSILVAHsystemisusedtomonitoroakregenerationandgrowth.

8.2.Forestmanagementshouldincludetheresearchanddatacollectionneededtomonitor,ataminimum,thefollowingindicators:a)yieldofallforestproductsharvested,b)growthrates,regeneration,andconditionoftheforest,c)compositionandobservedchangesinthefloraandfauna,d)environmentalandsocialimpactsofharvestingandotheroperations,ande)cost,productivity,andefficiencyofforestmanagement.

8.2.a.1Forallcommerciallyharvestedproducts,aninventorysystemismaintained.Theinventorysystemincludesataminimum:a)species,b)volumes,c)stocking,d)regeneration,ande)standandforestcompositionandstructure;andf)timberquality.

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Allareasthatreceivedafinalharvest

inthelast2-5yearswereinventoriedinthelastyeartomonitorandevaluateregeneration.Furthermore,allstandsproposedforregenerationharvestswereinventoriedtoevaluatepotentialforregenerationandguideprescriptionforregenerationharvestmethods.

• SRSF—Inventoryhasbeencompletedwithintheharvestableareasofthestateforest.RegenerationdatawasgatheredforallFY-18proposals.

• PGSF—Forest–wideinventorycompleted2yearsago.Regenerationmonitoringplanscallfor5yr.(growingseasons)resurveyafterharvestcompletion.1stharvestssincecompletedsinceinventoried,arecomingduethissummer.

• CF/PSF—OurCFIandforestinventoryprocedurewascompletedin2016.Yieldtableswerecreatedfromtheinventorydata,andourforestmodelwasupdated.Regenerationsurveyshavebeenconductedonrecentharvestsites.

8.2.a.2Significant,unanticipatedremovalorlossorincreasedvulnerabilityofforestresourcesismonitoredandrecorded.

C FMEreportednorecenttimbertheftduringinterviewswithforestmanagers.Nonewmajor

Recordedinformationshallincludedateandlocationofoccurrence,descriptionofdisturbance,extentandseverityofloss,andmaybebothquantitativeandqualitative.

stormordiseaseeventswerereportedin2017.

8.2.bTheforestownerormanagermaintainsrecordsofharvestedtimberandNTFPs(volumeandproductand/orgrade).RecordsmustadequatelyensurethattherequirementsunderCriterion5.6aremet.

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—411,591BFsawtimber,914cords

pulpwood• SRSF—941,285boardfeetand1,105cords

ofpulpwood• PGSF—ByendofFY-17(June30),willhave

520,937Bd.Ft.undercontract• CF/PSF—42,293tons;646MBFRefertoTimberSaleSummaryFY2016in5.6.b.Harvestrecordsforlump-sum,stumpage,andgatewoodsaleswerereviewedatParkerForestryServices.

8.2.cTheforestownerormanagerperiodicallyobtainsdataneededtomonitorpresenceontheFMUof:1) Rare,threatenedandendangeredspeciesand/ortheir

habitats;2) Commonandrareplantcommunitiesand/orhabitat;3) Location,presenceandabundanceofinvasivespecies;4) Conditionofprotectedareas,set-asidesandbufferzones;5) HighConservationValueForests(seeCriterion9.4).

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—Woodcocksinginggroundsurvey,

woodturtleandherpalologysurveys,wildturkeypoultproduction,beardenreproductionsurveys,bearbaitsurveys,nightjarsurvey,golden-wingedwarblersurvey,cameratrappingsurveysforspottedskunk.

• SRSF—Variousresearchprojectshavebeenongoingthroughouttheforestfocusingonaplethoraofplantandanimalcommunitiesincludingnorthernlong-earedbats,Americanchestnut,easternred-backedsalamanders,millipedes,golden-wingedwarblers,AlleghenywoodratsandMonardadidyma.Projectstocontrolthenon-nativeinvasivespeciesgarlicmustardandJapanesespireawereconductedintheBearPenWildlands.WildlifeandHeritageDivisionofDNRhaveongoingmonitoringforblackbears,goldeneagles,stripedskunksandAppalachiancottontails.

• PGSF—DNRWildlifeandHeritageProgram’ssurveysforbothNewEnglandCottontailandSpottedSkunks,aswellasannualGoshawk

Nestingmonitoring.• CF/PSF—DelmarvaFoxSquirrelmonitoring

bytheUSFWS,batmonitoringbySalisburyUniversity&plantcommunitymonitoringbyourWildlife&HeritageUnit.

Duringtheaudit,FMEpresentedpublishedpapersonmonitoringresultsoftheFrostedElfinbutterfly,aswellasmonitoringincludedasapartofupdatedAWPs.

8.2.d.1Monitoringisconductedtoensurethatsitespecificplansandoperationsareproperlyimplemented,environmentalimpactsofsitedisturbingoperationsareminimized,andthatharvestprescriptionsandguidelinesareeffective.

C TimberSaleInspectionformsaremaintainedforharvestmonitoringvisitsandfinalizedattheendofharvest.ParkerForestryServicesdemonstratedinspectionformsforthesitesvisitedin2017.ParkerForestryServicesalsodemonstratedchemicalapplicationmapsthatshowapplicationtrailsandthatprotectedareaswereavoided.

8.2.d.2Amonitoringprogramisinplacetoassesstheconditionandenvironmentalimpactsoftheforest-roadsystem.

C AForestRoadsManagementForForestOperationsonMarylandStateForestshasbeenimplemented.ThispolicycreatesasystematicinventoryoftheStateForestroadsincludingORVtrails.ThisplandocumentseachroadsegmentanddrainagefeatureinaGIS-basedidentificationsystemandallowsthedevelopmentofapriorityplanforroadmaintenanceandfeaturereplacementthatisincorporatedintoannualworkplansforeachstateforest.

8.2.d.3Thelandownerormanagermonitorsrelevantsocio-economicissues(seeIndicator4.4.a),includingthesocialimpactsofharvesting,participationinlocaleconomicopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.g),thecreationand/ormaintenanceofqualityjobopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.b),andlocalpurchasingopportunities(seeIndicator4.1.e).

C FMEreportedthefollowing:• GRSF—NONE• SRSF—Five(5)trailcountershavebeen

installedthroughouttheforesttomonitorvisitornumbersandthedataisdownloadedatregularintervals.

• PGSF—WesternStateForestshaveengagedincooperativeprojectwithFrostburgStateUniversitytocarryoutaRecreation/TourismEconomicImpactStudy,withsurveyworkslatedtobeginnowinApril2017.

• CF/PSF—Monitoringofsocialmediasitesrelatedtorecreationaltrailuse.

8.2.d.4Stakeholderresponsestomanagementactivitiesaremonitoredandrecordedasnecessary.

C Ateachstateforestacomplaintslogismaintained.Thiswasexaminedandresolutiontoeachcommentisdocumentedwhentheissuehasbeeninvestigatedandclosed.

8.2.d.5Wheresitesofculturalsignificanceexist,theopportunitytojointlymonitorsitesofculturalsignificanceisofferedtotribalrepresentatives(seePrinciple3).

C TherearenosuchsitesontheFMU.However,FMEofferedthisopportunitytoTribesparticipatingintheCACinthepast.Inaddition,FMEiscooperatingwiththeMDCommissionofIndianAffairsThemostsignificantchangesincethelastauditisthatmanagersintheEasternRegionhaveinitiatedcontactwithanewrecognizedtribalrepresentativeandaretryingtoattaintribalparticipationontheCAC.

8.2.eTheforestownerormanagermonitorsthecostsandrevenuesofmanagementinordertoassessproductivityandefficiency.

C FMEreportedthatCF/PSFholdsquarterly&biweeklymeetingswiththeContractManager.AllstateforestshaveweeklyBMPinspectionsofharvestingoperations.CostandrevenueismonitoredaspartoftheAWPprocess.AMPscontainasummaryofcostandrevenueinformation.EachSFhasitsownoperationalbudget.EachSFmaintainsaspreadsheetandreportsthesetostateofficesinAnnapolis.Accountingreviewsallexpenditures.

8.3Documentationshallbeprovidedbytheforestmanagertoenablemonitoringandcertifyingorganizationstotraceeachforestproductfromitsorigin,aprocessknownasthe"chainofcustody."

8.4Theresultsofmonitoringshallbeincorporatedintotheimplementationandrevisionofthemanagementplan.

8.4.aTheforestownerormanagermonitorsanddocumentsthedegreetowhichtheobjectivesstatedinthemanagementplanarebeingfulfilled,aswellassignificantdeviationsfromtheplan.

C MonitoringresultsofongoingprojectsarefrequentlyreportedoninAWPs,includingonwhetherprojectobjectivesarebeingmet.MonitoringreportsarealsopublishedontheFME’swebsite.BMPmonitoringandforestinventoryupdatesoccuronscheduleeveryfewyearssothatachievementofforestmanagementobjectivescanbeassessed.

8.4.bWheremonitoringindicatesthatmanagementobjectives C Regularmanagementplanningupdateprocesses

andguidelines,includingthosenecessaryforconformancewiththisStandard,arenotbeingmetorifchangingconditionsindicatethatachangeinmanagementstrategyisnecessary,themanagementplan,operationalplans,and/orotherplanimplementationmeasuresarerevisedtoensuretheobjectivesandguidelineswillbemet.IfmonitoringshowsthatthemanagementobjectivesandguidelinesthemselvesarenotsufficienttoensureconformancewiththisStandard,thentheobjectivesandguidelinesaremodified.

underC7.2arebeingusedtoensurethatmonitoringinformationisbeingincorporatedintotheplans.SinceAWPsareprepared18monthspriortothebeginningofthefiscalyear,resultsofmonitoringareregularlyusedtomodifyandupdatemanagementapproaches.TheSFMPsintheEasternRegionwasupdatedtoincorporatetheresultsofDFSrecoveryefforts,especiallyinadjustingapproachestoclassifyingsuitablehabitatandtranslocation.IntheWesternRegion,useoftheSILVAHsystemhaschangedsomeoftheapproachestomonitoringregenerationandmakingdecisionsonstandtreatments,asincludedinAWPs.

8.5Whilerespectingtheconfidentialityofinformation,forestmanagersshallmakepubliclyavailableasummaryoftheresultsofmonitoringindicators,includingthoselistedinCriterion8.2.

8.5.aWhileprotectinglandownerconfidentiality,eitherfullmonitoringresultsoranup-to-datesummaryofthemostrecentmonitoringinformationismaintained,coveringtheIndicatorslistedinCriterion8.2,andisavailabletothepublic,freeoratanominalprice,uponrequest.

C ThereisamonitoringtabincludedineachStateForest’swebpage.Also,eachAWPincludesasectiononupdatestomonitoringprojects.AllelementsofCriterion8.2areaddressed.SeealsoresponsetoMajorCAR2014.14foramorecompletelistingofpubliclyavailablemonitoringresults.

Principle#9:Managementactivitiesinhighconservationvalueforestsshallmaintainorenhancetheattributeswhichdefinesuchforests.Decisionsregardinghighconservationvalueforestsshallalwaysbeconsideredinthecontextofaprecautionaryapproach.HighConservationValueForestsarethosethatpossessoneormoreofthefollowingattributes:a) Forestareascontainingglobally,regionallyornationallysignificant:concentrationsofbiodiversityvalues(e.g.,

endemism,endangeredspecies,refugia);and/orlargelandscapelevelforests,containedwithin,orcontainingthemanagementunit,whereviablepopulationsofmostifnotallnaturallyoccurringspeciesexistinnaturalpatternsofdistributionandabundance

b) Forestareasthatareinorcontainrare,threatenedorendangeredecosystemsc) Forestareasthatprovidebasicservicesofnatureincriticalsituations(e.g.,watershedprotection,erosioncontrol)d) Forestareasfundamentaltomeetingbasicneedsoflocalcommunities(e.g.,subsistence,health)and/orcriticalto

localcommunities’traditionalculturalidentity(areasofcultural,ecological,economicorreligioussignificanceidentifiedincooperationwithsuchlocalcommunities).

9.1AssessmenttodeterminethepresenceoftheattributesconsistentwithHighConservationValueForestswillbecompleted,appropriatetoscaleandintensityofforest

management.9.2Theconsultativeportionofthecertificationprocessmustplaceemphasisontheidentifiedconservationattributes,andoptionsforthemaintenancethereof.

9.3Themanagementplanshallincludeandimplementspecificmeasuresthatensurethemaintenanceand/orenhancementoftheapplicableconservationattributesconsistentwiththeprecautionaryapproach.Thesemeasuresshallbespecificallyincludedinthepubliclyavailablemanagementplansummary.

9.4Annualmonitoringshallbeconductedtoassesstheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedtomaintainorenhancetheapplicableconservationattributes.

9.4.aTheforestownerormanagermonitors,orparticipatesinaprogramtoannuallymonitor,thestatusofthespecificHCVattributes,includingtheeffectivenessofthemeasuresemployedfortheirmaintenanceorenhancement.ThemonitoringprogramisdesignedandimplementedconsistentwiththerequirementsofPrinciple8.

C FMEreportedthatitsWildlife&HeritageUnitcontinuestomonitorESAspostrestorationtreatmentonhighprioritysites.DNRFisheriesdoregularBrooktroutmonitoringinSFstreams,MarylandBiologicalStreamSurveyhasdatacollectionpointsonseveralstreams(allinHCVFstreambuffers),MDMarylandDepartmentofAgricultureHemlockWoolyAdelgidprotectioneffortsaremonitoredbyMDAforeffectiveness,mostofthesestandsarewithinHCVFareas,includingthe50ft.streambuffers.FMEhasonlyreportedonactivitiesrelatedtothemanagementofsignificantconcentrationsofRTEspecies,suchastheDelmarvaFoxSquirrel.WhilemanyHCVsrelyonpassivemanagementapproaches,NaturalHeritagestaffconductannualreviewsoftheseareasbasedonasamplingprotocol.PublicationsonFrostedElfinbutterflyhabitatwereprovidedasevidenceofmonitoringofthissignificantconcentrationofRTEspeciespopulation.

9.4.bWhenmonitoringresultsindicateincreasingrisktoaspecificHCVattribute,theforestowner/managerre-evaluatesthemeasurestakentomaintainorenhancethatattribute,andadjuststhemanagementmeasuresinanefforttoreversethetrend.

C FMEhasnotreportedanyincreasingriskstospecificHCVattributesundertheircontrol.

APPENDICES

APPENDIXC:REGIONALLIMITSANDOTHERGUIDELINESONOPENINGSIZES,Indicator6.3.g.1ThisAppendixcontainsregionalIndicatorsandguidancepertinenttomaximumopeningsizesandotherguidelinesfordeterminingsizeopeningsandretention.TheseIndicatorsarerequirementsbasedonFSC-USregionaldelineationsAPPALACHIAREGION6.3.g.1.aWheneven-agedsilviculture(e.g.,seedtree,regularorirregularshelterwood),ordefermentcuttingisemployed,livetreesandnativevegetationareretainedandopeningsizesarecreatedwithintheharvestunitinaproportionandconfigurationthatisconsistentwiththecharacteristicnaturaldisturbanceregimeineachcommunitytype,unlessretentionatalowerlevelisnecessaryforrestorationorrehabilitationpurposes.Harvestopeningswithnoretentionarelimitedto10acres.Guidance:Even-agesilvicultureisusedonlywherenaturallyoccurringspeciesaremaintainedorenhanced.Retentionwithinharvestunitscanincluderiparianandstreamsidebuffersandotherspecialzones.Inaddition,desirableoverstoryandunderstoryspeciesmayberetainedoutsideofbuffersorspecialzoneswhileallowingforregenerationofshade-intolerantandintermediatespeciesconsistentwithoverallmanagementprincipals.Wherestandshavebeendegraded,lessretentioncanbeusedtoimprovebothmerchantableandnon-merchantableattributes.

NE TheWesternRegionoftheFMUwasnotvisitedin2017.

6.3.g.1.bWhenunevenagesilviculturaltechniquesareused(e.g.,individualtreeselectionorgroupselection),canopyopeningsarelessthan2.5acres.Applicabilitynote:Unevenagesilviculturaltechniquesareusedwhentheymaintainorenhancetheoverallspeciesrichnessandbiologicdiversity,regenerate-shadetolerantorintermediate-tolerantspecies,and/orprovidesmallcanopyopeningstoregenerateshade-intolerantandintermediatespecies.Uneven-agetechniquesaregenerallyusedtodevelopforestswithatleastthreeageclasses.Unevenagesilvicultureisemployedtopreventhigh-gradingand/ordiameterlimitcutting.

NE TheWesternRegionoftheFMUwasnotvisitedin2017.

SOUTHEASTREGION6.3.g.1.aPrimaryandnaturalforests:clear-cuttingisnotallowed.Harvestingisnotallowedatallinprimaryforests.Semi-naturalforests:standswithtreesgreaterthan100yearsold:clear-cuttingisnotallowed;even-agedstandsofhardwoodandcypress:clear-cuttingisallowed;thesizeofopenings

C WithintheEasternStateForests(SoutheastRegion)even-agedsilvicultureincludingfinalstageofshelterwood(overstoryremoval)andclearcutsarerestrictedtopreviouslyestablishedpinestandsthatarebeingmanagedassemi-natural/naturalstandsandopeningsthatarelessthan40acresinsize.Anotableexceptionto

shouldbeconservative.Even-agedstandsofpineandpine/hardwood:clear-cuttingisallowed;thesizeofopeningsshouldnotbehigherthanthelimitforplantationsandshouldbejustifiedbynaturalregenerationrequirements.Clear-cutsupto80acresareallowedincaseswherea40-acrestandwouldnotprovideenoughtimbervolumetosecureaneconomicallyoperabletimbersale,meaningthatthesalewouldnotattractabuyerand/orthelandownerwouldnotmakeaprofitfromthesale.Examplesofsuchcasesincludestandsthathavebeenhighgradedandthemostvaluablespeciesoftreeshavealreadybeenremoved,orwhereasitehasbeenplantedwithinappropriate,poorlygrowingspeciesandthelandowner/managerwantstoclearandrestorethesite.Thisexceptioncannotbeusedwhena40-acreclearcutwouldbeeconomicallyoperableandalandownerwantstocut80acressimplytomakeagreaterprofit.Clearcutsupto80acresareallowedincaseswhereharvestingastandin40acreblockswouldcauseunnecessaryenvironmentaldisturbancetotheareasurroundingthestand.Anexceptiontoallofthelimitsontheuseandsizeofclearcutscanbemadeincasesofecologicnecessity.Clearcuttingmaybeusedinnaturalforeststands--whereappropriateandnecessary--asatoolformaintainingecosystemsthataredependentonlarge,contiguousopenings.Anexampleisthesandpinescrubecosystem,whichsupportstheecologicallysignificantFloridascrubjayandiscurrentlybeingmanagedwithlarge,contiguousclear-cuts.Ecologistsurgetheuseoflargeclearcutsinthesandpinescrubecosystemtomimicthestand-replacing,catastrophicfiresthathistoricallymaintainedtheecosystem.Thisexceptionmayonlybeusedwhensupportedbyscientificliterature.

clearcutopeningsizesisinthecaseofrestorationplansdevelopedincooperationwiththeFMENaturalHeritagetore-establishDelmarvaBays,whicharebasedonbestavailablescience.Seealsosection2.1(fieldtour).TherearenolimitationsonopeningsizelimitsintheSoutheasternregionalindicators;however,therearesuggestedopeningsizelimits(80acres).Theaverageclearcutsizeis40acres,butFMEhashadopeningsthatof120-160acresinthecaseofrestorationofwetlandecosystemswherepinewasplantedorinvadedafterdisturbance(e.g.,NassawangoPinesRestorationProject).Inthesecases,wetlandhydrologyisoftenrestoredandpinesareremovedwiththeintentofrestoringnaturalplantcommunities.Nosuchsiteswerevisitedinthe2017audit.

Appendix6–ChainofCustodyIndicatorsforFMEs

ChainofCustodyindicatorswerenotevaluatedduringthisannualaudit.X

SCSTrademarkAnnexforFMEs:FSCTrademarks,FSC-STD-50-001V1-2N/A,doesnotuse/intendtouseFSCtrademarksforanypurposes(finishedwiththissection);orN/A,isfullyintegratedandalltrademarkusesaretreatedundertheCOCAnnextothisreportthatincludesafullreview

ofFSC-STD-40-004andFSC-STD-50-001.

NOTE:ThissectionisapplicableforallorganizationsthatuseorintendtouseanyFSCtrademarksforpromotionaland/oron-productpurposes.Forevaluationaudits,itisacceptabletomarkCiftheclientdemonstratesanadequateawarenessoftherequirementsthroughinterviewsandotherapplicableevidence.ArequirementshouldbemarkedNCandacorrespondingCARshouldbeissuedforanynonconformanceidentified,suchasuseofFSCtrademarkspriortograntingofcertification.

Descriptionofhowtheorganizationcurrentlyuses,orintendstouse,FSCtrademarksand/orlabels,includingbutnotlimitedtoprintedmaterials,Internetapplications,on-productlabeling,andotherpublic-facingmedia:

FMEmakespromotionaluseoftheFSCTrademarksonitswebsite,AnnualWorkPlans,andsomebrochures.FSCTrademarksonthewebsiteareincorrectandnotapproved.FMEcouldnotdemonstrateitstrademarkapprovalrecordsduringtheaudit.

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.9ProductsintendedtobelabeledorpromotedasFSCcertifiedareincludedintheorganization’scertifiedproductgrouplist.

X C NC Cw/Obs

Evidence:Confirmedviareviewofproductgrouplist,website,annualworkplans,andbrochure.

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.4,1.6–1.8,1.13–1.14TheorganizationdoesnotusetheFSCtrademarksinthefollowingways:

§ inconnectionwiththesaleorpromotionofFSCControlledWood(§1.4)§ inanywaythatcouldcauseconfusion,misinterpretationorlossofcredibilitytothe

FSCcertificationscheme(§1.6)§ toimplyanyFSCendorsementorresponsibilityoftheorganization’sactivitiesoutside

ofthecertificatescope(§1.7)§ toimplyanyFSCresponsibilityfortheproductionofproducts,documentsor

promotionalmaterials(§1.8)§ inproductbrandnames,companynamesorwebsitedomainnames(§1.13)§ translatedtoanotherlanguagewithnoEnglishincluded(§1.14)

X C NC Cw/Obs

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,7.2TheFSCtrademarksarenotusedtogetherwiththemarksofotherforestcertificationschemesinawaywhichimpliesequivalenceorinawaywhichisdisadvantageoustotheFSCtrademarksintermsofsizeorplacement.

X C NC Cw/Obs

Sections1.4,1.6–1.8,1.13,1.14,and7.2Evidence:Confirmedviareviewofannualworkplans,brochure,andwebsite.

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.11AnyinformationaboutFSCthatisinadditiontoFSCtrademarksandlabelsincludedinanymaterialhasbeengivenpriorapprovalbySCS.

C NC Cw/Obs

X N/A,noadditionalFSCinformation

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.15TheuseoftheFSC“checkmark-and-tree”logoisdirectlyaccompaniedbytheappropriatetrademarksymbols®or™(insuperscriptfont).Theappropriatesymbolalsoaccompaniesthefirstuseof“FSC”and“ForestStewardshipCouncil”inanytext.NOTES:

1. TheuseoftrademarkregistrationsymbolisnotrequiredforFSCclaimsinsalesanddeliverydocuments,orforthedisclaimer/statementspecifiedinrequirement7.5ofFSC-STD-50-001V1-2.Theregistrationsymbolisrequiredforanyotheruseofinitials“FSC”ondocuments;however,theomissionoftheuseoftrademarkregistrationsymbolinpromotionaltextsrelatedtoFSConinvoicetemplates,deliverynotesandsimilardocumentsispossibleifthesoftwareusedtoproducethesedocumentsdoesnotsupporttrademarkregistrationsymbols.Thisexceptiononlyappliestotheuseofthetrademarkregistrationsymbolfortheinitials“FSC”andthename“ForestStewardshipCouncil”.

2. InJanuary2014,inHongKong,FSCchangedthetrademarksymbolfrom®backtoTM.Companiesaffectedbythischangewhichhaveapprovedartworkwiththe®registeredtrademarksymbolfordistributioninHongKongmaycontinuetoproduce,distributeandsellintothemarketproductusingtheregisteredtrademarksymbolontheFSCtrademarksuntil1September2015,withanadditionalliquidationperiodofsixmonths,whichexpires1March2016.AllnewartworkmustusetheTMtrademarksymbol.

3. WheretheFSCinitialsareusedverticallyinthetraditionalwayofwritingforAsiannations,theregistrationstatussymbolmaybeusedinsuperscriptfontineitherthetoprightcorner(alongsideF),orthebottomrightcorner(alongsideC)aspreferred.Inthisinstance,mark“C”.

CX NC Cw/Obs

N/A,oneormoreofthenotedexceptionsapply

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.16AllFSCtrademarkuseshavebeensubmittedtoSCSforapproval.

CX NC Cw/Obs

Sections1.11,1.15and1.16Evidence:Confirmedviareviewofwebsite,annualworkplans,andbrochure.FirstmentionofForestStewardshipCouncilandFSCarenotfollowedbythe‘R’symbolandwebsitehasnotbeensubmittedforapprovaltoSCS.Noapprovalrecordswereavailable.SeeCAR2017.3.

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.10All(previouslyapproved)FSClabelsonlyusetheFSClabelartworkprovidedonthelabelgeneratororotherwiseissuedorapprovedbySCSorFSC.

X C NC Cw/Obs

N/A,noapprovedFSClabels

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,Sections10,11and12All(previouslyapproved)FSClabelsandlogosconformtothestandardrequirementsforcolorandfont(§10.1-10.3,11.5,11.7,11.9),formatandsize(§10.4-10.7,11.2,11.3,11.8),trademarksymbol(§10.8,11.4),FSCtrademarklicensecode(§10.9),labeltext(§10.10-10.15)and/orminilabelrequirements(§10.16-10.18).Thelabelorlogoisnotbeingmisusedinanymannerdescribedinsection12.2.

X C NC Cw/Obs

N/A,noapprovedFSClabels

Sections1.10,10,11and12.2Evidence:Confirmedviareviewofwebsite,annualworkplans,andbrochure.NologosareusedontheFSCwebsite.

PromotionaluseoftheFSCtrademarks

N/A,doesnotuse/intendtouseFSCtrademarksforpromotionalpurposes(SkipPromotionalsection)

NOTE:ThissectionisapplicableforallorganizationsthatuseorintendtouseFSCtrademarksforpromotionalpurposes.Forevaluationaudits,itisacceptabletomarkCiftheclientdemonstratesanadequateawarenessoftherequirementsthroughinterviewsandotherapplicableevidence.ArequirementshouldbemarkedNCandacorrespondingCARshouldbeissuedforanynonconformanceidentified,suchasuseofFSCtrademarkspriortograntingofcertification.

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,1.12,4.4TheFSCtrademarksarenotusedtopromoteproductqualityaspectsnotcoveredbyFSCcertification(§1.12).AnyclaimsregardingqualitiesoutsidethecontrolofFSC,suchasotherenvironmentalattributesoftheproduct,areseparatedfromtextaboutFSC(§4.4).

C NC Cw/Obs

X N/A,noadditionalqualityclaims

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,6.1Catalogues,brochures,andwebsitesmeetthefollowingrequirements:

a) Thepromotionalpanel,oratleasttheFSCtrademarklicensecode,isinaprominentplace.

b) Whentheproductsarenotallonthesamepage,alinkortextsuchas“LookforFSCcertifiedproducts”isincludednexttothepanel/code.

c) FSCcertifiedproductsareindicatedbyusingthelogoorwith“FSCcertified”intheproductdescription.

CX NC Cw/Obs

N/A,donotusetrademarksintheseitems

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,4.1ForlabeledstationeryandbrochuresprintedonFSC-certifiedpaper,thelabelisnotinsuchaprominentpositionastomakeitappearthatanyorganization(oritsproducts)representedinthepublicationisendorsedbyFSC.(E.g.theFSClabelisnotplacedonthefrontcoverofthebrochureornexttoimagesofforest-basedproductswhicharenotFSCcertified.)

C NC Cw/Obs

X N/A,nosuchlabeleditems

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,6.2FSCcertifiedproductsarenotpromotedusingonlytheSCSKingfisherand/orSCSGlobalServiceslogo.

X C NC Cw/Obs

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,7.3FSCtrademarksarenotusedatthetopofdocumenttemplatessuchasletterheads,salesdocumentsandemails.

X C NC Cw/Obs

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,7.4TheFSCtrademarksarenotusedonbusinesscardstopromotetheorganization’scertification.

X C NC

NOTE:Ifauthorizationwasdulyreceivedundertheprevioustrademarkstandard,theorganizationmayusetheexistingsupplyuntilitisdepleted.Inthiscase,theapprovalmustbeavailableandmusthavebeengrantedpriortoJuly1,2011.

Cw/Obs

N/A,approvalgrantedpriortoJuly1,2011

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,4.2IfabusinesscardisprintedonFSC-certifiedpaper,theminilabelwithproducttypeisusedatminimumsize.TheuseoftheminilabeldoesnotimplythattheorganizationisaffiliatedwithFSC.

C NC Cw/Obs

XN/A,nolabeledbusinesscards

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,8.1,8.2Allpromotionalitems(e.g.,mugs,pens,T-shirts,caps,banners,vehicles,etc.)display,atminimum,theFSClogoandFSCtrademarklicensecode(§8.1).Anypromotionalitemsmadewhollyorpartlyofwood(e.g.,pencils,memorysticks,etc.)meettheapplicablelabelingrequirementsspecifiedbyFSC-STD-40-004(§8.2).

C NC Cw/Obs

XN/A,noFSClabelsonpromotionalitems

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,8.3ForFSCtrademarksusedforpromotionattradefairstheorganizationhasclearlymarkedwhichproductsareFSCcertifiedandtheproductscarryanFSClabel;orifnoproductsaredisplayed,avisibledisclaimerstating,“AskforourFSCcertifiedproducts,”or,“WecanprovideFSCcertifiedproductsuponrequest,”ispresent.NOTE:UseoftexttodescribetheFSCcertificationoftheorganizationdoesnotrequireadisclaimer.

C NC Cw/Obs

N/A,noFSCtrademarksusedforpromotionattradefairs

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,9.1,9.2TheorganizationtakesfullresponsibilityfortheuseofFSCtrademarksbyinvestmentcompaniesandothersmakingfinancialclaimsbasedontheirFSCcertifiedoperations(§9.1).Anysuchclaimsareaccompaniedbythedisclaimer,“FSCisnotresponsibleforanddoesnotendorseanyfinancialclaimsonreturnsoninvestments”(§9.2).

C NC Cw/Obs

N/A,noinvestmentclaimsaboutFSCoperations

PromotionalTrademarksSectionEvidence:Confirmedviareviewofwebsite,annualworkplans,andbrochure.Thewebsitedoesnotmeetthefollowingrequirements:

a) Thepromotionalpanel,oratleasttheFSCtrademarklicensecode,isnotinaprominentplace.SeeCAR2017.3.

Numberandvarietyofpromotionaltrademarksandassociatedapprovalrecordsreviewed:Seewebsite,annualworkplans,andbrochure.Businesscardsdonothaveanytrademarks.

Rationalethatsamplechoiceissufficienttoconfirmsystemisfunctioningeffectivelyandasdescribed:Onlytheseusesweredetectedorreported.

UsingtheFSClabelsonproducts

X N/A,doesnotuse/intendtouseFSCon-product/packaginglabels(Skipsection11)

NOTE:ThissectionisapplicableforallorganizationsthatuseorintendtouseFSCtrademarksforon-productpurposes.Forevaluationaudits,itisacceptabletomarkCiftheclientdemonstratesanadequateawarenessoftherequirementsthroughinterviewsandotherapplicableevidence.ArequirementshouldbemarkedNCandacorrespondingCARshouldbeissuedforanynonconformanceidentified,suchasuseofFSCtrademarkspriortograntingofcertification.

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.1Foreachon-productclaim,theorganizationhasselectedthecorrectFSClabelbasedupontheFSCclaimthattheproducthasbeensuppliedwithorisqualifiedfor.NOTE:ForFM/COCcertificates,theFSClabelandclaimisFSC100%.

C NC Cw/Obs

SectionsFSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.1Evidence:

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.3TheFSClabelisclearlyvisibleontheproduct,itspackagingorboth.

C NC Cw/Obs

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.6Marksofotherforestrycertificationschemesarenotusedonthesameproduct(exceptforproductpromotionoreducationalpurposesinanFSClabeledpublication,aslongastherearenoclaimsaboutthepaperofthepublicationbeingcertifiedagainsttheothercertificationscheme(§2.6.1)).

C NC Cw/Obs

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,2.7WhenproductsarebeingmadeforsaletoretailerswhomaywishtousetheFSCtrademarkstopromotethem,theproductscarrytheFSClabeleitherontheproductoronpackagingwhichwillbevisibletotheconsumer.

C NC Cw/Obs

N/A,productsnotbeingmadeforsaletoretailers

FSC-STD-50-001V1-2,4.3WheretheFSClogowiththelicensecodeisappliedasaheatbrandorstencildirectlytotheproductwithoutallrequiredlabelelements,astandardlabelisalsousedeitheronthepackagingorattachedasastickerorhang-tag.

C NC Cw/Obs

N/A,nobrand/stencil

N/A,brand/stencilincludesallelements

Sections2.2–2.7,4.3Evidence:

Numberandvarietyofon-productlogosandassociatedapprovalrecordsreviewed:

Rationalethatsamplechoiceissufficienttoconfirmsystemisfunctioningeffectivelyandasdescribed:

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