Summer 1999 Volume 8, Number 3

BMP'S FOR LOG LANDINGS

Well planned and managed log landings will minimize impacts to the site, protect water quality, enhance visual quality, and often increase operation efficiency and safety. They also can be attractive, long term assets to a property.

PLANNING LOG LANDINGS

Identify site limitations and job needs. Coordinate harvest tree selection, skid trails, log landings and access roads.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Keep the number and size of landings to the minimum needed to operate safely and efficiently.
• Choose a site that will hold up under anticipated use by heavy equipment.
• Avoid sensitive areas, such as riparian management zones, waterways, coves, springs, seeps, and open sinkholes.
• Maintain an undisturbed buffer strip between log landings and sensitive areas.
• Locate landings on slightly sloping ground where soil and site characteristics facilitate drainage and minimize erosion problems.
• Design landings to provide safe access and visibility onto highway when next to public roads.
• Consider aesthetics when planting log landings next to roadways and other visually sensitive areas.
• When possible maintain a buffer screen next to public roads and trails for aesthetic purposes.
• Notify appropriate utility companies before locating landings near overhead and underground utilities.

CONSTRUCTION OF LANDINGS

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Minimize soil disturbance and clear only the size of landing needed.
• Clear high stumps, dead snags and other hazards. Construct water diversions to drain water away from the landing and onto a stable area of the forest floor.
• If leveling is necessary, cut and fill should not obstruct the natural drainage of the area.
• During construction use temporary erosion and sediment control practices (such as silt fences) where there are insufficient buffer strips next to waterways.

USE AND MAINTENANCE OF LOG LANDINGS

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Restrict fueling and maintenance activities to designated areas of the landing. Handle all fuels and lubricants with care to avoid spills.
• Avoid use of the landing when conditions may lead to soil movement off site or when extensive rutting can occur and affect site and water quality.
• Apply coarse stone or other stabilizing cover as needed in extreme conditions.
• Leave log cutoffs in the woods or a designated area of the landing to minimize work hazards and improve landing efficiency and appearance.
• Minimize soil compaction, rutting and logging debris on agricultural and other non-forest lands.
• Keep the public road beds clean of mud and debris and maintain the public road drainage system.
• Maintain water diversion and erosion control measures to control runoff into and from the landing.

CLOSING LANDINGS

GENERAL GUIDELINES

• Remove all trash, containers, equipment and other contractor materials.
• Leave the landing in a usable condition, free of large ruts and logging debris.
• Do not block drainages with log cutoffs or other landing debris.
• Cut or lop standing snags and unsightly tree tops in visually sensitive areas. Visually sensitive areas may include landings next to roadways, residences and property access points.
• Seed and mulch landings, where there is significant erosion or aesthetic concern. Lime and fertilizer maybe needed on some landings to achieve adequate and rapid revegetation.
• Install appropriate traffic barriers where needed to prevent off-road vehicle damage to recently stabilized areas and other conservation efforts.

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