FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN
FOREST MANAGEMENT PLAN PART 1:
Management Objectives for Entire Parcel
GOALS:
The primary objective for management of this property is to maintain a healthy forest as a wildlife habitat, and as a recreational area for hiking and cross-country skiing. Future timber harvests will be conducted only when such harvests increase the health of the forest. Harvested wood will be utilized as firewood and for construction projects on the property. Ample dead trees or snags shall be left standing to benefit cavity nesting birds. Thinning will be utilized to release those trees most beneficial to wildlife and to increase growth of valuable saw-timber trees. Trail construction shall take advantage of existing skid roads where practical. An orange blazed trail exists on the eastern boundary of the property and climbs along that boundary to the scenic overlook above Joe's ledges. Middle Mountain Trail passes along the northern boundary of the property and Gates Brook Trail is just east of the property. The orange blazed trail, a 1917 AMC trail which originated at the original "Gate's Cottage", will be restored and expanded along with additional hiking/ski trails throughout the property. A building site will be prepared with construction to occur by 1998 or 1999. The building site will utilize the S curve log/skid road as a drive-way from North Road to a planned building site at the former log landing. Home construction will likely occur at the front or rear of the landing. Approximately 2 acres in a natural bowl behind and to the north of the landing will be thinned to allow an open forest with low grasses and/or pasture. That opening will likely be fenced and a barn or cottage erected at the back of the opening.
During the period 1995 through 1998, the property will be managed by the absentee owners from their home in Indianapolis, Indiana. It is the intent of the owners to personally inspect and conduct field work at the property at least one week per year during this period, and to increase those visits during 1997. The owner's shall also make efforts to attend forest management courses offered by the Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests. The owners have become members of the SPNHF, and of the Appalachian Mountain Club and Randolph Mountain Club, and will use resources of those organizations to assist in forest management and trail design. The property was taxed at "In Current Use" at the time of purchase, and a Form A-10 (Current Use Application) was filed to continue that classification shortly after purchase. The taxing authority was advised of the owner's intention to more closely manage this property and to request a later change in classification. An examination of the property was conducted by the UNH cooperative extension agent on 4-29-95, in conjunction with the owner. The results of that exam were received on 5-30-95 and were used in preparation of this management plan, and for the later filing of a revised Form A-10. The revised Form A-10 will request a change in the "In Current Use" classification, which is currently "All Other - Unmanaged Forest", to a classification of "Hardwood, All Other, and Unproductive Land, With Responsible Stewardship" as identified by individual stand. The requested new classification will not be effective until tax year 1996. At the time of construction, approximately 4 acres will be removed from "In Current Use Classification", and will be subject to a Land Use Change Tax. The land to be removed from "In Current Use" will include a drive-way of approximately 1/2 acre, a building site and curtilage of approximately 1 acre, a fenced clearing of approximately 2 acres with a barn or guest cottage at the rear, and an additional drive to the rear of the clearing of approximately 1/2 acre.
The last timber harvest on the property occurred between 1987 and 1989, and was managed by Arthur M. York Land Services Company. Mr. York has indicated that the property was heavily cut during the 1960's and that his cutting in 1988 was selective to harvest hemlock stands and mature hardwoods, with the purpose of improving overall condition of the property. The following volumes were removed in 1987-1989:
The owner of the property received saw-log stumpage in the amount of $12,000 or approximately $58.40/mbf, and pulpwood stumpage in the amount of $3,000 or $5.90/cord. Mr. York advised that no logging was conducted above the ledges, but that he was preparing a timber sale of 160 acres belonging to Gorham Land Company, which lies adjacent to the northwest corner of First Mountain property. Mr. York offered to arrange access for cutting on the mountain summit if requested. The offer was declined in compliance with this management plan.
Summary of 1999 Plan Addendum Prepared by Forester
This stewardship plan was written for the Stewardship Incentive Program, a cost-shared program, administered by UNH Cooperative Extension and the USDA through Farm Service Agency (FSA).
The major woodland soil types are Monadnock, Berkshire, Colton and various combinations of the above with Tunbridge, Lyman, Hermon, and Peru. A soils map is provided, and keyed to type descriptions. A woodlands management and productivity chart, and non-technical soils description report are included in this plan. These were obtained from the local Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS).
Stone walls were not encountered while exploring the property. No rare or endangered plant or animal species are known to occur on the property. Damage was done by the recent ice storm, with elevations above 1,500' sustaining the most serious damage.
Clearing the existing recreational trails of trees and brush should be done as soon as possible through cost-sharing (SIP-9). An application for this practice should be submitted immediately. A salvage harvest is not practical,and would compromise the objectives in the original plan. It is not recommended. Skid trails in need of erosion control and seeding should be done following advice from NRCS. These trails are are important access to the property and existing recreational trails. This work is also covered by cost-sharing and should be applied for (SIP5). Skid trails in Stands 1, 2, and 4, although not severely damaged by the ice storm, could be upgraded to provide motorized access to the trails in need of debris removal. About 4,500 feet of access trail is in need of improvement in Stands 2 and 4 to provide motorized access to the iced damaged stands. If approved, cost-sharing is available through the Farm Service Agency (FSA).
It would be helpful to provide an accurate trail map after the trails are cleared. This could be done using current sattelite technology, although it is not covered by cost share funds.
A wildlife biologist would provide assistance to further add to the recommendations in this addendum. Wildlife projects, such as wildlife shrub planting, would best be done in the spring in some of the open areas where damaged trees are removed along the trails. Regular stewardship funds (SIP-8), when available, provide cost share for wildlife habitat improvement practices. Another program called WHIP (Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program), run by the NRCS, also provides funds for wildlife improvement practices. The stands with wildlife objectives, should be carefully inspected to identify wildlife shrubs or trees . Serviceberry, cherry, hazel, beech, oak, sumac, dogwood and various viburnums should be released. Stands with areas of heavier stocking, provide cover for wildlife adjacent to available browse from the previous harvest. Brush piles should be built using brush cleared in the release of wildlife shrubs or trees. Removal of ice damaged trees will improve aesthetics and provide a base for building brush piles. Build the pile around a raised support like a stump or log. It would be best to build the piles along the edge of the browse areas. New browse will be created from stump sprouts when trees are cut for trail clearing, timber stand improvement, and wildlife habitat improvement work. Piles increase the aesthetics value, while providing den sites for chipmunks, mice, shrews and weasels.
Another potential stewardship project that is currently being offered in the Stewardship Program is the building of trails. Trails in Stands 2, 5, 7, and 8 are in need of clearing for use, using ice damage funds (SIP-9). It is estimated that a total of one mile of trail is in need of debris removal caused by the ice storm. This practice could be considered after the existing trails are cleared of debris. Before the trails are cleared, they should be flagged with the assistance of a forester. This will provide a chance to identify trees to protect or remove and to provide direction to the trail clearing crew. The cost of the forester's supervision is covered under forest improvement (SIP-3) More trails could be made to connect to the existing ones in Stands 2, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Layout of the trails should also be flagged with the assistance of a forester. These practices are funded, if approved, by the Extension Forestry educator, and funding granted through the Farm Service Agency process.
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Part 2: Location,
Boundary, & Stand Maps
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