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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1999-09-27 99-332 ORDERCOUNCILACTION Item No. mal Date: September 27, 1999 Item/Subject: Order, Adopting Bangor City Forest Stewardship Incentive plan Responsible Department; Public Wake The City Forest Stewardship Incentive Plan prepared by Charles Sampson provides a long-range plan for development of the City forest. The adoption of this plan is crucial to the grant application submitted to the Maine Forest S ricethis past spring. The plan will be used tojustify anions turen in the City Fored, after the ice dorm, m remove dangerous trees, branches, and downed limbs near trach. This plan also provNes a ton year capital plan for the forest, allowing the Maine Forest Service to consider funding a requested $330.000 in City Forest wank. The key to MIs consideration is the acre tince of this StexaNship Plan. The most immediam Impart of MIs plan a the release of funds requested under the Maine Forest Service gam request for damages Inflicted during the January 1990 ice storm. Mr. Simpson points out mat although the ice storm damage wasclassimiJ as light therewesdamage Mthetregofthe City Forest. Thisdamagedces need to he repalretl because some limbs and branches are harping, creating a danger to the public using the Forest as well as the opportunity for add bound damage W other living trees. Ocher branches are lying on or car the trails, causing obstructions and preseming fuel for increased fire danger. In eight mtlse subareas of the Forest, the ice storm ceased suNk3ent damage M require remedial action m lower the fire risk. Mr. Simpson recommend clearing debris along the traps in mese eight areas for fire miagadon. Secondary management objectives In the forest deal with wildlife protection and enhancement. Recommended activities Include: pemanent wood yards, Beetling woad yards and trails, consbuRlon of duck bores, bird houses, and beaver control devices. The plan also recommends development of a cambiums forest inventory system of pemwnent sample pbbs within the forest m monitor and establish not annual growth, harvest levels, canditim of feed, and the number of den and most trees. Overall, the pan recommends: establishing an advisory committee of forest users, removal of safety harards and unsightly debrs, acquiring currently manhod Interior bas, developing a Ne pmtectlon plan, conducting fire ponds, and eliminating hunting and eventually mmorixad vehicles from the forest. Department Head Managers Comments: TIB Municipal Operations Committee has reaiewed the confused plan and recommards it to you for approval. City Manager Associated Information: Order, plan Budget Approval: re Chapter Legal Approval: lVity 4U Solicbnr Intimidated! nor X Passage _ First Reading Page_ of Referral to Finance AatigdbCowoilm polmm 9epte ex 27, 1999 A CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE.) Order, Adopdng Bangor City Forest Sbvxardshlp IncenRve Plan By Bre city cwamvW Bie ory of Bangor: ORDERED, THAT The attached Bangor City Forest Stewardship Incentive Nan dated luly 1999 is hereby adopted. IM CITY COUNCIL Septm6ei 27, 1999 Motion for Passage Mede and Seconded Passed 99-332 ORDER ❑de,Adoptlsg Baogoi City Forest Steward - sup Ineentive Plan AsOgnedto C9undlor 4koval 99-332 1�' BANGOR CITY FOREST STEWARDSHIP INCENTIVE PLAN JULY 1999 Prepazed By: Charles J. Simpson Mame Licermed Professional Forester #446 DBA: Woodchuck Forestry 735 College Road Old Town, Me. 04468 Tel: (207) 827-3034 99-332 r. - TABLE OF CONTENTS TOPIC PAGE Introduction 2 General Information 3 General Condition oftbe Forest 4 Recreation Management 6 Bstabfisbment ofa Demonstration Forest 11 Ice Damage Assessment 18 Secoxiary Management Objectives 20 Continuous Forestry Inventory System 22 Summary 23 Glossary ofForesuy Terms Bangor City Forest Pictures Maes 99 533 %" Introduction' This Stewardship Incentive Plan has ban prepared for the Bangor City Forest It represents an upgrade of previous plan Prepared for the City ofBangor by Promise and Carlisle Management Company, Inc. in 1994. Thai plan was entitled: City of Bangor Forest Management Plan- Penjajawoc Forest September 1994 581 Acres Since that plan the city hes acquired additional land in the area to bring the present acreage of the Bangor City Forest to 652 acres. That acreage floor was derived from an area calculation of a map provided by the city entitled: Bangor City Forest Recreation, Wildlife, Education And Forest Management Plan Dated February, 1999 by R.F. Perry A copy of this map is included with the plan, and was the basis for this Stewardship Plan. Other maps included with this plan were either provided by the City of Bangor's Engineering Office, or are from Prentiss and Carlisle's 1994 plan. In addition, a report compiled by J. Dirkmmh of the Maine Forest Service in October of 1987 also provided information used in this plan. That report was entitled: City of Bangor Preliminary Recommendations for the Use of City -Owned Parcels The aathor of this Stewardship Incentive Plan acknowledges the assistance Provided by the above mentioned reports and people in the preparation of this plan I also ware to ackrwwledge the assistance ofBangor City Forester Rolland Perry, for his time and effort in providing necessary information for this plm. Thanks to all for you help. 99-332 7'k t,.. GENERAL INFORMATION: Owner and Location The City ofBangor, 73 Harlow Street, Bangor, Maine 04401, owns this forest. It is located in tM noRMvert wryer of the city along the Bangor/Orono town line, and adjacent to the old Veazie Railroad bed. It begins at the north end of the Kittredge Road m the former city landfill site. The Fay Hyland Bog is to the east and north, the railroad bed is to the ra nh add west, and me Kittredge Road and Tripp Drive border on the somhwest and wudeast respectively. Rolland Perry, Bangor City Forester bas management responsibility for the forest Acreage Listing The Bangor City Forest consists of 652 acres. Of that, 25 acres are contained m the minor landfill,105 acres have been designated as wildlife handed areas, 208 acres are bugs, swamp or fowage%mid 314 acres are furesdand! in be managed odder flus Plan as a - deraman tion forest. Figure 1. Illustrates the acreage breakdown Figure 1. Acreage Breakdown Management Objectives The primary management objectives ane: Recreationaluse • DemonsostiodofForest Maingement 3 99-332 L� J Secondary n a agement objectives include: • Wildlife habitat protection • Soiladwaterproteetion • Timber production GENERAL CONDMON OF FOREST: Terrain Tbis forest is characterized by relatively flat, rolling tenain. The most significant terrain factor is the proximity of this forest to alarge bog. The Fay Hyland Bog is immediately adjacent to this forest, and is recognized as a National Historic Natural Area This bog is part of the larger Greer Caribou Bog, recently designmol as a National Natural Landmark. The forest also contains several smaller swamps, bogs and flowages within its bmmdaries. Soils The soils command on this forest are generally poorly in moderately well drained. Soil types present include Bangor, Biddeford, Buxton, Divneart, Howland, MonerdaBurvham, Scants and Thorndike. There are also sigrdficavt amounts of peat and Mack associated with the bogs and swamps. ceverally, suit types favor softwood management. A soil map with summary descriptions and Productivity ratings accompany this plan Access Vehicular access to this forest is currently via the nuedge Road from the southwest, and Tripp Drive from the southeast. The old Veazie Railroad Bed has been a tred@iond recreational weess from the north by snow sled and all -terrain vehicle. The roads are gated, and the access from the railroad grade has been blocked. Once on the forest, a well developed gravel road and recreational trail system provides excellent accessto most areas. 99-332 I Insects and Disease I- Hstsmnfn on this forest shows evidence of spruce budworm damage from the outbreak of the 1970's and 1980's. Much of it is fallen, standing dead or in very poor health. Spruce was also alleged, although not as severely White pine blister rust and white pine weevil are also evident to a minor degree. The weevil may become a mare destructive factor in this forest over tho extent few decades due to the large annuls of white pine regeneration that has been established and thin ed pre -commercially. Ice storm damage on this lot wms generally time to light. A summary table by forest stand accompanies this plan. Although ice damage was relatively light, it still has regatively impacted this forest Debris along the many recreational trails is both unsightly, and costes some overbead safety hazards. The danger from wildfue has also increased from the debris given the heavy recreational use of the forest. These detrimemal effects will be addressed farther later in this plan -„ Past History Historically, this forest comprisxi of several different lots being obtained by the city and conmlidmed. Much of the had appemsm have been agricultural 100-125 years no. Theremescaft ed newallsm appletreesthatsuggeetthispastum. Mostof the mea has had some type oftimber harvest, mainly removal of large pine trees. The stands on the forest today are indicators of such past harvests, and vary according In which ofthe individual lots they occurred on. Boundary Line Conditions The exterior boundary lines of this forest we in good shape. They have been binned and painted, m have many ofthe interior lot lines. Wien added to the markings for the various silvicannal treatment meas, the result is a well-defined forest. 99-332 V Legal Restrictions Affecting ManagenaenI Certainly the amount of bog, swamp and wetlands on or adjacent to this forest present the biggest challenges in management. Bogs, swamps and wetlands of 10 contiguous ares or more repave a 75' no cut buffer around them, plus a 4Wa maximum volume removal in aten year period from '/5'-250'tuck. Much ofthe northern side of the forest ad virtually the entire eastern side will come under this restriction. The bog tomatoes some the southem 1/3 of the forest The forest managemem activities called for in this plan should not conflict with those restraints, as Inge areas of the regulated zonas are set azide as wildlife corridors and/or behind. The recent dalara ion oftbe Great Caribou Bog and the Fay Hyland Bog designations as National Natural Landmarks may have fuller impacts on management activities on the Bangor City Forest, but they will likely be mhdmat, given the city's objectives in managing its forest RECREATION MANAGEMENT: Gwent Use The maongemem plan prepared by Prentiss and Carlisle refers to a meeting lu November of 1993 ofverions interest groups all users of the Bangor City Forest. At flet meeting, the group agreed thm providing recreational opportunities for the citizens of Bangor would take precedence over other activities and uses of the forest. Wildlife management was considered important all should be planned for, especially when it could add to a visitor's recreational experience. The approach toward recreational management on the Bangor City Forest will be shaped by how the public now rt. Ming, jogging, cross-country skiing and trail bike rising are major uses Horsing, snow sledding and ATV riding are other currem uses. Cunently, trails are rather rustic with many obstacles that provide challenges to were. Gravel road surfaces are smooth and hard, providing excellent opportunity for use by a wide range of users. Roads are mazkd with name signs at every intersection. and 99-332 distance markers every 500' from the roads' origins. Trailheads are marked with name signs, and appear on the large roup accompanying this plan. However, tails are not marked at various imersections with other tads, row are they marked along their length. Future Use ]fie recreatoml use on the Bangor City Forest will likely increase significantly over the next 10 years. General public knowledge of the forest and the opportunities it holds for recreation is relatively low. As rtore people realize the resource exists, use will increase. This is especiallytueifecomudcwnditiowcontinuetobe favorable. In additionto increased use, I anticipate tbatthe types anal variety ofuse will increase. Moumsin bddrog has grown tremendously over the last several years Other new anal diBemnt recreational aotivdies are likely to be developed I yaking, although et an applicable use on the forest, is an exannple of recreational activity that bas eaploded in popularity nwently. Horseback riding has always been popular, but local popularity of this activity seems to be increasing rapidly. Management Recommendations The city will hove to peke some decisions about how recreation is handled on the Bangor City Forest. Is recreation on the forest encouraged and were foully managed; or is the current passive approach the desirable one? Certainly increasing the use of the forest caul increase the educational berce5t than the demorutation forest can have on the public. On the other hand, increased saw could place additional demands on the city to improve hails and facdhies to accommodate the using public. Continuing the curtest approach can be handled with little additional demands on financial and human resources of the city. I recommend that trails be narked along their length and at points of intersection with other trails. Hezazds such as dead trees or hanging limbs should be removed. This could be done through the Community Forest lbecovery program Some minor improvemerds like corduroy or bridging placed over wet most; ofthe had would enhance use. Moth consideration is to label the tails Is to L level of difficulty at the road intersection points. 99-332 9 5 If the city wants to more fully develop the recreational use of the Bangor City Forest, there are asocial recommendations I would make: • Construct parking areas at entry points Have trail maps available at entry points • Widen hails, and improve them by grading and/or chips Construct rustic batches and place them along trails and roads • Thin and prune trees along both sides of aide Create openings for visors along trials • Develop a trail difficulty rating system for users • Purchase equipment for grooming ski India • Develop one or more picas areas on forest • Build a skating, fishing (also a Erecormol) pond • Hold seasonal open louses and mars of the city forest • Sponsor morning, bike, and ski owes on forest • Develop a nature interpretation mail similar o Audubon's"Secrets of the Forest" • Build awheekhatr accessible trail or trails These nwhowndations would cermady require financial and personnel comrmanow from the car, However, a more wtensive appreach to recreatloral use of the Bangor City Forest could become a major meet in the city's overall ootid and scoromic desimbility. Many ofthe improvements listed could receive grant finding from a number of sources. If this approach to recreation was taken, I envision the wed for regular staffing for the forest to take care Of things bike anderm ance, trash removed, safety issues, education, and inforwhan and policy enforcement. Areas of Concern There has been general consensus for several years that few wheel drive vehicles and ATV's may not be deshable on the forest. Gates can be effective for motor vehicles, but control of monsoonal vehicles is very difficult. However, se recreational use of the 8 99332 (0T forest grows, sodoesthe risk of an accident involving vehicles and/or people. Withthe conducting of forestry operations comes large tacks and equipment than also pose some risk. I strongly recommend then vehicular traffic be limited beyond the forest entry points to authorized vehicles only. ATV and stow sled use should le restricted to designated trails, times of day, minimum aged operators, and/or through organized riding clubs; or they may need to be excluded from the forest. Hauring on the Bangor City Forest is another historical use that needs to be looked atcarefWly. Many ofthe trails ran parallel to mads, and throughthe wildlife roues. As the forest becomes more heavily used (nodi I believe it will), allowing hunting wpb firearms onthe Bangor Cloy Forest will bewme an important issue. I recommend that the carrying aml discharge of firearms be prohibited on the Bangor City Forest. Allowing it to wurmue is asking for as accidW. Archery hunting mould still be allowed, but it too my have to he controlled. Many public lands m southern states allow hunting only from designated hoe stands at specific sues. This system could be utilized on this forest, with a sped number of acceptable burning smnd sues being identified, and a lottery system employed to allow humors to archery hour don those stands. General recreational use in these areas could be temporarily remitted for additional safety. Whether or rot the city cbowes to intpaify the recreazional management of as forest, competing and non -compatible recreational uses are going to develop in the furnace shooting at game with fnearms and people walking or riding on hails is Ilse most obvious camon one. However, the city will be faced with other uses of the forest that are appropriate, taken individually, but when combined with other uses, less desirable. An example might w pwpic walking then dogs and horseback riding. Gr mountain bikes and horses, crosscouatry skiing and snowsleds,etc. The city should plan for these conflicts and how on deal with them proactively. I recommend that a conmittce of forest users be formed similar to the one that met in November of 1993. That Foup should meet on a regular basis, perhaps four times normally, to discuss recreational use ofthe Bangor City Forest. h would be advisory ordy 99-332 l an the Bangor City Forester. This would provide a mmm in which uses oftlre forest could be discussed, and proactive measures to handle Polemist problems might be formulated One ofthe best ways to encourage forest users to take nesponsihility fir their use could be to give them a voice in the planning for that use. Maintenance and Development Plan When the city decides the level of intensity it wants m apply to the recreational use of the Bangor City Forest, it can plan for maintaining and improving the desired uses. Mhmansing owncer-user and user -user conflims can be addressed with some of the recommendations listed previously. The city has already utilized a variety of groupsto develop the facilities and use of the forest These include the College Conservation Corps, the Charleston Correctional Facility Work Release Program, Public Works employees during otherwise slow times the Maine Forest Service, University of Maine and v non, comps eas and individuals. This use of available resources should continue and expand on other groups and programs Some of these that could be utilized if the city warned to mensify it recreational management are: Local snowmobile clubs • Boy scouts or simibar Organizations • Community Development Chards • Stewardship or Community Forest Recovery Program Cost-sharing • YMCANWCA9 • Area Chamber of Commerce • Area businesses (adopt a traiVroad/sign program) The costs for improving the recreational potential or facilities on the Bangor City Forest might not he as expensive as one would thiak. It is very important however, to plan for the mannamance and repairs of my improvements along with then establishment. Often the long-range costs are barred, ant poorly maintained facilities are probably worse that no facilities. to 99-333 1 `1 ESTABLISHMENT OF A DEMONSTRATION FOREST: Ctnxent Situation The Bangor City Forest has been the site of on going forest management activities for the Inst several years. Tbat activity has developed into a formalized plan for a Demonstration Forest that showcased a variety of forest management approaches, along. with consideration for9 needs ofwlldlife witian the forest ecosystem. Tlustras developed from the efforts of City Forever Rolland Perry; who has molded the recommendations from Sack Diumuu in 1987, Prentiss and Carlisle's management plan of 1994, and personal contacts with a variety ofpubhc and private industry foresters into the plan described on the fold -Our asupaccompavying [Itis plan. The objective of anis demonstration forest is to educate the general public about various silvlcalbral approaches to forest management. This derwnsiratiov forest is, to my knowledge, unique in the State of Maine, a represents joraaoagrlishmem for Perry and the City ofBangor. The demommaom forest involves 314 acres of forestland managed in a variety of ways along with t05 acres of wildlife zones and 208 acres of associated wet areas wcludiag swamps, bogs and tlowages. Activities on this Ind are documented by explanatory signs, and can be viewed from the excellent mad and trail system throughout the forest. Timber Inventory pnor iss mrd Carlisle Company performed a timber inventory of this forest in association with the 1994 Management Plan. That mvemory estimated a volume of 5,718 cords of pulpwood and 798 MBF of sawlogs on 418 forested acres. Since that inventory, the city acquired the Shamsen Lot ofappoximately 65 acres. No inventory was done for this Stewardship Plan. 99-332 e1 Harvesting has occurred on the forest since the inventory, as the demonstrmion forest has beendeveloped. In 1998, Seven Islands Lnnd Company harvested about 265 cords and 97 MBF ofsewkigs Harvesting on this forest will occur only in ro jurcAion with the establishment and maintenance of the demonstration forest. Forest Stand Map A Forest Stand Map is included in this plan. It identifies 12 individual stands totaling 314 actes. Stand sizes range from a one acre commercial clear-cut (Stand k3) to a 72 acre strip sheltemood (Stand A). Included in the stands is the Eve -acre mboretam she (Stand 410). Individual stands for this plan were identified by their intended management system, and not by forest characteristic similarities normally used in management planning. This isduetothe unique forestry objectives oftlis Stewardship Plan of creating a demonstration forest with specific silvicultural approaches. Stand Descriptions Stand # 1 Hardwood S le ['on System 11 Acres This stand commis pole sized to log sized stems of white birch, red maple, beech, white pine, space, fir and eager maple. The mend has a large amount of fir regeneration throughout. Volume is approximately 15 cords per acts, with hardwood pulpwood the predomman t product. General stand vigor is fah to good for hardwoods, but poor to fair far fir sed space. There not good quality white pine sawtbaber stand trees scattered througlautthemared. Stand 42 %he Fine Sh 1 odS stem 37 Acres This stand is the highest quality am on the forest from a timber management perspective. It consists of good quality and vigor white pine wths of pulpwood to sawing size, with scattered red oaks. Mostoftlus and was dunned during the lam year. The harvested area contains an estimated 20 cards per acre. 12 INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLETING THE NOTICE OF ELECTION You bave been provided with two (2) copies of the Notice of Election for the November 2, 1999 Referendum Election. The steps for completing the Notice are as follows: 1. The blank spaces on the notice should be completed with the appropriate information for your municipality, by insetting the municipality, more, the voting district (if my), the name and location of the voting place, and the opening fire for thepolls in your municipality. NOTE: If the municipality consists of more than one voting district, the general information pertawng to the municipality, the times the polls will open, and the times when alsswtce ballots will be processed, should be completed fust. You may then photocopy the Notice ro avoid retyping the same information onto several forms. Each of the photocopied documents must then be completed with the remaining information pdtining to voting distfic, voting place name and location. 2. Uemberendum quesfions far this election are already provided on the Notice. 3. The Clerk must sign and attest a Notice of Election for each voting district. M attested copy of the notice must be posted in a conspicuous public place in each voting district in the municipality by Tuesday, October 26, M9, which is-'/ days before the election. The Clerk may post the notice or have it posted by a designee. 4. The Clerk must record a copy of the Norm of Election for each voting district in the municipality's roods, and must record the times and places where the Notices were posted. If you have any questions about the Notice of Election, please contact the Elections Section at 2874186. 99-332 Yl Stead # 3Commercial Clear cut- 1 Acre This sand was harvested of all merchantable timber last year. It contains scattered small stents of low quality and vigor. Volume par acre is negligible. Staid # 4- Strip Shchinveo d Svsum, n Ac This mixed stood is the largest on tiro fres[. Species include while pine, spruce, cedar, balsam fir, red maple, white birch and red oak It las been laid out f a series of 100' wide strips to be harvested every fur years over a 12 -year period. The fust strips were barvested Inst Year. Timber quality is good to excellent, with spruce and white pine the most desirable stems. Residual volume is estimated to average 10 cords per acre. Stand # 5- Sedi Tree System-2Acre s This stand was harvested in 1997 to set up a white pine seed trce regeneration White pine seedlings were subsequently underidstawd. Residual stand qualitY is good, with approxhtately 4 cords per acre remaining. Stand # 6- Uniform Shelterwood System- 52 Acres This stand contains scanted white pine, red oak and red maple trees firm pulpwood m sawlog shre. Much of this stand was heavily harvested under previous owners yeas ago. The resulting stand has a large amount of mixed regeneration from five to 25 fat tall. Much of it is desirable white pine. This regeneration has been pre - commercially [binned to release pine, spruce and th. Stand # 7' S rip Selection System 36 Acres The northern portion of this stand has been harvested in the past, and resembles Stand # 6 a great deal. Pre -commercial tbwning has released desirable regeneration here. The southern portion of the good is laid out in strips, hat yet to be harvested. These 100' wide strips are in a series of sin to be harvested afour-year inderstaL Praw(Y species include spruce, white pine, fir, red unpin and red oak. Estimated volume is l2 cords par acre. 13 ��- Stand Descriptions (continued) Stanxi 4 8- (moup Selection System, Aci This stand is primarily softwood with spruce, white per, fir and red maple communing. Alarge percentage of the fir has died and fallen over from spruce budworm. Etimated volume is eight cards per acre. The spruce is good quality, with white pine being fay. A good-sized swamp borders the stand, and soil is poorly dmived. kms. Stead#9'Individual T Selectiop S Acres Spruce, white pine, fir, red maple and red oak occupy Iles stand. It is virtually encircled by bog on all sides. Quality is fair to good, with estimmed volume at 12 cads per acre. The stand is also bisectol by a road, making access extremely good. - Sound #10-Arlwret -5 Acres The arboretum site is adjacent to the forma landfill. It is divided into sections, W planted to Aims and spmxa. Stand #IIS IWildlifeHb' Acm This stand has been divided into fon series of 100' wide strips to be harvestad a ten-year intervals. It is formerly open tent mw occupied by gay birch alders, aspen, spruce, fir and red maple. Its poskion along the Main Road makes it the first starch entered fi on the Khtredge Road. Stand # 12-SpinSelection S t 35 Acres This s" contains red maple, fir, order, red oak and aspen. Tree quality is fain, but vigor is good. It is the first stand entered from Tripp Drive. Wildlife Z 3muy Mection SvAeM, 105 Acres The wildlife zones on this forest serve as travel corridors, wetland buffers, ant den wintering areas in this plan They are primarily mixed wood stands along wet areas. primary species are spruce, cedar, alder, red maple and fr. 14 6< 1 99-332 Recommendations and prescriptions fhe management of the 12 identified forest stands will follow a comparatively formal schedule as described on the large, foldout map with this plan. Asummary of this schedule by stand follows, along with general recommendations for management of the wildlife zones. Stand # 1. This stand will be managed under a hardwood selection system. Both individual Ore selection and small group selection may be used I recommend harvests at ten-year intervals then concentrate on removal of the poorest stems first, regardless of species. Desirable species to manage for include white birch, white pine and sugar maple. Rnd Oak should also be favored due to its wildlife benefits. With the advanced fir regemation, this stall will develop into softwood if an effort isn't made to comrol it. Before the fast harvest, a detailed inventory ofthls stand should be conducted to compare whhdeshedchmcmri it ofanuneven-agedhardwoodstand. Convertingthisstand from its present even -aged status to uneven aged will net be easy or quick, given the species and regeneration present. Stagy# 2 This unifort p.^" shelterwood has almost completely been established. Afew acres m the northwest comer of the stand remain to be harvested. Trees were marked to save,andthe remaining trees harvested. RMoaktreesand den trees were left witbiathe stand for wildfife benefit. A one -acre uncut portion was retained to slow how the stand looked before treatment Residual crop trees will be pruned. Start # 3, This commercial clear cm has been recently harvested. It serves as a demonstration ofan all too common approach to forestland in Maine. It bas valuable demonstrative value in its location between two exarnples of appropriate forestry practices in Stands # 2 and # 4. IM V0 0 Stand # 4: This snip sheherwood is divided into four series of 100' wide strips to be can on a four-year interval. The objective is to create a 70 -year rotation age. All tress in the strips are harvested except for white pin, den and meet trees. Follow-up silviculture opmandan mauve cull trees, and desirable regeneration is thinned and pruned. Some aodm planting will be done to ambance natural regeneration. S #5: This two -acre seed has system has been completed and under plamed with white pine. Control of competing hardwood regeneration should be carried our when needed - Stand eeded St # 6: This is a uniform shekerwood system like Stared # 2. It also includes a oneaae nnut area for demoustrazive purposes. Much of this stall contains advarred regenmtron from previous cutting histotY, and has leen pre-wmmereiallY thinned and pruned for hoth forest management and aesthetic puryoses. A rotation of 120 years is the objective in this stand and Stand # 2. Stand # 7: This stand will be managed abler a strip selection system in which six series of too' wide snips we barvested every 12 years. All merchantable trees except white pine, den and mast trees are harvested, with the objective of creating a stand with six age classes over the 72 -year target rotation pmiod Stand # 8: A group selection system will be applied to this stand in the form of Y. etre patch crosarrangedtluoughomthes[and urn guLvshapes. Harvestswilloccurevery12 years, and will not exceed the periodic growth as determvred by C n inuous Forest Inventory Plots. Spruce will be the target species ofmmagennart 16 Stand# M in habsin l vee selection system will be applied to this stood, with spruce again the primary species ofchoice. harvests will occur every 10 years, with the management objective of growing high quality sawtimber trees. Den and most trees will again be encouraged. Stud # 10 The arboretum is the site of pine and spruce plantings for demonstrative purposes. A variety of each species has been planted, including white, black, norway, red and blue spruce. Pines include white, red, jack, pitch and scotch Tarmacklmsalsobeenplanted. Stata:14 11 This special wildlife habitat management area will favor grouse, woodcock and beaver. A series of four grirs100'wide will be harvested on a 10-yem interval. Desirable wildlife plants will be encouraged and also planted. No timber stand improvement will be conducted on the readud stand. The objective istoestablish aF0- year rotating within this stand. Stood 4 12, This is anther strip selection system similar to Stand # 7. It will be managed under the some guidelines. Wildlife Zones: These areas will be harvested under individual tree or Mop selection criteria as reacted to insure healthy forest stands with a variety of age, size and height diversity. Activities and operations in these seas will be restricted to times when their use by wildlife is mirdmal (don't work in deer wintering area during the whiter). All den trees will be left, and no 0mber stand improvement operations will be conducted. Removal of dead trees or sgogs will only occur along unix for safety reasons. Management activities within these wildlife acnes will he scheduled according to their need as determined by l rdinuous Forest Inventory Plots designed to evaluated wildlife criteria. ICE DAMAGE ASSESSMENT: Ice damage from the 1998 storm was light on the Bangor City Forest. Most ofthe stands have significant portions of softwood, which generally fared better than hardwoods. Lots of branches were stripped from he", but the area didn't see the vast areas of forests with complete treetops snapped off that many names saw. Although damage was classified as trace to fight for this Stewardship Pliny there was ice damage that impacts the Bangor City Forest and needs mitigation. H is also important to note that this Ice Damage Assessment was done over a year after the storm During that time, the city has already cleaved up most of debris, particularly along roads and trails. Because of the emphasis on recreation, it's important that forested areas along roads and trails have dead and damaged trees removed as safety hazards. In many cases, limbs broken from the I9981ce Storm still remail lodged in trees where they could fall and injure a passerby. Several individual tree that sustained henry damage have since died, and pose a safety concern as well. All mads suit trails need to be traveled, and hazard trees identified for corrective action. In addition, the aesthetic impact of ice storm debris lying near the trails should be evaluated. Tlus same debris is cause for concern as increase fiel for forest fires Again, with the shound ofuntfic in the area, the potential for a discarded cigarette or match to ignite a fie is significant I recommend that the roads and hails be cleared of fallen debris for a distance of 15' either side of the traveled path Cort sharing for this activity could be applied for miler the Fite Hazard Mitigation Program, or the Community Forest Recovery Program through the Maine Forest Service. I also recommend that the city investigate the possibility of build g one or more the ponds on the properly to serve as a water source for the man. A tough tennis fire truck may be so order as well. The larger area amwd the Bangor City Forest is at increased risk of fire due to the heavy recreational use combined with increase fuel bad from the ice storm and the mmsually dry summer we've had. The fact we've actually had several drier than normal summers the Inn law years may indicate this will be a long - 18 99 332 term concern Atthe lend, a fire protection plan should be developed in cooperation with the Bangor Fire Department and the Maine Forest Service in Old Town. That plan should include a map of the forest for all parties, and keys for the access gates. The Maine Warden Service should also have a key for access to the forest. A table of Ice Tannage Asassmem by Stand on the Bangor City Forest follows: Stand 9 Ice Damage Class Remedial Work Necessary 1 Light Salvage damage during harvest; clear debris along East Trail 2 Trace Clear debris along Rabbit and Wes[ Trail 3 None Noce 4 Trace Clear debris along West Trail 5 Trace Now 6 Traco-Light Clear debris along Bobcat, Fox and Dar Trails 7 Trace -Light Clear debris along Lynx, Skonk and Gopher Torahs 8 Trace -Light Clem debris along Deer Trail 9 TraccLight Clear debris along East and Bog Trails 10 Nom None 11 Trace -Light None 12 Trace -Light Clear debris along Bog Trail I raommend this work be done with the College Conservation Corps, and cost - share be applied for under the Community Force Recovery Frogman and/or the Fire Baard Mitigation Program through the Maine Forest Service. 19 99-332 ' SECONDARY MANAGEMENT OBJECTIVES: Wildlife Habitat Protection Wildlife habitat protection and enhancement is an important secondary objective of the Barrett City Forest, primarily as it relates to improving the recreational experience of forest users. By maintaining diversity of types of forest stands in a healthy condition and stages of development, this objective should be achieved. Considering the needs of wildlife for den snit mast trees should ensure the compatibility of the !ravaged stands on this fires[ with a variety ofwildlife species. Addi[brWly, the main[etance ofvavel corridors, undisturbed wetlands, and whtering areas or tha unmanaged areas of the forest should insure suitable habitat halo the future. In addition, the following activities are rewmmended to enhance the wildlife potential for this forest: • Construction ofpermmeN wood yards throughout the forest • Seeding the wood yards and skid vats with conservation mix after use • Construction of duck hones in the flowage some • Construction and insmllation of birdhouses ha opening (particularly around the arborenmm and former landfill site) • hustallation of beaver control devices at newly created flowages to control water levels while allowing flowage development These and other activities can increase wildlife use and viewing opportunities for the forest users. Soil and Water Protection As previously mentioned in this Stewardship Plan, one of the most unique and valuable resources associated with the Bangor City Forest is the wellands, including swamps, bogs avd flowaga. The protection of these resources, along with the fragile wflsdatoftenaccompanythern,isofmmostimpo�tothis Plan. ThebBOwing actions are designed to protect these resources, and will be utilized on the Bangor City Forest: 20 99-332 • Best Maragemerat practices (BMWs) will be followed during road construction and harvesting activities • Whenever possible, harvesting activities will be limited to times when the ground is solidly frown • Buffer moss around fragile wils/water will be laid out before harvesting or construction activities begin • Equipment will not be allowed to operate within sensitive buffer areas without special permission of the City Forester • Activities on the forest may be hafted during times when conditions presevt brogue potential for soil erosion or water sedimentation Timber Production Timber production on the Bangor City forest will be carried out only as it relates to the creation and maimemance of the demonstration forest. It will be an objecrive of this plan to manage timber for the highest quality and value forest products consistent with other primary and secondary objectives. It is recognlzed that [he production and sale of forest products is an important source of revenue that can and should be need to belp fund management cost of the form and/or be used to purchase additional adjacent forestland when desirable. Land Acquisition The Bangor City Forest is an extremely valuable asset to the city. Its value is expected to hawase, as land open far public recreation becomes less available. To protectthe resource, the acquisition of adjoining property to the forest is desirable. Two properties them sbould be obtained by the city if possible are the Laos Lot bordering the Orono Town fine, and the Schmidt Lot bordering the Veazie railroad bed. The addition of these two parcels would solidify the Bangor City Forest, and protect it boom possible undesirable development. 21 99-333 CONTINUOUS FOREST INVENTORY SYSTEM: Commutes Forest Inventory Systems (CFI) are a system ofpermaoem sample plots located throughout a forest. ]hese plots are measured periodically, often at five or ten year intervals. I)etailed measurements record increases or decreases in growth, quality ofrescau es, regeneration, and various other pieces of information used to rreke management decisions. lsha agement operations are conducted as normal on the plots. The reach over time is a record of the growth and condition of the forest. From this information, decisions can be made as to what operations are desirable mho where. The Bangor City Forest should have a CFI system developed on it as soon as possible. It takes a series of measurement period before a CFI system begins to provide helpful management information. I recommend that the CFI system fir the Bangor City Forest contain a minimum of 35 plots. Tbese plots should be located proportionately somngthe different savicaltmel systems types and within the wildlife zones. Seven of the plots could be unseasoned each year. That would out the whole system on a five-year mention, and begin to provide some useful information sooner. bfonmadon collected @oro CFI plots enables do resource manager to determine ret amoral growth. This is necessary to determine a sustainable harvest level for the forest. Other information such as the amount and condition of feed or suitable cover in the wildlife zones is also helpful for decisions. The number of den and mast trees can also be reacted through this system to insure adequate habitat conditions. CFI plots are also valuable educational [oohs. I recommend that one CFI plot be located where the public can view it. A sign explaining de purpose of the plot would help people understand the function of the CFI system, and how overall management decisions are made on the forest A CTI system could be established by city personnel, or contracted to a professional forester. All CFI plot locations should be described and mapped. 22 ll� The Bangor City Forest provides wonderful opportunities for the citizens of Bangor and the surrounding area to recreate and observe the implementation of forestry systems. The work done to date to develop the recreational potential of the forest, and the demnnstrazion forest management areas is m be applauded. The city now has to detemdne what direction to take in the future management of the forest. The first priority should be the removal of safety hazards sod unsightly debris from the 1998 Ice Storm The intensity to which the recreational facilities are developed isthenex[decision. Thederaonstrazionforenhasbeenw UH ablished. Oocealloftbe initial treatments surf the CFI system have been done, maintenance of the demonstration forest will be lass intensive. The city should make every effort to acquire the ]arc ard Schmidt lots to consolidate its holdings in the area A fire protection plan should be developed, possibly W cooperative with neighboring Orono. Fine Ford construction on the forest should be one of the considerations of that plan The walurcation of hunting with finances and operation ofnntorized recreational vehicles on the Wren should be evaluated as to their compntbility, with other objectives. It is hoped that this Stewardship Plan will assist the City ofHangor in its decisions regarding the Bangor City Forest. 23 This plan reflects my objectives as the landowner. I accept and approve the recommendations made by the resource professional. I pledge that any managment practices implemented on my land will be consistent with these recommendations, and it is my intention to follow them wherever possible.