March 6, 2006

 

Designation by Prescription

With Weight Scale

 

I.               Designation by Prescription gives the most flexibility to the logging contractor on the ground in order to adjust a treatment as the results are seen during the progress of the project.  The Contract Administrator and the collaborative Òproject committeeÓ must be engaged in changes.  This will improve the Òend resultsÓ of a stewardship project.

1.     The issue of accountability has often troubled the Regional Office. Nevertheless, the stumps remain on the ground for verification by the Contract Administrator.

2.     A weight scale system included in DXP provides a verifiable accounting.

3.     The industry has modernized to the point where their own accounting systems would be compromised if log loads were not reported.

4.     There are electronic devices used to ensure delivery of every load.

5.     An automated system can provide the needed accounting without the need for a full time Forest Service employee.

6.     Mixed species stands can be dealt with by establishing a ratio (percentage) of each species from a cruise and then applying that ratio to each load for billing purposes.

 

II.             Designation by Description provides a description mechanism that will result in the same trees being marked and cut by any professional forester applying the mechanism.

1.     However, the contractor is not allowed to vary from the prescription whatsoever. 

2.     The description is contained in the contract and it is a clumsy and time-consuming process to modify the contract if the description on-the-ground indicates that the results will not be the best results.

3.     Painting trees is an added cost.

 

 

            The professional foresters that work with the Northeast Washington Forestry Coalition believe that the use of Designation by Prescription with a weight scale would provide the means to accomplish the best possible project in the field.  The Regional Office has authorized DXP with weight scale in single species stands, such as are common on the west side of the region, but has not authorized this in a mixed species stand, typical of the dry side forests.  Region I allows weight scale in all instances.