Fiber Fiber Fiber Timber Harvest - Victory Basin WMA / Victory State Forest

Timber harvest operations were applied within the "Climate Change Response Framework". See below.
1 – Sustain fundamental ecological functions: Previously established haul roads and skid trails were utilized. Slashed tops and brush were dispersed throughout the harvest area to enhance nutrient cycling and soil protection (1.1). Landings and roads shall be closed out in accordance with all “AMPs For Managing Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont” (1.2). A large vernal pool was identified during the ecological review process. A 100’ buffer was flagged horizontally and inland from the pool edge with orange flagging. No timber harvesting was permitted within this zone. In addition, a secondary buffer of 550’ was designated to maintain habitat quality of the riparian management zone. Within this buffer, timber harvesting was limited to retain 60% canopy cover (1.3).

Strategy 2 – Reduce the impact of biological stressors: All logging equipment was washed and inspected by the Forester-in-Charge. Road gravel was sourced from a pit on state land and was inspected for presence of invasive plant species (2.2).
Strategy 3 – Reduce the risk and long-term impacts of severe disturbance: Retention of stems in all size classes was applied across the treatment area (3.1)
Strategy 4 – Maintain or Create Refugia: A 100’ no cut buffer was applied to a 0.12 acre S3 vernal pool and shall remain in perpetuity (4.1).
Strategy 5 – Maintain and enhance structural diversity: Trees of all sizes were retained as “growing stock” or “overwood” (5.1). Large biological legacy trees were retained and designated as permanent retention. Permanent retention trees were marked with an “L” in orange paint on all sides (5.3).
Strategy 6 – Increase ecosystem redundancy across the landscape: A large treatment area was identified over multiple stands with the intention of releasing and regenerating large populations of red maple (Acer rubrum) and yellow birch (Betula alleghaniensis) (6.1).
Strategy 7 – Promote landscape connectivity: Victory Basin WMA is part of the larger Victory Management Unit.
Strategy 8 – Maintain and enhance genetic diversity: Retention trees were selected using the following criteria: wildlife trees that have nest cavities or some other wildlife use, large cull trees, particularly those that are hollow, rare species within the stand, and/or superior trees that have unusually high growth rates or good form will be reserved to improve genetic quality in the stand (8.2).
Strategy 9 – Facilitate community adjustments through species transitions: Red maple (Acer rubrum) and yellow birch (Betula Alleghaniensis) were favored for regeneration and retention (9.1, 9.4, 9.6 ).
Strategy 10 – Realign ecosystems after disturbance: In areas with deficient regeneration, summer and fall harvesting was encouraged to scarify and increase chances of success for natural regeneration (10.2).