Specific management requirements for the LMZs on classified lakes

This section outlines the silviculture systems, visual quality objectives, percentage harvest removal guidelines and road construction practices for each of the five lake classes. These specific requirements along with the requirements for all classified lakes are the key tools to be used to achieve the lakeshore management goal.

For all classified lakes:

• The recommended silvicultural system for classified lakes is related to the natural disturbance types (NDT) as outlined in the Biodiversity Guidebook.[4] The following are the silvicultural systems recommended in each LMZ depending on the NDT:
  • NDT 1 & 2: Single tree or group selection is encouraged when silviculturally appropriate and technically feasible; otherwise clearcut with reserves and/or extend edge of riparian reserve zone.
  • NDT 3 & 4: Leading species;
  • Fd or Py stands - Single tree or group selection with wildlife tree reserves.
  • Pl or Sx stands - Clearcut with reserves and/or extend boundary of riparian reserve zone.
  • The management practices within the LMZ should preserve the integrity of the riparian reserve zone. In stands of moderate to high windthrow hazard, special management is required to reduce windthrow potential. A handbook (Windthrow Handbook for BC, Research Program Working Paper 9401) provides assessment and mitigation methods for windthrow.
• Where there are areas of visual sensitivity, and a VQO must be achieved, the Visual Landscape Management Guidebook provides operational direction in terms of volume and stem removal for particular sites (partial cutting) and cutblock design (clearcut and/or clearcut with reserves).
• Consideration should be given to the overall environmental impact of a proposed haul road location when deciding whether feasible alternatives within or outside of the LMZ are acceptable.

"A" class lakes

a) Objective:
• To protect all key lake attributes.
• Where there are visual concerns then any management activity should meet the Preservation VQO.

b) Silvicultural systems and management practices:

• No harvesting is permitted within the lakeshore management zone. The district manager, in consultation with other resource agencies and user groups, may exempt this requirement for the management of windthrow, pests, disease, and fire, or as specified in approved lake management objectives.

c) Roads, landings and skid trails

• No new roads, borrow pits or landings should be located in the lakeshore management zone unless in consultation with government agencies and user groups.

"B" class lakes

a) Management objectives:
• To maintain all key lake attributes (including ecosystem linkages and important stand and landscape attributes).
• Where there are visual concerns then any management activity should meet the Retention VQO.

b) Silvicultural systems and management practices:

General: Clearcutting is not permitted within the LMZ unless partial cutting is not feasible upon consideration of the soils and/or stand ecology.

• Partial cutting
• A minimum of 50 per cent of the original basal area of the stand should be retained.
• A maximum of 25 per cent of the LMZ may be cut during each pass. A higher percentage may be acceptable if significantly more than 50 per cent of the undisturbed crown closure is retained.
• Basal area or volume percentages and age classes to be harvested should be reflected in the silviculture prescription. Preparatory thinning cuts may be required in moderate to high windfall risk situations. The return time for a subsequent harvest should be reflected in the silviculture prescription and must meet stated objectives.
• Clearcut and/or clearcut with reserves
• If partial cutting systems are unacceptable, then a maximum five (5) hectare clearcut block is permitted. Reasons selection harvesting cannot be accomplished must be stated in the proponents forest development plan and silviculture prescription.
• Ninety per cent of the LMZ should be retained in a non-equivalent clearcut state (i.e., maximum 10 per cent equivalent clearcut area).

c) Roads, landings, and skid roads

• Haul roads are to be located outside the Lakeshore Management Zone (LMZ), where possible. Spur roads and landings are to be located a minimum of 200 m from the Riparian Reserve Zone (RRZ).
• Tail spar trails are not permitted unless a rehabilitation plan has been approved.
• Skid roads with greater than 25 cm cuts are not permitted within the LMZ in areas with potential visual and physical problems unless a rehabilitation plan is approved.
• Spur roads and skid roads may have to be reclaimed or rehabilitated if access constraints are required.

"C" class lakes

a) Management objectives:
• To provide for a level of management that does not compromise the integrity of any key lake attributes, including ecosystem linkages.
• Where there are visual concerns then any management activity should meet the Partial Retention VQO.

b) Silviculture systems and management practices:

• General
• Collectively, partial cutting and clearcutting should not exceed 50 per cent of the lakeshore management zone during each pass.
• Partial cutting systems
• A minimum of 50 per cent of the original basal area of the stand should remain.
• Basal area or volume percentages and age classes to be harvested will be determined in the SP. Preparatory thinning cuts may be required in moderate to high windfall risk situations. The return time for a subsequent harvest will be determined in the SP and must meet stated objectives.
• Clearcut and/or clearcut with reserves
• Clearcut openings
• Up to 25 per cent of the timbered LMZ may be clearcut during each pass.
• Seventy-five per cent of the LMZ should be retained in a non- equivalent clearcut state (i.e., maximum 25 per cent equivalent clearcut area).
• The maximum lateral distance of an individual opening along the LMZ/RRZ or LMZ/lakeshore (in the case of lakes >1000 ha) interface is 400 m.

c) Roads, landings, and skid roads

• Skid roads are not permitted within 20 m of the Riparian Reserve Zone (RRZ).
• Haul roads are to be located outside the LMZ where possible. Spur roads and landings are to be located a minimum of 100 m from the RRZ. These distances may be reduced depending upon topography, etc.
• Tail spar trails are not permitted unless a rehabilitation plan has been approved.
• Skid roads with greater than 25-cm cuts are not permitted within the LMZ in areas with potential visual and physical problems unless a rehabilitation plan is approved.
• Spur roads and skid roads may have to be reclaimed or rehabilitated if access constraints are required.
• Amount of overall disturbance
• Roads and other site disturbances may be visible but should not dominate.

"D" class lakes

a) Management objective:
• To maintain landscape biodiversity by managing the natural ecosystem connectivity characteristics typical of the surrounding natural disturbance type.
• Where there are visual concerns then any management activity should meet the Modification VQO.

b) Silvicultural systems and management practices:

• Partial and clearcut systems should not collectively exceed 70 per cent of the LMZ. This guideline may be waived for lakes less than 10 hectares.
• Partial cutting systems
• A minimum of 50 per cent of the original basal area of the stand should remain.
• Clearcut and/or clearcut with reserves
• Clearcut openings
• Up to 30 per cent of the timbered LMZ may be clearcut during each pass.
• Seventy per cent of the LMZ should be retained in a non-equivalent clearcut state (i.e., maximum 30 per cent equivalent clearcut area).
• The maximum lateral distance of an individual opening along the LMZ/RRZ or LMZ/lakeshore (in the case of lakes >1000 ha) interface is 500 m.

c) Roads, landings, and skid roads

• Skid roads are not permitted within 20 m of the Riparian Reserve Zone (RRZ).
• Haul roads are to be located a minimum of 75 m from the RRZ where possible. Spur roads and landings are to be located a minimum of 40 m from the RRZ. These distances may be reduced if topography or other factors necessitate.
• Tail spar trails are permitted.
• Amount of overall disturbance
• Roads and other site disturbances may be visible and may initially dominate.
• Where there is denudation from logging within a LMZ or landscape unit, the total area of visible disturbance should be less than 10 per cent of the area denuded.

"E" class lakes

a) Objective:
• To manage landscape biodiversity by maintaining ecosystem linkages to adjacent landscape features where they exist.
• Where there are visual concerns then any management activity should meet the Maximum Modification VQO.

b) Silvicultural systems and management practices:

• Partial cutting systems
• A minimum of 50 per cent of the original basal area of the stand should remain. The intent is a light cut with minimal visual impact.
• Clearcut and/or clearcut with reserves
• Up to 50 per cent of the timbered LMZ may be clearcut during each pass. Lakes less than 10 hectares may be exempt.
• Fifty per cent of the LMZ should be retained in a non-equivalent clearcut state (maximum 50 per cent equivalent clearcut area).
• The maximum lateral distance of an individual opening along the LMZ/RRZ or LMZ/lakeshore (in the case of lakes >1000 ha) interface is 500 m.

c) Roads, landings, and skid roads

• Amount of overall disturbance
• Roads and other site disturbances may dominate.
• Where there is denudation from logging within a LMZ or landscape unit, the total area of visible disturbance should be less than 20 per cent of the area denuded.
• Haul roads are to be located a minimum of 75 m from the RRZ where possible. Spur roads and landings are to be located a minimum of 40 m from the RRZ. These distances may be reduced if topography or other factors necessitate.