Figure 1A. Photo shows locations of decks, haul roads, and skid trails along with stream crossings. Compare this with the topographic map in Figure 1B.
| Legend |  | Skid Trails |  | Existing Road |  | Main Haul Road |  | Log Landings |
| Images courtesy of Ohio GAP Analysis Project, The Ohio State University Center for Mapping. |
Figure 1B. Topographic map with details of road system and landings marked.
Pre-harvest planning is critical to the success of the operation. An Operation and Management (O&M) plan is a useful tool in planning. A well-planned harvesting operation will allow efficient removal of forest products, and at the same time protect water quality and help save money.
Before cutting, meet with the landowner or forest manager and decide on the location of landings, haul roads, skid trails, and which best management practices need to be implemented and included in the O&M plan. It is recommended that once completed, the O&M plan be submitted to the local SWCD for review and approval. This should take place prior to the start of the harvest.
The pre-harvest plan should include a map(s) identifying (see Figures 1A and 1B):
Also, consider and perhaps make notes on the following items:
Plan stream crossings. Stream crossings are critical areas that require intensive planning. Most of the soil loss that occurs on logging jobs is a result of poorly planned stream crossings. (See information on stream crossings in Section VI.)
Consider distribution and volume of timber to be removed. The more timber that is hauled from an area, the better the road that is needed. Loads at landings are computed from the estimate of timber that will be skidded to each landing. Where timber is uniformly distributed, this can be determined from the area served by each landing.
Expressing the proposed use of a logging road in terms of number of loads that will be hauled over it can serve as a guide to the design and standards to which the various sections and spurs need to be constructed.
For more information concerning pre-harvest planning, contact:
Division of Forestry
District 1 Office
1855 Fountain Square Ct., H-1
Columbus, OH 43224
614-265-6694 or
1-877-247-8733
District 2 Office
952 Lima Ave., Box B
Findlay, OH 45840
419-424-5004
District 3 Office
2205 Reiser Ave SE,
New Philadelphia, OH 44663
330-339-2205
District 4 Office
360 E State St.
Athens, OH 45701
740-589-9901
Web site: www.ohiodnr.com/forestry/
There is usually an office in each county. To find contact information for the SWCD in your area go to the following web site: www.dnr.state.oh.us/soilandwater/ or call 614-265-6610.
Private consulting foresters and industry foresters can also be contacted. Contact with individuals from either group can be made through the Ohio Forestry Association, Inc., 4080 S. High St., Columbus, Ohio 43207, 614-497-9580, Fax: 614-497-9581. Web site: www.ohioforest.org. A list of consulting foresters can also be obtained by going to the Ohio Division of Forestry web site, www.ohiodnr.com/forestry/ and looking under landowner assistance.
U.S. Geological Survey topographic maps can be obtained from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey, Fountain Square, Columbus, Ohio 43224 and various other sources around the state. Call 614-265-6576 for more information. Many SWCDs also carry topographical maps.
Copies of aerial photos can be obtained from the USDA Farm Service Agency office located in most counties. Copies of O&M plans and soil maps can be obtained from your local SWCD.