During a sale

Inspect the operation

To ensure compliance with the conditions of the sale, your forester should inspect the logging site upon commencement of the operation, periodically during harvesting, and again upon completion of the operation before determining the status of the performance bond, if used.

As a landowner, you can help insure the long term health of your property by communicating to the logging crew and timber buyer that preventing soil erosion and protecting water quality are priorities to you. The logging crew can accomplish this by using Best Management Practices (BMP's).

BMP's are regulations that place special emphasis on certain aspects of the harvesting operation including:

• forest roads
• landing sites
• skidding
• stream crossings
• stream sides
• logging during adverse weather conditions
• use of hazardous materials

Professional foresters, Certified loggers, and loggers who have completed a Master Logger Program will be knowledgeable in the use of BMP's. You should work with your forester to make sure there is a plan in place use BMP's to control erosion and protect water quality on your property before harvesting begins.Your forester will also be knowledgeable in protecting residual timber from damage and appropriate selection methods for choosing harvestable trees. Proper and periodic inspection can detect potential problems early in the operation.

BMP's vary from state to state so be sure to contact your state's forestry agency to get a copy of your specific to your location.