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Effective Date: 12/1/77

Series: Forest Management

Part 586: Timber Management

Chapter 1: General Policies and Responsibility

Originating Office: Bureau of Land Management

1.1 Authority.

A. General. Forest Pest Control Act of September 20, 1922 (42 Stat. 857; 16 U.S.C. 594), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to protect timber on all lands under the Department=s jurisdiction from fire, disease, or insects. National Environmental Policy Act of 1969 (83 Stat. 852), P.L. 91-100, declares a policy to use all practicable means to create and maintain conditions under which man and nature can exist in productive harmony. Water Quality Improvement Act of April 3, 1970 (84 Stat. 91), P.L. 91-224, directs cooperation by all Federal agencies in the control of pollution, and Executive Order 11514, issued March 5, 1970, directs the heads of Federal agencies to monitor, evaluate, and control their activities to protect and enhance the quality of the environment. Historical Preservation Act of 1966 (80 Stat. 915; 16 U.S.C. 470, as amended) and Executive Order 11593, issued May 13, 1971, provide authority in preserving, restoring, and maintaining the historic and cultural environment. Endangered Species Act of 1973 (87 Stat. 832; 16 U.S.C. 1531-39) provides the authority for conserving threatened and endangered wildlife and plant species in the United States.

B. Bureau of Indian Affairs. Section 463 of the revised statutes (25 U.S.C. 2) provides that Athe Commissioner of Indian Affairs shall, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, and agreeable to such regulations as the President may prescribe, have the management of all Indian affairs and of all matters arising out of Indian relations.@ (Basic authority for Indian administration, including timber.) Act of June 18, 1934 (Section 6, 48 Stat. 986; 25 U.S.C. 466), directs the Secretary of the Interior to make rules and regulations for the operation and management of Indian forestry units on the principles of sustained yield management. (Does not apply to any reservation which did not accept the Act.) Act of February 14, 1920, as amended by the Act of March 1, 1933 (41 Stat. 415; 47 Stat. 1417; 25 U.S.C. 413), authorizes the Secretary of the Interior to charge a reasonable fee for work performed for Indian tribes or individuals. Act of February 16, 1889 (25 Stat. 673; 25 U.S.C. 196), authorizes the sale or disposal of dead and down timber on Indian lands. The Act of June 25, 1910 (Sections 7 and 8, 36 Stat. 857; 25 U.S.C. 406 and 407), as amended by the Act of April 30, 1964 (78 Stat. 186, 187; 25 U.S.C. 406 and 407), authorizes the sale of timber on Indian lands held under trust. Act of July 30, 1956 (70 Stat. 721; 25 U.S.C. 407d), authorizes the Secretary to charge purchasers of timber on Indian lands that are held in trust for special services requested by the purchaser.

C. Bureau of Land Management. O & C Act of August 28, 1937 (50 Stat. 874; 43 U.S.C. 1181 et seq.), authorizes the sale of timber from the Revested Oregon and California Railroad and Reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road grant lands under sustained yield and multiple use principles. Material Sales Act of July 31, 1947 (61 Stat. 681; 43 U.S.C. 1185, as amended), authorizes the disposal of timber and other vegetative resources on public lands. Act of May 14, 1898 (30 Stat. 414; 48 U.S.C. 423), authorizes the use of timber from public lands in Alaska for domestic purposes. The Department of the Interior, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of 1976 (P.L. 94-165) restricts the export of unprocessed timber (except for the exempt specie, Port Orford Cedar) from Federal lands west of the 100^th meridian. Public Land Administration Act of July 14, 1960 (74 Stat. 506; 43 U.S.C. 1362), authorizes investigation, studies, and experiments involving the improvement, management, use, and protection of public lands and their resources. Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (90 Stat. 2743; 43 U.S.C. 1701), provides for the management, protection, and development of the public lands.

D. National Park Service. National Park Service Act of August 25, 1916, as amended and supplemented (39 Stat. 535; 16 U.S.C. 1-18f), authorizes the National Park Service to conserve the scenery of areas of the National Park Service and provides for the sale or disposal of timber to control attacks of insects or diseases.

E. Fish and Wildlife Service. National Wildlife Refuge System Administration Act of 1966 (16 U.S.C. 668) provides for the administration and management of the National Wildlife Refuge System for conservation of fish and wildlife and provides for enforcement to protect its resources. Act of June 15, 1935 (49 Stat. 383), authorizes the sale of timber on National Wildlife Refuges.

1.2 Responsibility. The Secretary of the Interior is responsible for the proper direction and supervision of management on all forest lands under the jurisdiction of the Department of the Interior. The Assistant Secretary - Land and Water Resources is responsible for coordinating the program within the Department, providing information and staff assistance to the Secretariat, and serving as liaison outside of the Department. The Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Indian Affairs, National Park Service, Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bureau of Reclamation are responsible for management of forest lands under their administration pursuant to the specific authorities cited above. The Bureau of Land Management administers the sale of timber on public lands withdrawn for the Bureau of Reclamation, except for such lands within National Forests where the Forest Service, USDA, provides that service.

1.3 Policy. Forest lands are managed to yield the highest combination of products and benefits consistent with the purposes specified by Congress. All forest management activities are directed in accordance with sound silvicultural practices, multiple use, and environmental enhancement. The protection of streams, wildlife, and other forest values are taken into account in developing a forest management plan.

A. National Park System. These lands administered by the National Park Service are managed in such a way as to ensure, as far as possible, that a normal and natural ecological balance is maintained or that the historical value of the area is protected. This generally precludes sale of forest products.

B. National Wildlife Refuges. These lands are managed to protect and conserve certain natural environments, the habitats of migratory birds and other indigenous and endangered wildlife; to demonstrate optimal land management; and to provide other public benefits from these resources. Sales of forest products may be made which do not conflict in any way with management of the refuge.

C. Commercial Forest Lands. Forest lands bearing or capable of bearing timber in commercial quantities and economically available now or prospectively for commercial use and not otherwise withdrawn from such use are to be managed in accordance with the principles of sustained yield. Such lands are primarily the Revested Oregon and California Railroad lands, Reconveyed Coos Bay Wagon Road Grant lands, Public Domain lands, and Indian tribal lands. The forests on allotted Indian lands are managed under the multiple-use concept, and in accordance with sound silvicultural principles, based upon a consideration of the needs and best interests of the Indian owner and his/her heirs.

(1) Sales. Timber and other forest products, including timber from Indian forests in excess of that being developed by the Indian, will be offered for sale through competitive bidding procedures, except where regulations and provisions permit negotiated sales or free use.

(2) Forest Regeneration. Nonstocked forest lands resulting from harvesting or fire will be promptly regenerated. The method of regeneration may be natural or artificial seeding or planting. The tree species used for reforestation purposes should be suitable to the site and climatic conditions so as to produce optimum growth and yield.

(3) Protection. Every reasonable effort will be made to protect forest values from destruction by fire, insects, diseases, and other destructive agents. To accomplish this purpose the following policies should be followed:

(a) Fire. See 590 DM 1.

(b) Insect and disease. See 611 DM 1.

(c) Soil and water protection and enhancement. The protection and enhancement of forest soils and water quality and quantity will be incorporated in forest management plans. Special care will be taken in locating and constructing logging roads, including stabilizing cut and fill banks, selection of harvesting methods, and other measures to avoid or inhibit soil erosion. Stream banks and water courses will be safe guarded. Measures will include means to prevent thermal, sediment, and debris pollution of water.

(d) Maintenance of all forest values. Forest management plans will take into consideration all forest values including ecological associations. Provision will be made for wildlife and protection and enhancement of wildlife habitat. Recreational values will be protected and enhanced including aesthetic values. Use of biocides and other biota control measures will be carefully controlled.

12/1/77 #2045

Replaces 12/16/76 #1944