Section 1536.70  Site Preparation for Natural Regeneration

The purpose of this practice is to establish a stand of high value forest species through natural regeneration for timber production purposes and to protect and improve the environment.   For guidelines on species preference, refer to the ITFA Guide, cited previously, in Section 1536.25(c).

a)     Cost-sharing is not authorized for areas of less than one acre.

b)     Cost-sharing is authorized for one additional regeneration treatment, by use of seed or seedlings on the area originally site prepared, if by uncontrollable circumstances, such as weather related problems, etc., natural regeneration fails to become established to the required stocking level.

c)     Cost-Share Rates/Specification

1)     Site preparation for natural regeneration – 75% of actual cost not to exceed $30, $60, $90, or $180 per acre determined by the District Forester using the cost-share categories as described in Section 1536.30(c)(1)(B)(i) through (iv), as guidelines to determine an appropriate maximum cost-share amount.

2)     The goal is to obtain a 60-80% stocking level whereby a minimum of 20% to 40% of the available light reaches the forest floor, and other site factors are modified to enhance regeneration, by means of: reduction or elimination of competing vegetation, including unmerchantable or undesirable trees and brush, discing or tillage, use of foliar, cut surface, injected herbicides, mechanical removal of shallow rooted species, prescribed burn, and other measures as prescribed in the Plan.

3)     A complete written prescription, in the Plan or submitted as an addendum, must be approved by the District Forester prior to initiation of this practice.  The prescription shall address the process outlined in "Regenerating Red Oaks" by Rod Jacobs, Silviculturalist, U.S. Forest Service, State and Private Forestry, St. Paul, Minnesota (1987) (no later editions or amendments are included).  The prescription shall also address the "Elements of a Silvicultural Prescription" and the appropriate "Silvicultural Systems and Regeneration Methods" described in the "FORESTRY HANDBOOK" 2nd Edition, Edited by Karl F. Wenger, for the Society of American Foresters, 5400 Grosvenor Lane, Washington DC 20014 (1984) (no later editions or amendments are included).

4)     Creation of suitable soil conditions for establishment of seedlings of desired species is particularly crucial for oak species.  A reasonable expectation of seed deposition on the area to be regenerated must be imminent and abundant before site preparation is performed.

5)     This practice should not be done more than 20 years prior to a scheduled regeneration cut.

(Source:  Amended at 22 Ill. Reg. 10473, effective June 1, 1998)