Archived - 2011 Timber Harvesting and Timber Extraction Road Construction - CFB Gagetown NB

Gagetown, Canadian Forces Base (NB)

Reasons for a Federal Assessment
Project Description
Final Decision

Archived Content

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Reference Numbers

Canadian Environmental Assessment Registry: 11-01-60567
Department of National Defence: 002‑2011_ Timber Harvesting and Extraction Road

Environmental Assessment Type

Screening

Responsible or Regulated Authorities

Department of National Defence

Reasons for a Federal Assessment

On January 24, 2011, it was determined that an environmental assessment was required in relation to the project because Department of National Defence was the proponent for the project.

Project Description (as posted in the Notice of Commencement)

Timber Harvesting - As part of the Sustainable Forest Management Program annual timber harvesting takes place within the CFB Gagetown Timber/Forest Management - Sustained Harvest Area, ZONE 4. Timber Sale's are publicly tendered each spring. Five or six Timber Sale Agreements will be awarded to harvest the planned 20, 000 m3 of timber. Both hardwood and softwood timber shall be harvested. Contracts are normally awarded in June, operations begin in early July and conclude on 15 March. Harvesting will occur on approximately 16 separate harvest blocks ranging in size from 5 - 30 ha. The timber harvesting is conducted by local contractors. The harvesting and transport of timber includes the following operations; cutting and felling, skidding or forwarding, slashing, chipping and trucking. Operations are conducted employing Best Management Practices as outlined in the Timber Sale Agreement. Cutting and felling operations employ both manual (chainsaws) and mechanical (processors/feller buncher equipment). Extraction involves utilizing purpose built forest machinery (skidders and/or forwarders) to transport timber roadside. Tractor-trailer type trucks are utilized to transport timber from roadside to destination locations.

Extraction Road Construction - There is a requirement to construct access/extraction roads to facilitate timber harvesting. The 2011 Forest Operating Plan calls for constructing approximately 2.0 km of new road (1.0 km summer road and 1.0 km of winter road) at designated locations. Constructing the extraction roads involves; cutting standing timber then stump removal (grubbing), trenching, levelling with bulldozer or excavator and installing in-stream and cross-drain culverts with a tracked excavator. The work will be carried out by Contractor's employing Best Management Practices as outlined in the Timber Sale Agreement. Water course alterations especially those planned in streams identified as fish habitat shall have engineer and environment approved site specific designs. All culvert installations will be supervised by personnel NB certified in Watercourse Alteration.

Final Decision

On July 6, 2012, the new Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 came into force which replaced the former Canadian Environmental Assessment Act. As a result, there is no longer a requirement to complete the environmental assessment of this project.