Topics

I am about to hire a forester to prepare a Timber Harvest Plan.

Q: I am about to hire a forester to prepare a Timber Harvest Plan. I know about a scattering of obsidian flakes that have been covered over by needle litter. I sure don’t want to complicate my plan or make it more expensive. Should I tell the forester about this spot or hope that it goes unnoticed? ~ Member

A: You should always reveal whatever you know about your property as it helps to direct the forester to those sensitive areas that can cause problems if not identified prior to plan submission. The obsidian flakes you just mentioned could be indicative of a larger unknown site that, if discovered during operations, would mean stopping the logging until it can be assessed by an archeologist. Foresters are trained to use mitigation measures that allow you to still harvest timber while protecting the integrity of the site. Being up front with your forester is always best. ~ Consulting Forester