Ranking Criteria Items

Updated 09/18/2008

L. Forest Stand Improvement (666) (Timber Stand Improvement)

• When planning 666, field offices will use the Technical Assistance Request form (KY-NRCS-WHIP-FSP2R) to solicit assistance from Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF). KDF and KDFWR will complete the “Units Planned” and sign the “Needs Determination” section of this form.

• The forest practice plan will be jointly prepared by KDF and KDFWR personnel. It is recommended that the forester and biologist make the site visit together. The forest practice plan and the Forest Stewardship Plan 2 (FSP2) will be a concurrent planning process. However, a copy of the forest practice plan and a completed  (KY-NRCS-WHIP-FSP2R)  (PDF; 16KB) signed by KDF and KDFWR must be on file in the NRCS office before the end of the ranking period. The plan must prescribe practice treatment including acreage to be treated and basal area to be removed for each treatment unit(s) offered under WHIP. In addition, a Forest Stewardship Plan 2 (FSP2) is required as part of the planning process but it is not required to be completed by the end of the ranking period. However, the FSP2 will be placed in the fifth section of the six-part folder if a participant is accepted into the program. When 10 acres or less are being planned, a Forest Management Plan will suffice for the Forest Stewardship Plan 2 (FSP2) since KDF only develops FSP2s for 10 acres or more.

• To be eligible for this practice, the required practice plan must have been developed after 2000.

• An FSP2 is developed with wildlife as the primary objective and timber harvest as a secondary concern ensuring that:

        • As many hard mast species as possible are maintained during thinning operations.
        • White oaks and red oaks should be maintained in a good balance.
        • Maximum overstory and understory diversity including woody vines are maintained.
        • At least 2 to 4 cavity trees per acre are maintained if present. If less than 2 cavity trees are present, either create 2 to 4 cavity trees per acre during the thinning operation or maintain 2 to 4 larger trees per acre that may develop cavities.

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