PotlatchDeltic Works to Establish Hardwood Streamside Management Zones

Rhea-AI Summary

PotlatchDeltic (PCH) is implementing forestry best management practices to protect water quality in Georgia and Alabama. The company is establishing hardwood streamside management zones (SMZs) in areas previously converted to pine plantations, which risked increased erosion. This process involves:

1. Creating a buffer zone around ephemeral channels
2. Removing existing pine trees from the buffer area
3. Protecting and promoting hardwood growth within the buffer
4. Recording and protecting these areas as young hardwood stands in their GIS mapping system

These efforts aim to enhance water quality, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity. The company believes this approach will better protect the litter layer on ephemeral channels during tree harvesting, as required by local BMPs.

Positive

• Implementation of forestry best management practices to protect water quality
• Establishment of hardwood streamside management zones to reduce erosion risk
• Potential enhancement of water quality, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity

Negative

• None.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / August 30, 2024 / PotlatchDeltic

Forestry best management practices (BMPs) are voluntary practices that forestry professionals follow to protect water quality in the areas that they manage. In Georgia and Alabama, BMPs require that the litter layer on top of the soil be left on ephemeral channels when trees are harvested along ephemerals. Ephemeral channels are channels formed by water during or immediately after a precipitation event where the top layer of the forest floor is disturbed, and soil is exposed. Previous owners of one of our tracts had harvested all the pine and hardwood trees from along the ephemeral ditches and then converted the area to pine plantation. Our foresters identified areas where the prior conversion risked increased erosion and decided to establish them as hardwood streamside management zones (SMZs).

To achieve this transition back to hardwood, a buffer was established as an additional protected area. The existing pine was removed from the buffer area and all hardwood currently growing inside the buffer area was protected. The growth of the hardwood inside the newly established buffer area was aided by additional sunlight that reached the trees due to the removal of the pines. The buffer areas are recorded and protected as young hardwood stands in our GIS mapping system and are allowed to grow freely into riparian hardwood buffers. We believe that this enhances water quality, wildlife habitat, and biodiversity.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from PotlatchDeltic on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:
Spokesperson: PotlatchDeltic
Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/potlatchdeltic
Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: PotlatchDeltic

View the original press release on accesswire.com

FAQ

What forestry practices is PotlatchDeltic (PCH) implementing in Georgia and Alabama?

PotlatchDeltic is implementing forestry best management practices (BMPs) to protect water quality, including establishing hardwood streamside management zones (SMZs) in areas previously converted to pine plantations.

How is PotlatchDeltic (PCH) creating hardwood streamside management zones?

PotlatchDeltic is creating hardwood SMZs by establishing buffer zones around ephemeral channels, removing pine trees from these areas, protecting existing hardwoods, and allowing them to grow freely into riparian hardwood buffers.

What are the expected benefits of PotlatchDeltic's (PCH) new forestry practices?

The expected benefits of PotlatchDeltic's new forestry practices include enhanced water quality, improved wildlife habitat, increased biodiversity, and reduced risk of erosion in managed forest areas.

How does PotlatchDeltic (PCH) track and protect the newly established hardwood areas?

PotlatchDeltic records and protects the newly established hardwood areas as young hardwood stands in their GIS mapping system, allowing them to grow freely into riparian hardwood buffers.