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Layout & Fieldwork
Author: Forteck Team
March 9th, 2021
This blog refers to the work that Forteck would complete as part of a standard layout contract with our clients.
When in the field, crews begin their day with a tailgate meeting to document their working locations, communication procedures and to identify any potential safety hazards they may encounter throughout their day. Most crews will carpool to their start locations and work separately from there. It allows for some efficiencies, as well as ensures we can minimize costs on the project as best as possible.
In the majority of our projects, biodegradable ribbon is tied and hung on trees to identify the working boundaries. These boundaries are highlighted based on the spatial sequence layer provided by the clients. We also identify any watercourses within the harvest boundaries to ensure they are properly classified and protected as needed. Areas of tree retention are ribboned, becoming protected to ensure company-specific targets are achieved. Ideal road locations are ribboned while finding any locations for watercourses crossings or avoiding steep terrain. These roads are heavily scrutinized, as the improper location may result in environmental concerns or safety concerns for those individuals who make use of them.
For each block that is completed, the information is collected and submitted as block cards, maps, data and photos to the client. This information includes any identified watercourse and their associated buffers, tree species and percentage, tree species distribution, slope percent, ground conditions, soil compaction concerns, season of operability and other company-specific requirements. Any unique or potential concerns identified at the time of layout are brought forward to the client and dealt with on a case-by-case basis. This information is in turn used by the logging contractor to help paint a picture of what they will encounter while harvesting.