Stumped November 2017
Answers to Inspectors’ Most Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What type of specifications can be addressed in a landowner’s contract for forestry activities?
A: When conducting forestry activities, landowners must ensure that their actions and those actions taken on their behalf are in conformance with both the landowner’s objectives and the ATFS Standards. In order to safeguard landowners from liability risks and protect their assets, we encourage landowners to work with qualified natural resource professionals and contractors and review the Standards before planning management activities. When agreeing upon the terms of the contract, landowners and designated representatives are encouraged to stipulate that contractors must be in compliance with all relevant laws and regulations and should specify that appropriate state forestry BMPs must be adhered to. A qualified natural resource professional can help with this process.
- Other contract specifications might include:
- Protection of special sites or habitats
- Adherence to labor laws
- Requirements for adequate insurance
- Protection of soil and water integrity
- Residual tree damage
- Forest road maintenance and restoration
- Fence and gate protection and/or restoration
- Litter control
- Hazardous material spill prevention and clean‐up
- Residual slash management
As a general rule, landowners are encouraged to retain contracts or records for management activities for three years.
