Annual forest stand examination list available for review

[HD]

Annual forest stand examination list available for review
(Released January 23, 2012)

The annual stand examination list (ASEL) for state-administered forest land, prepared by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), is available for public review.
The ASEL is for fiscal year 2013, which begins July 1, 2012, and ends June 30, 2013. Comments will be accepted during a 30-day public comment period that ends on Feb. 29.

The public has two options for reviewing harvest plans, according to Dave Epperly, DNR director of Forestry.

Proposed stand examination locations, preliminary management prescriptions and forest inventory information can be viewed on the DNR website.

Comments regarding a proposed stand examination site can be submitted to the DNR using this website.

People without Internet access or those who prefer to review and discuss the annual stand examination list information directly with a forester, may contact or visit a local DNR area forestry office. Individuals should contact the local area forestry office prior to a visit to ensure the appropriate forestry staff will be available.

For information, contact Jon Nelson, DNR Forestry, 500 Lafayette Road, St. Paul, MN, 55155-4044; 651-259-5278; jon.nelson@state.mn.us.

The DNR administers 5 million acres of forest lands that have been certified as being well- managed under two separate third-party auditing systems. Annual stand examination lists are derived from multi-year forest management plans developed for these DNR lands by interdisciplinary DNR planning teams with public input, and based on long-term forest resource management goals.

DNR staff will complete field evaluations on the 49,100 acres identified on the fiscal year 2013 ASEL and determine appropriate treatments, including timber harvest. It is estimated that approximately 35,000-40,000 of these acres will be suitable for timber sales. The timber will be appraised and offered for sale in the upcoming fiscal year.