CHEROKEE FOREST VOICES DEFINITIONS
These definitions are not in alphabetical order. They are arranged as they are in order to (hopefully) ease their comprehension.

 NATIONAL FOREST- Federally owned property administrated by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS), a part of the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA).

 CHIEF - The head of the U.S. Forest Service. He reports directly to the Under-secretary of the USDA

 REGIONAL FORESTER - Director for all the National Forests in one geographic region. The Regional Forester for Cherokee National Forest is in Atlanta, Georgia.

 FOREST SUPERVISOR- Manager for one or several National Forests. The Forest Supervisor for the Cherokee National Forest is in Cleveland, Tennessee.

 DISTRICT RANGER - Manager for one (or two) Ranger Districts, that is 100,000 to 200,000 acres of a National Forest.

 SILVICULTURIST - USFS. employee who plans tree cutting.

 FOREST PLAN - (LAND AND RESOURCE MANAGEMENT PLAN)- A set of policy statements formulated by each National Forest to govern how that forest will be managed for the next 10-15 years.

 NEPA.- The National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, which requires that the consequences be studied before a decision is made to take any federal action which is likely to have significant environmental effects.

 SCHEDULE OF PROPOSED ACTIONS- List of activities the Forest Service plans. Issued quarterly . The Forest Service is required by law to send you a copy, but only if you ask for it! To get on the mailing list send your request to Cleveland Office.

 SCOPING NOTICE - A notification by the Forest Service to possibly interested parties that a certain action is being contemplated and a request for advice on potential problems which should be addressed. There is a closing date for the public's comment.

 ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT (EA)- A lengthy document prepared by the USFS which purports to look at economic, social and environmental consequences of a proposed action and various alternatives to that action. Alternatives are described in considerable detail and a preferred alternative is usually stated. The public has a 30 day deadline for comment. If interested you must make sure you get these documents . You may have to pester to them get it. Required by the regulations for implementing the procedural requirements of the NEPA

 INTERDISCIPLINARY TEAM (ID TEAM) - Professionals primarily responsible for preparing the EA. The list is usually a silviculturist, forest hydrologist, biologist, forest soil scientist, fisheries biologists, archaeologist, engineer, landscape architect, timber and other management assistants, with consultations from the Tennessee Division of Natural Heritage and the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

 FONSI- (Finding of no significant impact ) The USFS, on the basis of the EA., claims that a certain alternative will have no significant environmental impact; otherwise, they would be required by law to do an Environmental Impact Statement. The FONSI is usually included in the Record of Decision.

 RECORD OF DECISION- ( notice of decision)- A letter from a Deciding Officer (Responsible Official) stating that a certain alternative has been chosen for implementation and that there is a FONSI . The appeals process begins the day after a notice of decision, signed by Responsible Official, is published in a local paper. Public has 45 days to file a written appeal, which must be sent to the Regional Forester. Forest Plan appeals are sent to the Chief of the Forest Service.

 ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT (EIS) - A very lengthy and detailed scientific study of the environmental, social and economic consequences of a range of proposed federal actions. Usually takes several years to prepare and cost several million dollars. Done only if significant environmental impacts are expected -usually after a successful appeal or a federal lawsuit.

 APPEAL - A document filed according to certain procedures (36 CFR 215.14) with the Regional Forester within 45 days of publication of a Record of Decision. It states that the decided action is illegal in some respect or violates established plans and procedures and asks that it be set aside or changed in specific ways.

The primary participants in the appeal process are:

 STANDING- The appellant must have previously commented on or expressed interest in the action being appealed. It is best to be in on scoping level but you MUST have commented at EA level to have standing to appeal. You can only appeal on issues raised at scoping and EA level so the generic scoping list is important to study.

 FOIA (Freedom of Information Act) - Procedure for requesting information that may be left out of the public copy of an EA or an EIS. Seek legal advice before using the first time.

 CATEGORICAL EXCLUSION - Certain actions which by law, do not require an EA. or EIS. ( Chapter 1909.15, section 31 of the Forest Service Handbook see also Sept. 18, 1992 CFR pages 43208-432 10) Examples - trail construction, prescribed burning , short term mineral investigation, fence rebuilding, but such activities may not be excluded from E.A. or appeal if "extraordinary circumstances " are involved ( if they are in proposed wilderness, roadless areas, endangered species habitat, wetlands , steep slopes or historic sites.

 EXCLUSION - Projects for which no comments or expressions of interest are mailed during the public comment period.

 COMPARTMENT - A section of the National Forest, usually around 1000 acres.

 STAND- A part of a compartment , usually 10-50 acres. Supposedly all the same type and age trees. Timber sales projects normally mention compartment and stand numbers.

 CISC DATA- (Continuous inventory of stand conditions)- Database containing descriptive and prescriptive data about mapped stands of forest land.

 WILDERNESS- An area designated by congress under the 1964 Wilderness Act. Wilderness is undeveloped federal land retaining its primeval character and influence without permanent improvements or human habitation. It is protected and managed so as to preserve its natural conditions which (1) generally appear to have been affected primarily by the forces of nature with the imprint of man's activity substantially unnoticeable; (2) has outstanding opportunities for solitude or a primitive and unconfined type or recreation; and (3) may contain features of scientific, educational , scenic, or historical value as ecological and geologic interest. Wilderness areas are permanently protected by law in their natural condition and are protected from logging , road construction and mining. Allowed uses include non-motorized recreation, such as hiking, nature study, horseback riding, camping, canoeing and fishing, as well as hunting the national forests. Only 1% of the land in the southern Appalachian region has this protection and is assured of remaining natural Most is in national forests.

 WILDERNESS STUDY AREA- A roadless area that has been evaluated and judged suitable for formal study of its wilderness qualities for possible designation as Wilderness. These areas are given special management and planning consideration until their status is determined.

 ROADLESS AREA- Undeveloped federal land within which there are no improved roads or roads maintained for travel by means of motorized vehicles intended for highway use. Roadless areas are the last remaining places eligible to receive wilderness protection. These areas retain or are regaining a natural appearance and may include no more than 1/2 mile of improved road per 1,000 acres. This classification does not protect a place from future road-building; it simply reflects existing conditions. Two percent (2%) of the land in the southern Appalachian national forests is inventoried as roadless.

 OLD GROWTH- Forest Service definition is a stand of trees that is past full maturity and showing decadence. We believe it to be the last stage in forest succession when it begins to produce its full native biodiversity.

 DIVERSITY- The distribution and abundance of different plant and animal communities and species within the area covered by a land and resource management plan or within a landscape consisting of forest and adjacent farmlands. (36 CFR 219.3)

 ENDANGERED SPECIES-Plant and animal species identified by the Secretary of Interior as endangered in accordance with the 1973 Endangered Species Act.

 RECREATION OPPORTUNITY SPECTRUM (ROS) - A method for classifying types of recreation experiences available, or for specifying recreation experience objectives desired in certain areas. Classes are: Primitive, Semiprimitive non-motorized, Semiprimitive motorized, Roaded Natural, Rural, and Urban.

 PRIMITIVE (ROS) CLASS- A area characterized by essentially unmodified natural environment of fairly large size. Interaction between users is very low and evidence of other users is minimal. The area is managed to be essentially free from evidence of human-induced restrictions and controls. Motorized use within the area is not permitted.

 SEMIPRIMITIVE (ROS) CLASS- An area characterized by a predominately natural or natural-appearing environment of moderate-to-large size. Interaction between users is low but there is often evidence of other users . The area is managed in such a way that minimum on-site controls and restrictions may be present but are subtle. The recreation experience opportunity would be characterized by a moderately high probability of experiencing isolation from the sights and sounds of humans, independence, closeness to nature, tranquillity and self-reliance through the application of outdoor skills in an environment that offers challenge and risk. Additional characteristics of Semiprimitive Class: ROADED NATURAL (ROS) CLASS - An area characterized by predominately natural-appearing environments with moderate evidence of the sights and sounds of man. Interaction is low to moderate, but with evidence of other users prevalent. Resource modification practices are evident . Opportunities for motorized and non-motorized forms of recreation are possible.

 RURAL (ROS) CLASS- A classification for areas characterized by a substantially modified natural environment.

 URBAN (ROS) CLASS- An area characterized by a substantially urbanized environment, although the background may have natural-appearing elements. Resource modification and utilization practices are to enhance specific recreation activities. Vegetative cover is often manicured. Sights and sounds of humans on-site are predominant. Large numbers of users can be expected . Facilities for highly intensified motor use and parking are available.

 ATV- (All- Terrain Vehicle)- Any motorized, off-highway vehicle 50 inches or less in width, having a dry weight of 600 pounds or less that travels on three or more low-pressure tires with a seat designed to be straddled by the operator.

 ROAD MAINTENANCE LEVELS- MANAGEMENT AREA- An area with similar management objectives and a common management prescription .

 EVEN-AGE MANAGEMENT- The application of a combination of actions that results in the creation of stands in which trees of essentially the same age grow together. Clearcut, shelterwood or seed tree cutting methods produce even-aged stands. (36 CFR 219.3)

 UNEVEN-AGE MANAGEMENT- The application of a combination of actions needed to simultaneously maintain continuous high-forest cover, recurring regeneration of desirable species, and the orderly growth and development of trees through a range of diameter or age classes to provide a sustained yield of forest products. Cutting is usually regulated by specifying the number or proportion of trees of particular sizes to retain within each area, thereby maintaining a planned distribution of size classes. Cutting methods that develop and maintain uneven-aged stands are single tree selection and group selection. (36 CFR 219.3)

 EARLY SUCCESSION FOREST - The biotic community that develops immediately following the removal or destruction (e.g. from wildfire) of the vegetation in an area.
EARLY SUCCESSIONAL WILDLIFE SPECIES - Examples of early successional wildlife species would be chestnut-sided warbler, white-tailed deer and ruffed grouse.

 LATE SUCCESSION FOREST - This refers to forest age classes generally older than 40 to 60 years.
LATE SUCCESSIONAL WILDLIFE SPECIES -Examples of late successional wildlife species would be pileated woodpecker, gray squirrel, wild turkey, black bear.

 MAST- HARD MAST is the fruit or nuts of oaks, beech, walnuts, chinquapins and hickories. SOFT MAST includes the fruits and berries of dogwood, viburnums, elderberry, huckleberry, grape, raspberry and blackberry.

 MULTIPLE -USE, SUSTAINED- YIELD ACT of 1960 (16 U.S.C. 528)

 MULTIPLE USE - As prescribed by law, the National Forest is to be managed for timber, water supply, scenic value, recreation, wildlife and for wilderness values. The USFS generally puts timber above all the others.

 SUSTAINED YIELD - A theory that we can harvest from the National Forest each year as much as value of wood as is grown back each year and do this forever without ever running out of timber. The fallacy is that they cut a few big trees and replace them with thousands of little sprouts and claim they have equal value. Also a forest is worth more than timber.

 RIPARIAN - Land areas which are directly influenced by water. They usually have visible vegetative or physical characteristics showing this water influence. Streamside, lake borders, or marshes are typical riparian areas.

 PERENNIAL STREAM- Water that flows throughout the year and from source to mouth. They receive water not only from precipitation but also from underground sources at springs and seeps. They owe their permanency to the ground water in the area adjoining the stream being at higher elevation than the stream bed.

 INTERMITTENT STREAM- Water that flows at certain times or the year when it receives waters from springs or from some surface source such as melting snow in mountain areas.

 EPHEMERAL STREAM- Waters that flow only in direct response to precipitation and whose channels are at all times above the water table.

 SPECIAL USE PERMIT- A permit granted by the USFS to an individual or business to make use of a portion of National Forest property, often for such things as radio towers, water wells or tanks but also for lodges and ski resorts.

 PRESCRIPTION- A proposal written by a silverculturist describing how he thinks a part of the National Forest should be managed.

 SUITABLE FOREST LAND - Land that is managed for timber production on a regulated basis.

 UNSUITABLE FOREST LAND- Not suited. Forest land that is not managed for timber production because (a) the land has been withdrawn by Congress, the Secretary , or the Chief, (b) the land is not producing or capable of producing crops of industrial wood; (c) technology is not available to prevent irreversible damage to soils, productivity or watershed conditions; (d) there is no reasonable assurance that lands can be adequately restocked within 5 years after final harvest, based on existing technology and knowledge as reflected in current research and experience, (e) there is at present a lack of adequate information to responses to timber management activities; or (f) timber management is inconsistent with or not cost efficient in meeting the management requirements and multiple use objectives specified in the Forest Plan.

 ASQ ( Allowable Sale Quantity) - The quantity of timber that may be sold from the area of suitable land covered by the Forest Plan for a time period specified by the Plan. This quantity is usually expressed on an annual basis as the average annual allowable sale quantity. (36 CFR 219.3)

 DIAMETER BREAST HEIGHT (DBH) - The diameter of a tree measured 4 1/2 feet above the ground.

 HARVEST- Cut timber

 REGENERATION CUT- Removing the existing trees from a stand so that better trees (commercial species )can grow back.

 CLEARCUT - A method of intensive timber management wherein all trees, merchantable or un-merchantable, are removed from an area. Regeneration results in a stand of even-aged trees.

 SHELTERWOOD CUT- A clearcut where a certain number of trees per acre are left (possibly 40 ).

 SEED TREE CUT- Same as shelterwood cut, except fewer trees are left.

 GROUP SELECTION- Clearcuts of 2 acres or less. Note that trees between groups may also be cut if the silvirculturist thinks they should.

 SINGLE TREE SELECTION CUT-Cutting a tree here and a tree there to avoid heavy impacts. Not practical using heavy equipment. Ideal for horse logging if attention is paid to removing poor trees as well as good.

 HIGH-GRADING - The practice of single tree selection, where all the poorest trees are left behind.

 INTERMEDIATE CUTTING- Any removal of trees from a stand between the time of its formation and the regeneration cut. Most commonly applied intermediate cutting are release, thinning, improvement and salvage.

 TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT- Activities conducted in young stands of timber to improve growth rate, species composition and form of the remaining trees. May be called release, thinning, slash down, or herbicide spraying.

 REGENERATION - The renewal of forest cover by seeding, planting and natural means.

 NATURAL REGENERATION- Area will not be bulldozed and planted to pines. May be highly unnatural with burning and herbicide treatment involved.

 HERBICIDE- A chemical compound used to kill or control growth of undesirable plant species.

 ROTATION - The number of years required to establish (including the regeneration period) and grow timber crops to a specified condition or maturity for regeneration harvest.

 INTOLERANT SPECIES- Those plant species that do not grow well in shade.

 SITE PREPARATION - Burning and/or bulldozing a clearcut site before planting pine trees.

 DAY LIGHTING- Cutting back trees and shrubs, in a strip, along a road in the National Forest.

 SAWTIMBER- Logs big enough to be sawed into construction material or made into veneer- usually at least 12 inches in diameter. Sold by 1000 board feet (MBF).

 ROUND WOOD-Wood from trees too small, crooked, or defective for sawtimber. Goes into chips, pulp, paper or particle board. Sold by cubic feet.

 BOARD FOOT- Wood equivalent to a piece 1 foot wide, 1 foot long and 1 inch thick. (MBF= thousand board feet; MMBF = million board feet).
CUBIC FOOT - Wood equivalent to a piece 1 foot wide, 1 foot long and 1 foot thick. (= 12 board feet).

 NFMA- NATIONAL FOREST MANAGEMENT ACT OF 1976 (90 Stat.2948 et seq.; 16 USC 1601-1614) , which prohibits clearcutting unless it can be shown to be the optimum method and which requires National Forests to produce 10- year Land and Resource Management Plans. Regulations to implement NFMA are set forth at (36 CFR part 219).

 AGE CLASS- The 10-year interval into which the age range of trees is divided for classification, under the even-age management scheme.

 KV FUNDS- Knutson-Vandenberg Act of 1930. Funds provided from the U.S. treasury to the Forest Service for forest regeneration, and timber stand improvement. Supposed to be used to plant trees, burning , herbicide, plowing. May be used for other work such as, roads, wildlife, and administration.

 25% FUNDS- (THE NATIONAL FOREST REVENUES ACT) This Act creates a federal revenue sharing program which returns 25% of the gross receipts of National Forests to the counties. The 25% Funds are calculated from the total of receipts (e.g. timber sales, recreation fees, etc.) collected by the Forest Service from the local National Forest. These 25% funds are sent to the state, which disperses the money to each county according to the proportion of National Forest acreage within the county, not on the basis of the amount of receipts generated within the county's borders.

 PILT ACT (Payment In Lieu of Taxes) - Funds authorized by Congress to be paid by the USFS each year to each county on the basis of acreage of National Forest in that county. Usually only a few thousand dollars but it's bonus money because the county does not need to provide services to those areas since there are no residents. The 25% paid by USFS from each timber sale is subtracted from the PILT.

ON- In Forest Service parlance, things are NEVER "in" the national forest, they are "on" the national forest. For example, most people would say "hunting is allowed in the Cherokee National Forest" while the Forest Service would say "hunting is allowed on the Cherokee National Forest." When communicating with the Forest Service in writing, use "on" when referring to the forest.