Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest Draft ... - Cal Fire

Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest Draft Management Plan, June 2008
these goals. BMDSF must demonstrate sustainable timber production, and that timber production
must be managed primarily to provide research and educational values. Within that broad
statutory mandate, the management plan must adhere to policies and regulations developed by
the Board of Forestry.
The State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection sets policy for management of the State Forests.
This policy builds upon legislation, directing CAL FIRE to prepare detailed management plans
and to conduct programs in timber management, recreation, demonstration, and research.
Echoing the Legislature, the Board cites a large acreage of potentially productive timberland in
California not producing satisfactory growth of young timber. To attain proper management, the
Board states that there is a need to investigate, develop, and demonstrate new and improved
forest management methods to timberland owners and the public. The State Forests serve this
purpose while contributing to the economic stability of local communities by providing high yields
of forest products that help sustain local employment and create tax revenues.
The Board of Forestry forest management policies are defined in Chapter 0350 (0350-0351.10);
these policies outline and guide management actions. Board policy 0351.3 establishes the
primary purpose of the State Forest program to conduct innovative demonstrations, experiments,
and education in forest management. Additionally, this article establishes timber production as
the primary land use on BMDSF, while recognizing that recreation is a secondary but compatible
land use.
Statutory Authority
BMDSF’s management direction derives directly from statutes, regulations, and policies set by
the State Board of Forestry and Fire Protection. Board policy describes Boggs Mountain and
three of the other Demonstration State Forests as “commercial timberland areas managed by
professional foresters who conduct programs in timber management, recreation, demonstration,
and investigation in conformance with detailed management plans,” (Board Policy 0351.1). More
specifically, Board policy states that the primary purpose of BMDSF is to conduct innovative
demonstrations, experiments, and education in forest management; that timber production will be
the primary land use on BMDSF, and that recreation is recognized as a secondary but compatible
land use on BMDSF (Board Policy 0351.2). Further noteworthy policy directions that guide
BMDSF management include:
• Research and demonstration projects will include silviculture, mensuration, logging
methods, economics, hydrology, protection, and recreation. Research and demonstration
projects will be directed to the needs of the general public, small forest landowners,
timber operators, and the timber industry.
• Conduct periodic field tours to exhibit State Forest activities and accomplishments to
forest industry, small forest landowners, relevant public agencies and the general public,
and disseminate information to these audiences.
• Consult with and solicit the cooperation of the State universities and colleges, the USDA
Forest Service, and other public and private agencies in conducting studies requiring
special knowledge.
The Boggs Mountain Demonstration State Forest was acquired under the authority of the State
Forest Purchase Act (PRC Section 4631) and from funds made available to implement this act
provided by the 1947 Legislature. The legislative authority for the State Forest system is
contained in Sections 4631-4664 of the PRC. Division 4, Part 2, Chapter 9 of the PRC sets forth
the purposes and statutory conditions governing the acquisition and management of State
Forests.
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