Sustainable Development of Forestlands Project

Forestland Development Guidelines

The following guidelines have been drawn from the literature, reference to various case studies, personal experience, and input from a multi-disciplinary team of professionals.

Construction & Building Guidelines: for roads and lot development, minimize impervious surfaces, protect riparian zones, core habitats and other sensitive areas, use green building materials, choose appropriate wastewater systems, create buildings/structures to reduce energy use, etc…

Management & Maintenance Guidelines: woodland management and forestry BMPs, water quality maintenance, wildfire prevention, permissible activities on private and conserved lands to protect forest soils, flora and fauna, etc...

Locating, Planning and Creating Developments that Fit with Regional and Landscape Context

Focus development near existing towns and settlements in order to protect the ecological and productive functions of forestlands. Do not scatter development across the forested landscape. Rather, locate new developments that accommodate greater numbers of residents in close proximity to existing towns and settlements. To reduce the number of single-vehicle trips between home and common destinations, provide easy access to schools, work, shopping and community services within walking distance (ideally 2,000 feet or less), on bus lines (ideally with bus stops located within 1,000 feet of residences), and/or near bikeways.

If a forested area is to be developed, identify conservation areas and areas with the greatest potential for sustainable forestry practices during the site planning and design process. If possible, cluster homes in order to protect a larger portion of the forestland and to eliminate the need for additional roads or other infrastructure, which typically have a significant impact on forest integrity. Reduce the size/length of roads and other areas of disturbance. Create a development that is consistent with regional and local ordinances or seek to improve local laws if they restrict creative design/development/construction techniques.

Protection of Natural Resources

Forest Vegetation (trees, shrubs, vines, herbaceous flora and other groundcover)

• Minimize the loss of in-tact forestland by minimizing fragmentation of large tracts of forest, particularly those connected to surrounding forest conservation areas. "Large patches of natural vegetation are the only structures in a landscape that protect aquifers and interconnected stream networks, sustain viable populations of most interior species, provide core habitat and escape cover for most large-home-range vertebrates, and permit near-natural disturbance regimes" (Dramstad, Olson & Forman 1996, 22).
• Minimize the number of large trees lost due to direct and indirect development impacts.
• Minimize disturbance to native soils, vegetation (including their roots), and other biological components.
• Prohibit the use of invasive species within forestland developments; develop a list of species that may be planted by homeowners with a focus on native plants.

Forest Hydrology (stormwater, streams, drainageways, wetlands, floodplains, riparian corridors)

• Conserve as much forestland and non-invasive vegetation as possible for watershed protection. Retain natural hydrologic patterns, namely stormwater collection on forest vegetation and in forest soils.
• Strictly limit clearing, construction and vehicle parking near or within riparian and wetland areas and near lakes, ponds and other surface water features.
• Minimize the number of stream crossings to reduce disturbance to streams and riparian corridors and choose stable stream crossing sites (VDOF 2002).
• Protect slopes adjacent to streams wherever possible. Provide adequate buffers between roads or developed areas and streams/drainageways (ideally 100 feet or more with greater buffers on slopes steeper than 20%).
• Minimize erosion and sedimentation impacts by using appropriate erosion controls (see design ideas below).
• Minimize impervious surface areas by minimizing the amount of roads, roofs, and other hard surfaces. Provide increased filtering and retention of stormwater in as many ways as possible (see design ideas below).

Forest Soils (including organic material) & Geologic Features

• Minimize amount of cut and fill during the construction of roads, residences and other elements, and minimize the removal and compaction of forest soils to protect soil structure, biology, and fertility.
• Minimize disturbance to steep slopes (particularly slopes greater than 20%) to protect shallow, often infertile, and erosion-prone soils.
• Keep construction away from significant geological features (such as sinkholes, caves, mines, etc.; do not redirect stormwater into caves, sinkholes or other karst features.

Forest Fauna (native species, particularly wildlife dependent on larger core or interior habitats)

• Do not encroach on habitats associated with forest-dependent species; rare, threatened and endangered (RT&E) species, and other “sensitive species”.
• Retain dead and downed woody material (4-5 snags/acre and approximately 20% dead material is critical for small mammals/birds); encourage the creation of brush piles to provide refuge for small mammals and birds.
• Minimize bright exterior lighting to reduce impacts to nocturnal animals.
  

Design and Management of the Development to Reduce Future Impacts to Natural Resources

Creation & Enforcement of Legally-Binding Restrictions

• Ordinances, covenants and restrictions should be written to prohibit or minimize harmful activities during site construction and for the life of the development, while also promoting excellent stewardship of the land.
• Ordinances, covenants and restrictions need to be legally binding and include feasible enforcement mechanisms. Responsibility for on-going education, monitoring and enforcement need ot be clearly articulated.
• Establish permanent legal protection of conservation lands by using conservation easements or other appropriate land protection/conservation tools.

Sustainable Development, Land-Use & Land Management Practices

• Prepare a Forest Management Plan to direct timber cutting, non-timber product harvesting, removal of invasive plants and diseased trees, seasonal mowing of meadows, etc.
• Design and implement roads that follow the contour with grades between 2-10%. In some instances, grades of up to 15% may be acceptable to reduce side grading and avoid excessive soil removal.
• Make certain that roads are stable, well-drained and properly surfaced with gravel or asphalt.
• Cross streams, "using properly designed and constructed structures installed at right angles to the road." Construction access should be established in the same locations as planned permanent roadways. Culverts and other structures should not impede fish passage or stream flow (VDOF 2002, 23). Regularly maintain culvert inlets, outlets and drainage features to prevent sediment and debris accumulation.
• Slow, filter and hold stormwater runoff to cleanse and process runoff on-site near to where precipitation falls. Create porous pavements, shared driveways, green-roofs, filter-strips, soaker belts, cisterns & rain-barrels, etc. for greater groundwater recharge and reduced erosion, sedimentation, and flooding.
• Reduce erosion and sedimentation (E&S) during the construction process by appropriately staging construction activities and using silt fences, barrier fabrics, temporary access points, and other E&S tools. Implement oversight and regular E&S checkups for quality control and specify these in E&S control plans.
• Add site amenities to increase ecological functioning (for example, constructed wetlands, reforested areas, expanded riparian buffers, and plantings of native vegetation).
• Locate, design, construct and maintain wastewater treatment systems well-suited to soils, geology, forest types, drainageways and other features. Use technologies that minimize damage and capitalize on natural cleansing processes. Provide an adequate buffer (at least 150 feet) between streams and treatment systems.
• Create and/or maintain forest or woodland edges with high structural diversity, vertical and horizontal, to create richer habitats for wildlife.
• Require cats to be kept in the house, and dogs be kept in the home, within a fenced area, or leashed. Strongly encourage homeowners to keep domesticated animals in the home and make it clear that domesticated animals should not and cannot legally be released into forests, stream corridors, and other habitat conservation areas.

Fire Prevention

• Implement fire prevention planning, design and construction (consider the proximity of structures in relation to expected fire behavior and vegetation types, especially highly flammable vegetation and materials).
• Locate homes in forest settings where wildfires will have little chance of damaging homes and property. Account for upslope drafts, prevailing winds and wooded areas with high potential to ignite and burn.
• Establish a transition zone between the home site and woodland edge to create a fire deterrent buffer. Create a protective buffer of lawn or other non-flammable landscaping around each home (refer to VDOF "firewise" recommendations).
• Use fire resistant construction materials (typically brick, stone & fire-protected metal rather than wood, vinyl or other more readily flammable materials).
• Encourage woodland home fire prevention practices after occupancy, such as VDOF "firewise" techniques.

Energy Conservation

Locate, design and construct homes to reduce energy consumption by using passive and active heating/cooling, selecting appropriate materials and construction techniques, and employing low-energy architectural designs and design features.

Pollution Prevention

• Limit the use of fertilizers and pesticides used by home/landowners; retain dead trees unless they present hazards for homes and people; do not allow grass clippings and other debris to be dumped into the forest.
• Use wildlife-proof garbage containers and discourage inappropriate feeding of wildlife.
• Prohibiti or otherwise limit the use of leaf blowers.
• Limit motorized recreation vehicles on trails, especially motorcycles and 4-wheel ATVs.
  

Protection of Cultural Resources and Local Residents

Preserving the Cultural Identity of the Area

• Retain historic buildings, structures or other special cultural features.
• Account for the land-use history of the site, documenting the timing and type of timber operations and other land-use activities and why they occurred the way they did. Answer in as detailed way as possible the question, Has the site been altered, and if so how and for how long?
• Retain local farm structures and prime and locally important farmland soils.
• Use local materials in site and housing developments.

Encouraging Sustainable Economic Productivity

Create employment opportunities related to the sustainable harvest of forest products (and/or working the land for agricultural production by using rotational grazing, crop production, etc.). Consider access and/or development of "properly scaled value-added industries [and] businesses" for local forest products (Berry 1995, 19) be they timber-related or non-timber products (refer to Utilizing Economic Values below).

Maintaining Health, Safety & Welfare

• Identify potential hazards and wisely account for these safety concerns (fire hazards; sinkholes; unstable slopes; floodways/floodplains; etc.).
• Assess the availability of water for fire protection and other emergency needs.
• Prepare a community emergency preparedness plan for known hazards.
• Provide VDOF "firewise" yard-and-property information for use by each resident to address recommended practices for buildings and landscaping.
• Identify the source(s), quantity, quality, and cost for access/treatment/filtration. Evaluate the costs and benefits of using individual private wells versus a neighborhood or community water supply system. Insure that high-quality potable water can be consistently made available to residents over the long-term. Ask: If private wells are proposed, how will we insure the long-term availability of high-quality potable water?
• Assess the effect of existing and future wastewater treatment systems on local water supplies (including surface and groundwater systems).

Providing for Aesthetics & Recreation

• Conserve some forestland for recreational and educational activities. Provide opportunities for regular and meaningful interactions with diverse and dynamic forest environments.
• Conserve forestland for viewshed protection. Avoid developing ridgecrests to protect views to and from ridgetops (particulalry where ridgelines meet mountain slopes).
• Minimize exterior lighting sources that direct light upwards to allow enjoyment of the dark night-sky. Use downward-pointing, low wattage lighting.
  

Utilizing Economic Values of Timber and Non-Timber Resources

• Conserve timber and non-timber forestland resources for economic values. Encourage long-term natural capital improvements; discourage short-term economic high-grading in forestry.
• Describe the non-consumptive forest values associated with the property proposed for residential development by type and importance to residents and others.
• Allow for removal and use of wood products (timber and firewood) in a manner that preserves the integrity of the forest, ecologically and economically. As appropriate, allow for the removal and use of non-timber products (including plants and animals). Encourage employment and other opportunities for local residents related to the harvesting of forest products.

Closing thoughts for landowners and developers considering development in forestland settings:

Learn what the land can sustain and how you and future residents can retain its integrity over the long-term. Create your development with the specific goal of sustaining viable forestland habitat, while minimizing negative impacts on and off the site.

Citations:
Berry, Wendell. 1995. Another Turn of the Crank. Washington, DC: Counterpoint.

Dramstad, W.E., J.D. Olson & R.T.T. Forman. 1996. Landscape Ecology Principles in Landscape Architecture and Land-Use Planning. Washington, DC: Harvard University Graduate School of Design, Island Press and American Society of Landscape Architects.

Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). 2002. Virginia's Forestry Best Management Practices for Water Quality, Fourth Edition. Charlottesville, VA: VDOF.