notice of intent · danny and vera soles box 85 fort nelson, bc voc 1ro phone: (250) 233-20 12 fax:...

October 6,2006

Commissioner Provincial Agricultural Land Commission 133-4949 Canada Way Burnaby, BC V5G 4K6 . .

Dear Commissioner,

Please find attached to this letter the required Notice of Intent and documentation for a project involving the use of wood waste as a soil conditioner on agricultural land near Fort Nelson, British Columbia. Additionally, a technical report with site specific information, photographs and maps has been included for your review. Further, we have provided the same report and information to the Ministry of Environment, in an application under the Environmental Management Act.

This project is the culmination of the agricultural landowners' desire to improve the soils within his private land, and the desire of a local sawmill to contribute positively to the local community, while dealing with their wood by-products in an environmentally responsible manner. We believe that this project will satisfy these expectations.

I understand that there is generally a 60 day review period required by your commission. However, we are hoping to apply the sawdust and woodchip materials to the land, in the prescribed manner, before the ground freezes, as the farmer/landowner is hoping to reduce the amount of time that the deposition area is out of production.

If you require any m e r information, have questions, or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact either myself, or the landowner (Danny Soles).

Sincerely,

Aaron Weaver, RPF Operations Forester Geoterra Integrated Resource Systems Ltd. aweaver@e;eoterra.net (250) 233-8745 Office

P.O. Box 54174 L W . 1562 Lonrdale Arenue, North Va~ower. BC WM 3L5 PRIKT CLWIOE m W 1 KellMer Road. ~r(nc.&eorgc. BCV2L 558 Phone (250) 561-1063 Far (250) 614iD63 Emall: [email protected] FORT rrnsOn (2W) 2336745

NOTICE OF INTENT Under the Agricultural Land Reserve Use, Subdivision and Procedure Regulation

0 To Remove Soil for a Specified Farm Use 0 To Remove Soil for a Specified Non-farm Use

0 To Place Fill for a Specified Farm Use To Place Fill for a Specified Non-fann Use

Note: The information required by this form and the documents youprovide with i f are collected toprocess aproposal under the Agricultural Land Commission Act and regulation. This irformation will be available for review by any member of thepublic. If you have any quo~tiom about the collection or use oflhis information. please contacf the Agricultural Land Commission.

owns Danny and Vera Soles Agent Geoterra Integrated Resource Systems Ltd

Addnss . .

Address Box. 05 P.O. Box 3852. Fort ~elson.' BC

Fort Nelson, BC

Postal Code VOC 1 RO postal code 'OC ' R0

Telephone (2501233-201 2 Telephone (250) 233-8745

Fax (250) 774-1024 F~~ (250) 233-8745

Local Govenunent: Northern Rockies Regional District - Fort Nelson, BC

~ i ~ l ~ ~ ~ ~ b ~ ~ ( ~ ) of property: Peace River District Lot 3375 size of property: 140.6 ha

Civic ofPropcrty: 3375 McConachie Creek Rd

Current Use of Property: Hay Production and Active Livestock Pasture

Adjmcnt Uses: North Agdcultural - hay ~roductionl~asture East Forested - Agricultural Lease

South Agricultural - hay productionlpasture west AgriculturaVResidential

Type of Extrmtionfiill Material: . Wood Chips and Sawdust

\iolumc: approximately 8000 cubic metres Depth: 0.05 to 0.10 metres

Total Project Area: 21 hectares Dyation of Project: 15 months

Proposed Reclamation Measures: See attached report under section heading: "Deposition Plan" Reclamation will include: tilling and mixing the wood well into the soil, and seed the land back to clover

and other hay crop species.

hupose of Project: To use locally produced and partially cornposted wood chips and sawdust as a soil

conditioner to improve the soil physical charactistics and to provide a long term organic matter source

within the soil

Has a Professional Agrologist reviewed the project and provided a written report? a Yes (If yes, please attach a copy of the report)

Declaration and Consent: h e consent to the usc of the information provided in this notice and all supporting documents. Furthermore, Ywc &tam that the information ie to the beat of myfour howledge, tuc and correct. Ywe understand that the Agricultural Land Comrnbsion will take the neocssary rtcpa to wnfirm the noourmy of the information and documents pmvidcd.

p a $ Print Name

Notice of lntent MOJ

~ L S H COLUM U N D TITLE ACT

STATE OF TITLE CERTIFICATE DENNISSE E CUTTS PO BOX 1 5 9 9 FORT NELSON BC VOC 1RO

YOUR F I L E NUMBER1 1 7 4 4 JON

LAND T I T L E D ISTRICT1 PRINCE QEOROE, B R I T I S H COLUHBIA

CERTIFICATE NO: STCOO053851 : . TITLE NO: BV506488 . .

TH IS I S TO CERTIFY THAT AT 1 0 : 1 4 ON 0 7 FEBRUARY, 2004, THE STATE OF THE T I T L E TO THE LAND DESCRIBED HEREIN I S AS STATED AND I S SUBJECT TO THE NOTATIONS APPEARIN0 BELOW. TH IS CERTIFICATE I S TO BE READ SUBJECT TO THE PROVISIONS OF SECTION 23(2) OF THE LAND T I T L E ACT (R.S.B.C. 1 9 9 6 CHAPTER 250) AND MAY BE AFFECTED BY SECTIONS 5 0 AND 5 5 - 5 8 OF THE LAND ACT (R.S.B.C. 1 9 9 6 CHAPTER 245).

APPLICATION FOR REGISTRATION RECEIVED ON1 0 3 ENTERED: 0 5

REQISTERED OWNER I N FEE SIMPLE1 DANIEL JOSEPH SOLES, FARMER VERA SOLES, HOMEMAKER BOX 85 FORT NELSON, BC VOC 1RO

AS JOINT TENANTS

DECEMBER JANUARY,

TAXATION AUTHORITY: PEACE RIVER ASSESSMENT D ISTRICT

DESCRIPTION OF LAND1 PARCEL IDENTIF IERI 024 -825 -816 DISTRICT LOT 3 3 7 5 PEACE RIVER DISTRICT

LEGAL NOTATIONS: THIS T I T L E MAY BE AFFECTED BY THE AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE ACT, SEE AGRICULTURAL LAND RESERVE PLAN 2 1 6 0 8

CHAROES, L IENS AND INTERESTS8 NATURE OF CHARGE

CHARBE NUMBER DATE T IME

UNDERSURFACE AND OTHER EXC 6 RES PPZ6607 2000 -08 -01 l l r 3 8

REOISTERED OWNER OF CHARBE THE CROWN I N RIBHT OF B R I T I S H COLUMBIA

PP26607 REMARKS1 SECTION 5 0 LAND ACT

MORTBAGE BV506490 2 0 0 5 - 1 2 - 0 5 1 1 1 2 2

REOISTERED OWNER OF CHARQE CANADIAN IMPERIAL BANK OF COMMERCE

BV506490 REMARKSI INTER A L I A

DUPLICATE INDEFEASIBLE T I T L E 1 NONE OUTSTANDIN0

TRANSFERS1 NONE

PENDING APPLICATIONSi NOME

Danny and Vera Soles Box 85 Fort Nelson, BC VOC IRO

*

September 30,2006.

Preliminary Assessment of the Potential of Wood Waste Use as a Soil Conditioner in Agricultural Applications in Fort Nelson, British

Columbia

Report Compiled For:

Danny and Vera Soles Muskwa Forest Products Inc.

Report Compiled By:

Aaron Weaver, RPF Operations Forester. Geoterra Integrated Resource Systems Ltd.

Report Contributers:

Chad Seigel, P.Ag

Martin Cousineau. .General Manager. Geoterra Integrated Resource Systems Ltd.

Location and Contact Information:

Wood Residue Producer: Muskwa Forest Products Incorporated District Lot 4039 Chopsticks Factory Road (Physical Location) BC Rail Industrial Site Fort Nelson, BC. VOC 1RO

. . Contact: Dan Nicholson Company Director Phone: (250) 233-8745 Fax: (250) 233-8745

Receiving Site: Peace River District Lot 3375 Mapsheet: 094.587 Lat/Long: 58 53' 10" N, 122 39' 36" W McConachie Creek Road Fort Nelson, BC

Land Owner: Danny and Vera Soles Box 85 Fort Nelson, BC VOC 1RO Phone: (250) 233-20 12 Fax: (250) 774- 1024

Consultant Contact: Aaron Weaver, RPF Operations Forester Geoterra Integrated Resource Systems Limited Fort Nelson Field Office P.O. Box 1352 Fort Nelson, BC VOC 1RO Phone: (250) 233-8745 Cell: (250) 6 13-6685 Fax: (250) 233-8745

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO. 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, Notth Vancouver, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE.1301 Kelliher Road. PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax (250) 614-1063 Emdl: [email protected]

FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745

Background Information:

During the summer of 2006, Muskwa Forest Products was incorporated and set out to revitalize the lumber mill and mill yard that was formerly known as the Four Rivers Sawmill. The lumber mill is small in size, with a production capacity of approximately 20,000 board feet per day. Previous owners

. of the mill had operated.on the site for approximately nine years, milling a mixture of local tree species - Spruce, Aspen, and Cottonwood. During this time, wood wastes and residues (wood chips, sawdust, and logyard fines) from the mill were largely allowed to accumulate on the site. It is not known what, if any, methods the previous owners used to disposed of the wood residues and waste. However, a wood chip loading station had been set up, and a chip hauling truck was on site.

Currently there is approximately 8,000 cubic metres of decaying wood chips and sawdust being stored at the Muskwa Forest Products mill site. The large majority of the waste pile has been decaying on site for 2 to 4 years.

When Muskwa Forest Products Inc. reopened the site, a commitment was made that the mill, and the products that it produced would positively contribute to the local community, while conserving and enhancing the natural resources that the company and the community rely upon. In this vein, an innovative method of wood residue use is being sought.

Use of wood wastes and residues within the province usually fall under four broad categories: 1) Chips and sawdust are transported to facilities for pulping or further manufacturing. 2) Chips and sawdusts are incinerated in specialized and permitted burners, usually located at the sawmill site. 3) Chips, sawdust, and logyard fines are composted and sold for landscapinglgarden mulches and soil conditioners. 4) Chips, sawdust and other wood wastes are deposited in landfill sites. Within the local community of Fort Nelson there are only limited options for wood residue use, recycling or disposal. Currently, access to a pulpmill from Fort Nelson is not economically available and the provincial government is not issuing new burner permits. Commercial use of landfills is prohibitively expensive and denies any value that the wood might otherwise have. The only remaining viable option seems to be recycling wood wastes through composting and utilizing the materials as a soil conditioner for agricultural applications.

Through contact with the local farming community, it was apparent that there is significant interest in using wood chips and sawdust as a soil conditioner and for long term enhancement of the generally poor soils within the agricultural lands surrounding Fort Nelson. This report will investigate the nature of wood waste that is currently being stored at the Muskwa Forest Products mill site; and propose a plan for the application of the decayed wood waste, as a soil conditioner to agricultural land on Peace River District Lot 3375.

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO. 1562 Londale Avenue, North Vancouver. BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE:I301 Kelliher Road, PrinceGeoae, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax: (250) 6141063 Email: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745

Properties - of Wood Waste and Residue Generated from Muskwa Forest Products Mill

Currently there is approximately 8000 cubic metres of decaying sawmill generated wood residue. This residue pile consists of mechanically chipped raw wood, sawdust, and logyard fines (bark and organic litter that accumulates around the log decks), that were generated as a by-product to the primary sawmilling process. Further, the residues originate from locally abundant tree species, such as spruce aspen, and cottonwood. The majority of particle sizes range from less than one millimeter to five centimeteri,'with an exceedingly small po;tion of the particles being greater than ten centimeters in. size. The residue pile has been accumulating at the site for the past four years. The majority of the waste is between two and fours years old, as the mill was not operational for the past two years.

llllustration 1: Lookinn west across the Muskwa Forest Products wood residue ~ i l e I

During the summer of 2006, forest professionals from Geoterra Integrated Resource Systems Limited collected samples from the residue pile for testing at the ALS Laboratory Group labs in Edmonton, Saskatoon, and Winnipeg. The full technical details of the chemical and physical analysis of the wood residue samples has been attached to this report as Appendix A (see data for sample ID MFP-1-wood chips). Additionally, forest professionals from Geoterra and a professional Agrologist visited the residue pile location to discuss and record physical properties of the wood.

P.O. BOX 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 315 PRINC€ GEORGE OFFlCL:1301 Kelliher Road, PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax (250) 614-1063 Email: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 2334745 , \ ,-\

/ ,I 4 3-

Visually, the residue pile is poorly to moderately decomposed. The pile seems to vary according to age - the older west end shows significant signs of decomposition, exhibiting a darker color and having components with a greasy texture(il1ustration 3). Further, the pile appears to vary in decomposition by depth. A thin outer crust shows little signs of decomposition other than sun-fade, while materials within the pile are a medium yellow-brown in color, soft, and very moist(i11ustration 2). Additionally, materials within the pile exhibit a mild earthy smell. Materials from the older west end of the pile have a distinctly sweet-earthy smell.

1 illustration 2: Wood chip sample from younger east end of residue pile

Temperatures within the pile can be described as surprisingly warm to the touch. Anecdotal and physical evidence exists showing that the pile has incompletely bumed in the past. Workers that were cleaning up the sawmill site, in the summer of 2005, reported extinguishing a fire, deep within the west end of the pile. The fire was reportedly spontaneous and short-lived. Never the less, distinct layers of charcoal and charred chips exist within the pile, probably indicating semi-frequent bums. Further, the elevated nature of temperatures within the pile indicate that the chips could most likely be classed as immature compost (Cooperband, 2002).

From the ALS Laboratory Group Analytical Report (Appendix A), it appears that these wood chips have notable properties such as a high carbon to nitrogen ratio, relatively high essential minerals

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE:1301 Kelliher Road, PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 5S8 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax: (250) 6141063 Email: [email protected] FORT NEWN: (250) 233-8745

concentrations (B, C1, Ca, K, Mg, Na, S04), and a low pH. These chemical attributes probably indicate that this wood residue can be classified as immature compost.

The wood chips are high in organic matter, with 40% of the sample being organic (as opposed to mineral or water). The density of the chips is 382 kg/m3, or roughly one half to one third the density of whole logs. Pathogen testing of the wood chips exhibited that E. Coli and Fecal Coliform levels in the wood chips are less than 3 MPNIgram.

1 illustration 3: Chip sample from the older west end of the Muskwa Forest Products residue oile. I

Wood Chips and Sawdust as a Soil Conditioner

Six species of trees dominate the productive forested landscapes surrounding Fort Nelson, British Columbia. Aspen and white spruce forests dominate the better drained sites, while the flood plains of the major water courses are usually dominated by cottonwood, white spruce, aspen, and paper birch (Delong et al., 1990). Corresponding to abundance, these same species are also the most commercially exploited in the region, and in natural forest ecosystems, provide the vast majority of the large woody

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFKEA301 Kelliher Road, PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Far: (250) 6141063 Email: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 2338745

organic matter that is cycled as nutrients between vegetation and soils. Further, the organic matter supplied by these tree species are likely fundamental in the maintenance of forest soil productivity. Additionally, animal and fluvial interactions with these same tree species seem to be important in land forming processes within the region. For example, suspended log jams consisting mainly of Cottonwood and spruce appear to be important in island forming processes within the major water courses of the Liard River watershed (Pers. Obs. 2006). A tree-animal land forming process, can be characterized by the actions of beavers within the aspen forests of the region, where dams constructed mainly of aspen and willow species, can convert productive forested land into saturated non-productive

.. land, and in time the process is reversed as the flooded areas fill with sediment and the dams degrade and drain(Pers. Obs. 2006). These examples highlight the obvious, and arguably, important connections between the local hydrology, vegetation, and soil and land forming processes. So the question remains: What happens to the productivity of forest soils(or former forested soils), when the organic inputs from native tree species are altered or cease?

Wood Leachates Over many years, investigators, both locally and internationally have tried to characterize some of the relationships between the decomposition of vegetation and the effects it has on soils. Of particular concern to the Muskwa Forest Products situation, is the relationship of aspen wood residue to the environment, as aspen is a major component of the wood source for the mill. Particularly, the higher production of phenolic compounds from aspen logs seems to be a concern to government organizations that approve of the use and disposal of these materials. Indeed, investigations involving the BC Ministry of Environment looked at the production of phenolic compounds from decked aspen logs and then related these phenolic compounds to a high mortality of Rainbow trout and aquatic Daphnia in laboratory situations(Tay1or et al., 1996; 2003). The same study concluded that Aspen leachate was significantly less toxic to plants, and that high concentrations of leachate were needed to inhibit algal growth and plant seed germination(Tay1or et al., 1996; 2003). It should be noted that this investigation involved field collection of leachate, but lethality testing was completed in vitro, and is most relevant to water saturated and aquatic environments. Taylor et a1.(1996; 2003) did not investigate the impacts of soil biota and soil chemistry on aspen leachate sorption.

Studies have shown that late successional boreal plant communities are abundant with polyphenolic rich plants(in Berglund, 2004). Further, these studies show that phenolic compounds are an important regulator of organic nitrogen(N) release. Northup et a1.(1998) suggested that in infertile ecosystems polyphenols acted to capture mineral N as organic N, resulting in reduced nutrient pool loses. Further, phenols have been implicated as a catalyst for phosphorus release within forest soils. Wallstedt et a1.(2000; in Beglund, 2004) explains that when the polyphenol compounds have entered the soil they can either be degraded or mineralized as a carbon source by microorganisms, form complexes with proteins or metals, be adsorbed by clay particles or remain in the soil solution. Souto et a1.(2000) found that phenolic compounds that had been added to sterilized soils occurred at 90% of the original concentration after six days, while the same compounds in the same concentrations added to non- sterilized soil were completely used up after a six day period. Souto et a1.(2000) concluded that organisms within the non-sterilized soil were using the phenolic compounds as a carbon source. Conversely, Homer et al. (1988) found that protein-tannin complexes that can form in soils, were

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, Norlh Vancouver, BCV7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE:1301 Kelliher Road, PrinceGeorge, BCV2L 5S8 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax: (250) 614-1063 Ernail: [email protected] FORT NEWW: (250) 233-8745

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highly resistant to microbial decomposition, and that the mineralization of N decreased with increase complexation. It is apparent that as the phenol class is diverse, so to are the chemical and microbial responses to the various phenolic compounds and complexes.

Charcoal and activated carbon has been shown to act in the adsorption of phenolic compounds(Picco1o et al. 1999; in Berlund, 2004). Further, the author suggested that the phenolic compounds were adsorbed and neutralized, probably through a process of chemical condensation(Picco1o et al. 1999; in Berlund, 2004). Additionally, the adsorption capabilities were optimal within a pH range of 3-6 (Riviera-Utrilla et al. 2001, inBerglund, 2004). The adsorption capabilities of carbon and charcoal , ..

depend greatly on the nature of formation, species of wood and temperature at which it was created.

It can be argued that the wood residue in the form of decomposing chips, sawdust, and fines has components that in vitro, may be harmful or toxic, but in vivo these same compounds may be neutralized or consumed within the soil. Further, these natural compounds may play a critical role in effective nutrient cycling between vegetation, soils, and soil microbiota in the Fort Nelson area. In fact many benefits may be realized by the addition of organics to the generally poor soils in the area.

Benefits of Wood as a Compost and Soil Conditioner The practice of adding organic matter to mineral soils to improve(condition) physical and chemical characteristics, probably dates back to biblical times (Cooperband, 2002). Indeed, Cooperband (2002) states that:

"Compost is an organic matter source with a unique ability to improve the chemical, physical, and biological characteristics of soils. It improves water retention in sandy soils and promotes soil structure in clayey soils by increasing the stability of soil aggregates. Adding compost to soil increases soil fertility and cation exchange capacity and can reduce fertilizer requirements up to 50%. Soil becomes microbially active and more suppressive to soil-borne and foliar pathogens. Enhanced microbial activity also accelerates the breakdown of pesticides and other synthetic organic compounds. Conipost amendments reduce the bioavailability of heavy metals-an important quality in the remediation of contaminated soils."

Cooperband (2002) suggests that immature compost should only be used as a soil amendment, and should be applied to the field a few months before seeding is scheduled.

Locally relevant experiments by Sanbom et a1.(2004), involving the addition of raw wood chips to compacted forest soils, highlight the benefits of bulky organic matter additions to improving the critical physical properties of fine textured soils in the interior of British Columbia. Further, Sanbom et a1.(2004), showed significant improvements to health and vigor of spruce seedlings planted on wood chip amended compact fine textured luvisolic soils, when compared to unamended soils at the same site. Sanborn et a1.(2004), concluded that it was likely that plant growth within these fine textured soils was more limited by soil physical properties, such as soil bulk density, than any other factor. The wood chip amendments significantly decreased bulk density. Additionally, Sanborn et a1.(2004) suggested that the addition of nitrogen fixing herbaceous species (clover and Alder spp.) could help reduce nutrient limitations within the application site. The Sanborn et al.(2004) paper has been

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue. North Vancower, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE 0FFICE:lJOl Kelliher Road, PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax (250) 6141063 Email: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745

included in this report as Appendix B.

Woody and Organic Debris Recruitment Within aspen dominated natural forest land of the boreal forest, above-ground woody debris provides important nutrients needed to sustain productivity of the in-situ soils. These debris are generally in the form of leaves, branches, stems, and bark fragments, all in various sizes depending on the species and age of the vegetation. These materials are generally decomposed above the soil matrix, then leach into the soil or are physically mixed into the matrix by soil fauna. Below the ground woody inputs come from sources such as roots. and root hairs, which can penetrate deep within the soil layers and are .

.

generally decomposed within the soil matrix.

Commonly collected resource inventory data is useful for predicting the amount of large woody debris that is available for decomposition. Timber Cruise and Vegetation Resource Inventories account for much of this available data. However, these inventory techniques are not good at accounting for such attributes as downed non-merchantable logs. Therefore, available data for this component generally comes from a small amount of relavent academic research.

From personal observations (2006) during a timber cruise on the adjacent lot to the receiving site, it was noted that there were approximately 150-200 stems per hectare of standing dead timber. However, there was probably 2 or three times that amount of recognizable timber lying on the ground throughout the stand. From these observations, the total volume of dead timber within that stand could be as high as 240 m3 per hectare(based on an average piece size of 0.3 m3 per tree). Scientific investigations confirm these observations. Hely et al. (2000) showed that snag volumes in aspen stands of the Southeastern Boreal forest (Ontario) ranged from approximately 0-450 m3 per hectare in stands of ages between 150 and 200 years. Similarly, investigations in the boreal aspen stands of Alberta showed an average snag volume range of 109 to 124 m3 per hectare (Lee et al. 1997; in Hely et al. 2000). In all cases, the small woody debris volumes within the stands are not reported, but are likely significant. Not including the small woody debris, if dead and down large woody debris was chipped, the density would decrease by a factor of 3. Using the personal observation example, 240 m3/ha of solid moist wood may be equivalent to 720 m3/ha of chips.

Receivinp - Site Attributes

Currently DL #3375 is accessible from two locations. The first location is direct access from 9km on the McConachie Creek Road, this includes a gated approach leading directly into a pasture. The second location is a private access road that starts in DL#3374.

Ecosystem The lot is an upland site, 90 percent of which is under cultivation for hay crops or is active pasture. The remaining 10 percent includes the access trail and second growth deciduous forest regrowing along a seasonal drainage and within areas that are prohibitively steep for cultivation(Illustration 4). There are two small areas within the parcel that were never cleared. The site is within the Boreal White and

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonpdele Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE1301 Kelliher Road, PlinceGeorge. BC V2L 5S8 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Far: (250) 6141063 Email: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745 7

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Black Spruce (BWBS) zone, and moist warm(mw2) sub-zone. The site series is 01$~00130, based on adjacent forest vegetation and site topography.

1 ~llustration 4: Lookinn east across DL#3375 I

Topography and Soils Topography within the lot is variable. Essentially, there are two gently sloped ridges that are bisected by a short valley and a seasonal drainage. The elevation of the lot ranges from 430m to 470m. The ridges have a variable aspect, and slopes range from 0 to 25 percent. The average slope throughout DL #3375 is approximately 8 percent. Soils vary, depending on location within the lot. Soils can be generally described as a compact light gray silt-loam, over topping a heavier clay loam. Sandy-loam soils are scattered in the area. Visually, soil horizons are similar throughout the lot, having a distinct Ae horizon over topping a Bf soil horizon(Il1ustration 5). Due to clearing and cultivation activities, humic layers are almost non-existent. Throughout the cultivated areas, compacted lenses of silts and clays are very apparent in the upper layer of the mineral soil. Vegetation on these soils can be described as sparse(Il1ustration 6). Generally, there is 0.4 to 1.5m of mineral soil covering the bed rock at this location.

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE:1301 Kelllher Road, PrinceCeorge, BC V2L 5S8 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax (250) 614-1063 Email: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745

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llllustration 5: Soil pit showing distinct Ae and Bf horizons 1 Watercourses and Riparian Features Watercourses and water sources within DL#3375 are minimal. Field visits verified that only one classifiable watercourse exists within the lot, that could be impacted by soil conditioning activities. This watercourse starts as an non-classified drainage, just upslope of the lot, but changes to a classifiable stream once in the lot. Within this reach there are no obvious fisheries values and stream appears to have been altered during land clearing activities. During field visits in early May, 2006 the watercourse was wet, but not flowing. During subsequent visits to the site in August and again in September 2006, the stream bed was completely dry. This stream lacks any obvious fish supporting structures like pools, riffles, or even sufficient and sustained flow. However, the watercourse does drain directly into the Fort Nelson River, some nine kilometers down stream of the property, and there is no available fish inventory data for this watershed. Further, the watercourse travels through approximately 3 kilometers of muskeg wetlands where the actual watercourse becomes

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO. 1562 Londale Avenue. North Vancouver, BCV7M 315 PRINCE QCORGC OFFlCE:I301 Kelliher Road, PllnceGeorge. BC VZL 588 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Far (250) 6141063 Email: [email protected] FORT N E W . (250) 233-8745

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obscured(during orthophoto analysis).

Other water sources on the property include a spring-fed (as reported by the landowner) man-made livestock watering reservoir. This reservoir is located at the toe of the slope, on the west side of the main watercourse. The reservoir appeared full during field visits in August and September of 2006, and livestock were actively using it at that time.

Weather and Climate Climate normals for the Fort Nelson area have been derived from data provided by the Environment .

~anada'we'ather Office (data available frdm ht~://~limate.weather0'f~iceeec.~c.cd1imate riormals). .

The data is a compilation of weather information collected at the Fort Nelson Airport between the years197 1 and 2000. The site is approximately 10 kilometers north of the Fort Nelson Airport, and so the weather data will be relevant for DL#3375. The climate data shows that Fort Nelson receives approximately 320mm of annual rainfall and 178cm of annual snowfall, with total precipitation being around 452 mmlyear. During the ice free months, the average number of days per month where greater than 5 mm of rain falls, is 2.7. The yearly daily temperature average is -0.7 "C, with the average daily high being 5 "C and an average daily low of -6.5 "C. Average daily wind speed is 6.5 kmlhour, and winds are generally from the northwest or south.

Site Suitability Due to the site, soil, and vegetation characteristics described above, this lot is nearly ideal for applications of an organic soil conditioner. In fact, the site and soil conditions may be quite similar to conditions that were found in the Sanborn et a1.(2004) investigations. Certainly, this land has endured repeated compaction events, including during harvesting, clearing, and cultivation activities. Renlediation of the soils is key to the ability of this site to support agricultural crop production and livestock pasturing.

The best suited area within the lot for soil conditioning activities occurs directly adjacent to the McConachie Creek Road(see maps attached as Appendix C). This 21 hectare area is level to gently sloped (0-6%), with an area of two sharp parallel ridges that would be ideally converted into a storage, mixing, and loading location. Additionally, this area is separated from the nearest watercourse by a minimum of 200 meters of cultivated and forested land. Further, this area is nearly 300 meters from the small man-made livestock watering reservoir.

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonulale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 315 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE:1301 Kelliher Road, Prince-George. BC V2L 5S8 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax (250) 614-1063 Email: [email protected] FORT NEISON: (250) 2338745

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Illlustration 6:sPar;e vegetation on soils within the cultivated areas of DM3375

Deposition Plan

The primary deposition area will be located on the west end of district lot #3375. This area is a level to gently sloping area(0-6%), that is sufficient in size to provide a storage area, and to provide enough area for spreading and tilling the residue materials(see maps attached as Appendix C). In terms of site preparation, a storage location should be prepared. Where possible clay soils should be pushed up into a berm on the down-slope side of the storage area. This berm should be compacted and consolidated to ensure that it provides an effective run-off barrier around the storage area. The upslope portion of the storage area should remain unobstructed to allow for vehicle and equipment passage.

Because the wood residue is immature compost in nature, it should be spread and tilled well in advance of seeding, to allow for further decomposition within the soil matrix. The recommended lag time between spreadingltilling and seeding is 2 months. The compost should be spread at a maximum rate of 1000 m3/ha (loose chips), this is equivalent to spreading the chips to a 10 cm depth across one hectare of land. Spreading activities should not commence during frozen ground conditions, for obvious reasons. Tilling activities should target a minimum depth of 30 cm to ensure that chips are worked well into the soil matrix, and to increase the exposure of the chips to the deeper clayey soils.

- - - -

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Londale Avenue, North Vancower. BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE 0FFICE:WOI Kelllher Road, PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Far: (250) 614-1063 Email: [email protected]& FORl NELSON: (250) 233.8745

13

Seeding of the site to nitrogen fixing clover species is planned following the cultivation activities.

If wood residue materials are stored at the site, then ideally, they should be stored in long low piles or windrows. This piling technique allows for maximum exposure to oxygen, while maintaining the pile mass needed to sustain higher than ambient internal temperatures. Cooperband (2002) is an excellent reference for compost management. Piles should be turned often to allow for aeration of all materials within the pile. Monitoring of the piles is essential in determining when the compost requires aeration, and when the compost has matured, and is ready for a land application.

. .

References

Berglund, L. 2004. Disturbance, nutrient availability and plant growth in phenol-rich plant communities. Doctoral thesis. Silvestria 327. ISSN 1401-6230, ISBN 91-576-67 11-X. Available online at: http~/diss-eusilon.slu.se/archive/00000638/01/AVHandlina.Linda.~df.

Cooperband, L. 2002. The Art and Science of Composting - A Resource for Fanners and Compost Producers. pp. 1-14. Center For Integrated Agricultural Systems. University of Wisconsin-Madison. Available online at: http:Nwww.cias.wisc.edu/archives/2002/03/0l/the art and science of compostinn/index.php

DeLong, C., MacKinnonn, A., and Jang, L. 1990. Afield guide for identification and intevretation of ecosystems of the northeast portion of the Prince George Forest Region - Land Management Handbook 22. Research Branch. British Columbia Ministry of Forests. pp. 10

Hely, C., Bergeron, Y., Flannigan, M.D. 2000. Coarse woody debris in the southeastern Canadian boreal forest: composition and load variations in relation to stand replacement. Can. J. For. Res. 30: 674-687

Homer, J.D., Gosz, J.R. & Cates, R.G. 1988. The role of carbon-based plant secondary metabolites in decomposition in terrestrial ecosystems. American Naturalist 132 (6): 869-883.

Lee, P.C., Crites, S ., Nietfeld, M., Van Nguyen, H., and Stelfox, J.B. 1997. Characteristics and origins of deadwood material in aspen-dominated boreal forests. Ecol. Appl. 7: 69 1-701.

Northup, R., Dahlgren, R.A. & McColl, J.G. 1998. Polyphenols as regulators of plant-litter soil interactions in northern California's pygmy forest: A positive feed-back? Biogeochemistry 42, 189-220

Piccolo, A., Spaccini, R., Haberhauer, G., Gerzabek, M.H., 1999. Increased sequestration of organic carbon in soil by hydrophobic protection. Naturwissenschaften 86,496-499

Riviera-Utrilla, J., Bautista-Toledo, I., Ferro-Garcia, M.A. & Moreno-Castillo, C. 200 1. Activated

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue. Nolth Vancouver, BC V7M 315 PRINCE GEORGE OFn#:1301 Kelliher Road, PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax: (250) 614-1063 Email: admlngle0tena.net FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745

carbon surface modifications by adsorption of bacteria and their effect on aqueous lead adsorption. Journal of Chemical Technology and biotechnology 76, 1209- 121 5.

Souto, C.X. Chiapusio, G. & Pellissier F. 2000. Relationship between phenolics and soil microorganisms in spruce forests; significance for natural regeneration. Journal of chemical ecology 26,2025-2034.

Sanborn,, P., Blumer, C., Coopersmith, D. 2004. Use of Wood Waste in Rehabilitation of Landings Constructed on Fine Textured Soils,. Central . . Interior British Columbia, Caiada. West. J. Appl. For.

: 19(3):175-183.

Taylor, N., Carmichael, N.B., Goudey, J.S. 1996. Toxicity and Chemistry of Aspen Wood Leachate to Aquatic Life: Laboratory Studies. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 15, No. 2, pp. 150- 159

Taylor, N., Carmichael, N.B. 2003. Toxicity and Chemistry of Aspen Wood Leachate to Aquatic Life: Field Study. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, Vol. 22, No. 9, pp. 2048-2056

Wallstedt, A., Nilsson, M-C., Zackrisson 0. & Odham, G. 2000. A link in the study of chemical interference exerted by Empetrum hermaphroditum: Quantification of Batatasin I11 in soil solution. Journal of Chemical Ecology 26, 13 1 1- 1323.

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFlCE:1301 Kdliher Road, PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax: (250) 614-1063 Email: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745 /':

Administration: -

Aaron Weaver, RPF.

September 21,2006

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO. 1562 Lonsdale Avenue. Novth Vancouver, BC VIM 3L5 PF3NCE GEORGE O f m . 1 3 0 1 Kelliher Read, Prince-George, BC V2L SSB Phom (250) 561-1063 Fax: (250) 614-1063 Emall: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745

Appendix A

Laboratory Test Results

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, North Vancouver, BC V7M 315 PRINCE GEORGE 0FFICE:WOl Kelliher Road, Prince-George, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Far (250) 6141063 Email: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745

ALS Laboratory Graup ANAILYTICAl CHEMISTRY & T E S T I N G SERVICES

Reported On: 16-AUG-06 04:36 PM Revision: 1

Geoterra IRS Ltd 54174 1562 LONGDALE AVE.

NORTH VANCOUVER BC VOC 1RO

Project P.O. #: MFP Job Reference: GEOTERRA IRS LTD

Legal Site Desc:

CofC Numbers: 33109

Other Information:

Comments:

ROY JONES 9 7

General Manager

For any questions about this report please contact your Account Manager:

ERIN ANDERSON

THIS REPORT SHALL NOT BE REPRODUCED EXCEPT IN FULL WITHOUT THE WRllTEN AUTHORIM OFTHE LABORATORY. ALL SAMPLES WlLL BE DISPOSED OF AFER 30 DAYS FOLLOWING ANALYSIS. PLEASE COKTACT THE LAB IF YOU REQUIRE ADDITIONAL SAMPLE STORAGE TIME.

IZTL Chemrpec Analqtlcal Ud. Part dthe ALX Labaraterq Group

993647 Avenue, Edmonton, A6 T6E OP5 Phone: +1780 413 5227 Fax: + I 780 437 2311 www.alsglobal.com

A Campbell Wr~thsrr bmrtsd Company Now pe~I ofthe ALS Laboratory Gmup

- . . . - - . . . . . . - PAGE 2 of 5

ALS LABORATORY GROUP ANALYTICAL REPORT

404281-1 MFP-1 (WOOD CHIPS)

Sampled By: D. NICHOLSON on 21-JUN-06 @ 14:OO

latrix: WOOD CHIPS Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio on Totals

C:N Ratio

Total Carbon by Combustion

Total Nitrogen by LECO

Ammonia as,N .'

Boron (B), Hot Water Ext.

Conductivity (EC)

Escherichia Coli

Fecal Colifom

Organic Matter (LOI)

Nitrated in biocompost - calc to 70C Nitrate-N Nitrate-N

Orthop hosphate (P04-P)

Specific Gravity

Total Coliform

Total Solids and Moisture at 70C Moisture Total Solids

pH Detailed Salinity

Chloride (CI)

SAR Calcium (Ca) Potassium (K) Magnesium (Mg) Sodium (Na)

SAR

Sulphate (S04)

pH and EC (Saturated Paste) % Saturation pH in Saturated Paste Conductivity Sat. Paste

404281-2 MFP-2 (SOIL)

ampled By: D. NICHOLSON on 22-JUN-06 @ 14

datrix: SOIL Carbon-to-Nitrogen Ratio

C:N Ratio

InorglOrg Carbon calc needs C-TOTIECO Inorganic Carbon Total Organic Carbon

Total Carbon by Combustion

Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen

Escherichia Coli

Fecal Coliform

Nitrate, Nitrite and Nitrate+Nitrite-N Nitrate-N Niiite-N Ntrate+Nitrite-N

Organic Matter -

mg/kg

mgkg mS1cm

MPNlgram

MPNlgram

%

% %

mglL

kg1L

MPNlgram

mglL mglL rnglL

1 mglL

, SAR

mglL

MPNlgram

MPNlgram

rnglkg 01 JUL-06 01-JUL-06 mgkg 01-JUL-06 01-JUL- rnglkg 01 JUL-06 01-JUL-06

% SJUN"30-JUN-lX

HSL R418776

HSL R419263

. NLM R418830

RJS R418693

JMD R418820

RMI R415669

RMI R415668

BFE R419822

NLM R418821 NLM R418821

WYA R415580

SR R415987

RMI R415734

JMD R418612 JMD R418612

JMD R418820

WYA R415223

EOC R415566 EOC R415566 EOC R415566 EOC R415566 EOC R415566

EOC R415566

ANT R415201 ANT R415201

HSL R416018

JRB R415176

RMI R415669

RMI R415668

of 5

ALS LABORATORY GROUP ANALYTICAL REPORT

5

1 1 1

0.001 3

0.1

0.02

0.4

1 2

2

0.1 0.01

20

5 2 3 2

6

0.1 0.1 0.01

)ri ethodolog 1.

-404281-2 MFP-2 (SOIL)

Sampled By: D. NICHOLSON on 22-JUN-06 @ 14:OO

Watrix: SOIL

Orthophosphate (P04-P)

Particle Size -Hydrometer % Sand % Silt % Clay

. . ,Texture

33 43

2 5 Loam

1.667

93

KLR KLR

. KLR KLR

SR

RMI

Specific Gravity

Total Colilorm Available N,P,K ,S plus pH, EC(Ag) B BCu

Boron (B), Hot Water Ext. RJS

RJS

RAA Copper (Cu) Available Nitrate-N

Available Phosphate 8 Potassium Available Phosphate-P mglkg 30-JUN-06 30-JUN-06

mg/kg 30-JUN-06 30-JUN-06

mglkg 15-JUL-06 15-JUL-06

BFE BFE

RJS

Available Potassium

Available Sulfate-S

pH and EC 1:2 soil to water extration pH (1.2 soi1:water) Conductivity (1 :2)

Detailed Salinity Chloride (CI)

JML JML

WYA

SAR Calcium (Ca) Potassium (K)

mglL mglL mg/L . mg1L SAR

mglL

EOC EOC EOC EOC EOC

EOC

Magnesium (Mg) . Sodium (Na) SAR Sulphate (504)

pH and EC (Saturated Paste) % Saturation pH in Saturated Paste Conductiv'i Sat. Paste

Refer to Referenced Information for Q ~alifiers (if any) and

-.-.--. --...- .... PAGE 4 of 5

Reference Information

Methods Listed (if applicable):

ALS Test Code Matrix Test Description Preparation Method Reference(Based On) ~ n a l ~ t i c a i ~ e t h o d Reference(Based On) - -

B-HOTW-SK Soil Available Boron, Hot Water Methods of Soil Analysis (1996) SSSA

C-TOT-LECO-SK Soil Total Carbon by combustion SSSA (1996) - Combustion Instrument . .

Nelson, D.W. and Sommers. L.E. 199&?%P'carbon and organic matter. p 961-1010. In: J.M. Bartels et al. (ed.). Methods of Soil Analysis: Part 3 Chemical Methods. (3rd ed.) ASA and SSSA, Madison, WI. Book series no. 5.

The sample is introduced into a quartz tube where it undergoes combustion at 900' C in the presence of oxygen. Combustion gases are first carried through a catalyst bed in the bottom of the combustion tube, where oxidation is completed and then carried through a reducing agent (copper), where the nitrogen oxides are reduced to elemental nitrogen. This mixture of N2. C02, and H20 is then passed through an absorber column containing magnesium perchlorate to remove water. N2 and C02 gases arethen separated in a gas chromatographic column and detected by thermal conductivity. . .

. .

CL-SAR-ED Soil Chloride (CI) (Saturated Paste)

CU-DTPASK Soil Available Copper (Cu)

EC-1 :SSK Biocompost EC for biocompost (1 :5 slurry)

EC-MPN-WP Soil Escherichia Coli

ETL-C:N-RATIOSK Soil Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio

ETLG:N-RATIO-TOTSK Soil Carbon:Nitrogen Ratio (Total)

FC-MPN-WP Soil Fecal Coliform

APHA 4500 CI E-coiorimetry

DTPA - micronutrient extraction

TMECC 4.10-A

HPB MFHPB-19; MFO-I4

Calculation

Calculation

HPB MFHPB-19; MFO-14

LOI-550SK Biocompost Loss on Ignition 70C to 550 C TMECC 05.07-A

M.R. Carter (ed.). Soil Sampling and Methods of Analysis, Canadian Society of Soil Science (1993).p.461 8. 462. Lewis Publishers Ann Arbor, MI

MOISTdO-SK Biocompost Total Solids and Moisture at 70C TMECC 3.09-A

N-TOT-LECOSK Soil Total Nitrogen by combustion SSSA (1996) p. 973-974

Nelson, D.W. and Sommers, L.E. 19#?,hgP'~arbon, organic carbon and organic matter. P. 973-974 In: J.M. Bartels et al. (ed.) Methods of soil analysis: Part 3 Chemical methods. (3rd ed.) ASA and SSSA, Madison, W. Book series no. 5

N-TOTKJSK Soil Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (Organic CSSS 22.2-Titration N)

N2N3-AVAILSK Soil Nitrate. Nitrite and APHA 4500 N03F Nitrate+Nitrite-N

NH4-1:MK Biocompost Ammonia-N (1:5) - calc to 70C TMECC 4.026

N03-I :5-KCLSK Biocompost Nitrate-N in biocompost - calc to 70C

TMECC 4.02-8

N03AVAI L-SK Soil Available Nitrate-N CSSS 1993

OM-LOISK Soil Organic Matter by LO1 at 375 CSSS (1978) p. 160

McKeague, J.A., Manual on Soil ~arnp%I%d Methods of Analysis, Canadian Society of Soil Science, 2nd Edition, 1978, P. 160.

PH.EC-AGSK Soil pH and EC 1 :2 soil to water CSSS 16.3,18.3.1 - 1:2 water extract extratiin

PH-1 :%K Biocompost pH for biocompost (1:5 slurry) TMECC 4.116 POGAR-ED Soil Orthophosphate (P04-P) APHA 4500 PBE-Autocolorimetry

PO4lK-AVAILS K Soil Available Phosphate 8 Comm. Soil Sci. Plant Anal. 25 (5&6) Potassium

PSA-1SK Soil Particle Size - Hydrometer Forestry Canada (1991) p.4245.

Kalra, Y.P., Maynard, D.G. 1991. Methods manual for forest soil and plant anatysis. Forestry Canada. p. 42-45.

SARGALC-ED Soil SAR CSSS 18.4Calculation

SATIPHIEC-ED Soil pH and EC (Saturated Paste) CSSS 18.2,16.2, 18.3

S04-AVAI L-S K Soil Available Sulfates

SOMAR-ED Soil Sulfate (S04) in saturated paste

SPECGRAV-ED Soil Specific Gravity

NCR-13 (1998) p. 35-39

APHA 3120 B-ICP-OES

-.-.--. --...- .... PAGE 5 of 5

Reference Information

TC-MPN-WP Soil

" Laboratory Methods employed follow in-house procedures, which are generally based on nationally or internationally accepted methodologies.

- -- A -- ~

Chain of Custody numbers: -- --A

331 09

The last fwo letters of the above test code@) indicate the laboratory that performed analytical analysis for that test. Refer to the list below:

Laboratory Definition Code Laboratory Location Laboptory Definition Code . Laboratory Location --

E D ALS LABORATORY GROUP 1 SK ALS LABORATORY GROUP - EDMONTON, ALBERTA, CANADA SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN,

CANADA

WP ALS LABORATORY GROUP - WINNIPEG, MANITOBA, CANADA

GLOSSARY OF REPORT TERMS SUIT - A surrogate is an organic compound that is similar to the target analyte(s) in chemical composition and behavior but not normally detected in environmental samples. Prior to sample processing, samples are fortified with one or more surrogate compounds. The reported surrogate recovery value provides a measure of method efticiency. The Laboratory control limits are determined under column heading D. L. mglkg (units) - unit of concentration based on mass, parts per million. m a (units) - unit of concentration based on volume, parts per million. < - Less than. 0. L. - The reporting limit. N/A - Result not available. Refer to qualifier code and definition for explanation.

Test results re~orted relate onlv to the samoles as received bv the laboratorv UNLESS OTHERWISE STATED, A U SAMPLES WERE RECEIVED IN ACCEPTABLE CONDITION. UNLESS OTHERWSE STATED. SAMPLES ARE NOT CORRECTED FOR CLIENT FIELD BLANKS. Although test results are'generated under strict QNQC protocols, any unsigned test reports, faxes, or emails are considered preliminary.

ALS Laboratory Group has an extensive QNQC program where all analytical data reported is analyzed using approved referenced procedures followed by checks and reviews by senior managers and quality assurance personnel. However, since the results are obtained from chemical measurements and thus cannot be guaranteed, ALS Laboratory Group assumes no liability for the use or interpretation of the results.

of 1

ALS LABORATORY GROUP SOlL SALINITY CONVERSION L404281

Lab ID Sample

404281-1 MFP-1 Sample Date: 21-JUN-06

'Aatrix: WOOD CHIP!;

Chloride (CI)

julphate (S04)

Calcium (Ca)

'otassium (K)

..Aagnesium (Mg;

Sodium (Na)

"Calculations are a,; Methods of Analysis Homer D. Chapma University of Califo August, 1961 ."

Lab ID Sample --

L404281-2 MFP-2 (SOIL) Sample Date: 22-JUN-06

Matrix: SOIL

Chloride (CI)

Sulphate (S04)

Calcium (Ca) .

Potassium (K)

Magnesium (Mg:

Sodium (Na)

Dry Soil mglkg

100.6

80.7

642.4

827.0

356.5

14.0

PP

MeqlL

0.79

0.47

8.91 .

5.87

8.15

0.17

and Waters F'ratt

CI.

ID

(VbOOD CHIPS)

Result mgk

30

22

178. .

230

99

4

per: for So

I and -nia,

ID

Result mglL

<20

42

28 . . . 4

8

11

MeqA <0.56

0.88

. 1.38

0.10

0.66

0.49

% Sat

360

360

. 360 ..

360

360

360

Is, Plants; Parker F.

Riverside,

% Sat

36

36

36

36

36

36

Dry Soil mglkg

~ 7 . 2

15.1

16.0

1.4

2.9

4.1

Appendix B

Reference Material

P.O. Box 54174 LWPO. 1562 Lonsdale Avenue, Notth Vancouver, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE:1301 Kelliher Road, PrinceGeorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Fax (250) 6141063 Ernail: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-6745

Use of Wood Waste in Rehabilitation of Landings Constructed on Fine-Textured Soils, Central Interior British Columbia,

Canada

Paul Sanborn, Ecosystem Science and Management Program, University of Northern British Columbia, 3333 University Way, Prince George, BC, Canada V2N 429; Chuck Bulmer,. Kalamalka Research Station, BC Ministry of Forests, 3401 Reservoir .

Roarl, erno on, BC, Canada V1B 2C7; and Dave ~oo~ersmith, 6325 Chatham street, West Vancouver, BC, ~ a n a d a V7W 2E1.

ABSTRACT: Rehabilitation of temporary landings and roads constructed on jine-textured Alfisols must ameliorate poor soil structure, high bulk densities, and greatly reduced organic matter. A long-tern field experimer~t in the central interior of British Columbia (BC) was begun in I995 to compare soil properties and seedling growth on landings rehabilitated with three operationally feasible treatments: (1) incorporation of waste wood chips (140 tha, oven-dry basis), supplemented with 600 kg Nha; (2) subsoiling; and (3) shallow tillage combined with recovery and spreading of topsoil. After 4 years, soil bulk density at 7-14 cm depth was lowest in the chip incorporation treatment. Although total C, N, and S, and mineralizable N concentrations were highest in the topsoil recoven! treatment, the chip incorporation treatment had the highest 3-year growth rates of hybrid white spruce (Picea glauca X engelmannii). Foliar analyses indicated that macro- und micronutrient concentrations were generally adequate, with only S and Mg being of concern. Establishment of paper birch (Betula papyrifera) did riot succeed due to severe rodent damage to seedlings, perhaps encouraged by rapid and dense revegetation by seeded agronomic legumes. Silvicul- turists should consider treatments involving incorporation of chipped wood wastes, with appropriate supplementary N fertilization, in rehabilitation of access structures on fine-textured soils in the BC ceritral interior. West. J. Appl. For. 19(3):175-183.

Key Words: Hybrid white spruce, paper birch, soil nutrients, bulk density.

During the 1990s, soil conservation provisions of the of older landings and roads no longer needed for forest Forest Practices Code of British Columbia restricted the management purposes. These initiatives were supported by extent of access structures (e.g., roads, landings) and re- a network of research installations, established in the 1980s, quired rehabilitation of those not needed for permanent that tested and demonstrated simple tillage and soil handling access (Bulmer 1998). Simultaneously, new provincid pro- methods for operational soil rehabilitation (Can 1988). By

grams made large investlnents in rehabilitating the backlog the mid- 1990s. these trials and accumulated operational experience were sufficient to provide detailed practical guidance on soil rehabilitation methods to foresters in the

N m : Paul Sanborn can be reached at (250) 960-6661: Fax: (250) Forest Practices Code Soil Rehabilitation Guidebook (BC 960-5539; sanbomBunbc.ca. ~inancial supporl for this ~ i ~ i ~ t ~ ~ of ~~~~~t~ 1997). it^ these was provided by Forest Renewal BC (Project OP97075-RE). the prince G~~~~ F~~~~~ ~ ~ g i ~ ~ , and the ~ i ~ , ~ ~ ~ ~ of F~~~~~~ there remained site conditions and treatment options that Research Branch. We thank Mike Jull, Manager of the Alma had not been well-studied: (1) the rehabilitation of access . . Lake Research Forest, for his support of our work. and our contractors. collaborators. field assistants, and the Prince structures constructed on fine-textured soils, which are Gcoree Forest Disaid for their im~ortant assi-e. Wendy widespread in central intenor BC (Dawson 1989); and (2) . . ~ e r ~ & d and Peter Ott (Ministry of~orests Research ~ r a n c i ) the operational use of wood wastes and other organic soil provided stntistical advice, and Rob Brockley (Kalamalka Rc- search Station) assisted with interpretation of foliar amendments in forest soil rehabilitation (Bulmer 1998. San- data. Copyright 0 2004 by the Society of American Foresters. born et al. 1999).

.M

WJAF 19(3) 2004 175 : '

Recent evaluations of timber supply for thc Prince George Timber Supply Area estimated the amount of productive land to be lost to roads, landings, and trails as a result of existing and planned forest development in the coming decades at 170,197 ha or 4-5% of the landbase (BC Ministry of Forests 2001). Reclamation of those access structures that are only needed on a temporary basis is an obvious strategy to prevent or mitigate such losscs in growing site.

Operational rehabilitation of access structures on fine- textured soils has generally not been practiced in central interior BC and has not been recommended by Forest Dis- tricts, presumably due to limited experience and a lack of successful examples. Rehabilitation of degraded fine-textured soils is challenging becausc tillage may be only partly . effective (McNabb '1994) and becausc stable aggregate structures, requircd to ensure adequate watcr rctention and aeration in the root zone, arc closely associated with soil organic matter (Golchin et al. 1994), which may be lacking.

Organic amendments have the potential to incrcase soil organic matter levels (Vetterlein and Huttl 1999) and to improve plant growth (Schuman et al. 2000), but the results depend on the characteristics of the amendment. Paustian et al. (1990) showed that the increased soil organic matter on

long-tcrm plots amended with straw and sawdust was at- tributcd primarily to direct effects of the amendment, but indirect effects associated with improved plant growth also played a role. In the case of agricultural application of pulp mill sludge, crop yield was inversely related to the C:N ratio of the sludge (Vagstad et al. 2001). Hallsby (1995) showcd that mixed mounds containing chipped slash suppressed the growth of Norway spruce (Picea abies), compared to mixed mounds containing forest floor material. Plant growth was enhanced where fertilizer N was added along with the carbon-rich materials (Paustian et al. 1990).

To address knowledge gaps surrounding reclamation of fine-textured soils, we began a long-term field experiment in 1995 with the following objectives: ( I ) to tcst and compare operationally realistic methods (including the use of wood wastcs), for restoring productivity to landings constructed on fine-textured soils in the BC central interior; and (2) to assess the effects of these treatments on soil properties and tree growth.

Methods Study Area

The low-relief, undulating landscape of the 10,000 ha Aleza Lakc Research Forest (ALRF), 60 km E of Prince

Figure 1. Location of the Aleza Lake Research Forest, British Columbia.

176 WJAF 19(3) 2004

George (54O4' N, 122O5' W) (Figure l), is underlain largely by fine-textured glaciolacustrine deposits on which strongly developed Luvisolic soils (Alfisols) have formed. Similar parent materials occupy almost 25% of the 1.5 lnillion ha Prince George-McLeod Lake soil survey map area (Dawson 1989), and comprise an even larger proportion of the easily accessible forest land-base suitable for intensive manage- ~nent in the southern portion of the Prince George Timber Supply Area.

These soils are characterized by depletion of clay and some accumulation of organic inatter in the surface Ahe horizon, combined with distinct blocky structures in the much denser. clay-enriched Bt horizon (Arocena and San- born 1999). Roots are almost entirely confined to the forest

. . floor and A horizons, which typically extend to a depth o f . . .

15-25 cin The ALRF is located within the Willow Wet Cool vari-

ant of the Sub-Boreal Spruce (SBSwkl) biogeoclimatic subzone (DeLong 2003). comprisiilg over 8% of the SBS zone that dominates the British Columbia central interior (D. Meidinger, BC Ministry of Forests. May 5,2003). Mean annual temperature is 3O C, and mean annual precipitation is 930 mm (Jull 1992). Mature and old-growth forests are dominated by hybrid white spruce (Picea glauca X engelmannii) and s~ibalpiile fir (Abies lasiocarpu), with scattered veteran interior Douglas-fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii var. glauca) on higher landscape positions. Paper birch (Belula papvrifera) is most abundant in early seral coinmu- nities, but also persists in many older forests. Lodgepole pine (Pinus cnntorta var. lafifnlia), although widely planted on coarser soils in recently harvested areas in this subzone, is uncommon in mature forests on mesic sites.

Treatments and Experimental Design In designing rehabilitation treatments to restore soil pro-

ductivity, we wanted to accomplish the following changes in soil properties: (1) reduction of bulk densities; (2) restoration of organic matter; (3) restoration of beneficial soil structure or aggregation in the rooting zone; and (4) replacement of nutrients lost by soil and forest floor displacement.

Our treatments also took into account the following observations and principles: (1) equipment used for tillage treatments had to be readily available in the central interior of BC; (2) given the naturally shallow rooting zones in Luvisolic soils at ALRF, the treatments would emphasize restoration of surface soil conditions; (3) any organic soil amendments would have to be readily available in field situations; (4) tree species selection should include the preferred commercial species for undisturbed sites with similar soil types (i.e., hybrid white spruce), because its performance would be a good test of the treatments' success; (5) the dominant local broadleaf species (i.e., paper birch) should be included, because it is an important component of local seral communities, and has been shown to increase significantly the nutrient content of aggrading forest floors on degraded sites (Sanborn 2001); and (6) there would be no untreated control, because there were abundant

local examples of very poor tree growth on roads and landings constructed on similar soils (Figure 2): the most useful long-term comparison would be with trees growing on adjacent undisturbed arcas (Plotnikoff et al. 2002).

We designed three rehabilitation treatments that would allow us lo compare the biological effectiveness of wood waste incorporation with commonly used or operationally feasible practices (Table I). Although economic and effi- ciency studies of the Subsoiler and Topsoil treatments were performed in 1995 (Lawrie et al. 1996). the use of wood wastes for soil rehabilitation was untested for these soil and site conditions, and this study was intended only to examine the silvicultural and soil effects of this treatment. Cost and productivity data were not collected because field conditions necessitated major (and expensive) departuresfrom an operational implementation of this treatment. chipping and illcorporation of waste wood from debris piles adjacent to landings would be the operational practice that our first treatment was intended to simulate, but debris piles at the available landings had been burned prior to this study, so we used a tub grinder to chip locally obtained pulp logs and trucked the chips up to 4 km to our experimental sites. The "topsoil" applied in the third treatment consisted of a mixture of surface mineral soil and forest floor pushed into spoil piles adjacent to the landings during their construction by crawler tractors. Both the chip incorporation and topsoil recoveryltillage operations were carried out with a 5-tine site preparation rake mounted on a hydraulic excavator (Figures 3 and 4).

Based on accessibility, size, and similarity of surface (0-20 cm) soil texture (clay loam to heavy clay), we selected 15 landings located in cutblocks harvested between 1987 and 1990. These landings had been constructed as part of operational harvesting, and no special care had been taken to facilitate their later rehabilitation. The basic treatment unit was an individual landing to be of a size suitable for a companion study of tillage methods (Lawrie et al.

Figure 2. Sept 2002, view of conifers (Douglas-fir, hybrid white spruce) planted in 1989 on an untreated landing at Aleza Lake Research Forest, British Columbia (foreground). Trees in background are predominantly Douglas-fir, planted in 1989, on undisturbed area of adjacent cutblock.

WJAF 19(3) 2004 177 I ,. C. ,

Table 1. Summary o f rehabilitation treatments.

Treatment Rati onale Procedures and materials?

Chips

Subsoiler

Topsoil

Uses an organic amendment that would be readily available at most sites if woody debris piles at landings were chipped

Cheapest, simplest treatment. similar to much previous operational rehabilitation in central BC

Emphasizes rehabilitation of shallow surface soil layer comparable to depth of rooting zone in fine- textured Luvisols

,I Within 2 wccks of tillage. all ucatments received 400 kgha of 18-18-15 (N-P,O, (Mrqicugo ruli~,u). 25% birdsfool trefoil (h~lur corniculut!c~). 10% red 'clover (Trifoli

Figure 3. Site preparation rake attachment, mounted on hydraulic excavator, being used to incorporate waste wood chlps.

Flgure 4. Close-up of incorporation of 10- to 15-cm layer of waste wood chlps into upper 30-35 cm of surface soil on fine- textured landing (July 1996).

1996). Therefore, there were five replicates of each of the three treatment combinations (Table 1).

Each landing was split into three subplots for planting (2 X 2 m spacing) with three tree species combinations: (1) hybrid white spruce (100%); (2) paper birch (100%); and

Application of 10-15 crn of chipped waste wood (approx. 140 tha, oven-dry basis), along with 600 kgha of N (as urea-(NH,),SO,); chips incorporated to 30-35 crn depth with excavator-mounted site preparation rake

Tillage to 60 crn with winged subsoiler (T~lth Inc., Monroe. OR) mounted on Caterpillar D7F crawler tractor

Shallow tillage (approx. 20 cm) with Caterpillar EL20DB hydraulic excavator equipped with hydraulic thumb and 5-tined site preparation rake; without tnveling over the tilled surface, excavator was used lo apply a layer of topsoil (approx. 5-10 cm thick) reclaimed from adjacent spoil

-K,O) fcrhlizer and 50 L o n of Rhizobium-inoculalcd legume seed: 20% alfalfa urn prrlmse). 20% alsike clover (T. hybridurn). 25%'whitcclover (7. rrpms).

(3) birch (50%)-spruce (50%) mixture. Although landings differed considerably in size (0.25-1.0 ha) and shape, a subset of 100 seedlings will be monitored for long-term growth and survival on each subplot. A standard 400-m2 ~neasurement plot for soil sampling was permanently marked within each subplot.

The Subsoiler and Topsoil treatments were implemented in July-Aug. 1995 and the Chips treatment in July-Aug. 1996, with paper birch and hybrid white spruce seedlings (1+0 315 container stock) planted in May-June 1997. Se- vere over-winter rodent damage occurred to the paper birch seedlings, and after unsuccessful replanting in 1998, the pure birch subplots were replanted with lodgepole pine in 2000.

Measurement Methods Soil bulk density (Blake and Hartge 1986) was deter-

mined from intact cores (7 X 10 cm diameter) obtained at two depths (0-7 cm. 7-14 cm) collected with a slide ham- mer in July-Aug. 2000 at 10 random locations in the inner 400-m2 measurement plot in each tree species subplot. Soil for chemical analysis (0-20 cm depth) was sampled at another 10 random locations in each measurement plot. air-dried, and sieved (2 mm) prior to analysis.

Soil chemical analyses consisted of pH (measured with a Radiometer pH meter in a 1 :2 soil to 0.0 1 M CaClz slurry), total C (LECO C analyzer, St. Joseph. MI), total N (Tech- nicon Auto-Analyser, semi-micro Kjeldahl digestion), total S (LECO S analyzer), mineralizable N (2 week, 30' C anaerobic incubation), and exchangeable cations (1 N am- ~nonium acetate, pH 7). All chemical data are reported on an oven-dry basis.

The hybrid white spruce seedlings were measured after four growing seasons in Aug. 2000 (total height, rootcollar diameter, current-year height increment), but only the data for the pure spruce subplots are reported here. A single composite sample of current-year foliage was prepared in Sept. 2000 from 20 randomly selected spruce trees in each pure spruce subplot. Foliage was oven-dried (70" C, 48 h) and analyzed by microwave digestion (Kalra and Maynard

178 WJAF 19(3) 200Q

1991) and ICP determination of total macro- and micronu- trients. Total N and S were determined by a Fisons (Carlo- Erba) NA- 1500 NCS analyzer.

Statistical Analyses The bulk density data were analyzed as a completely

randomized split-split plot analysis of variance (ANOVA),

2 lam .g g 1m u 5 Boo n

. S e w % . $ un, Q)

5 m 0

Chips Subsoiler Topsoil

Figure 5. Bulk density of surface (0-7 cm) and subsurface (7-14 cm) soil, sampled July-Aug. 2000, from landlngs rehabll- kated with three treatments (wood chlp Incorporation, subsoil- lng, topsoil recovery + shallow tillage). Error bars Indicate standard devlatlons. SlgnRcant differences between treatments are indlcated by different lowercase letters for a glven depth, and between depths by upper-case letters for a glven treatment (Bonferronl adjusted rnultlple comparlson. P < 0.05).

Table 2. ANOVA table for soil bulk density of rehabilitated landlngs, Aleza Lake Research Forest (rnultlple /? = 0.468).

Source" df Enur term F statistic P-value

with treatment as the main plot factor, split by tree species and sampling depth, while the soil chemical data were treated as a completely randomized split plot design (species). Spruce seedling growth and foliar nutrient concentrations were analyzed as completely randomized (with subsampling) one-way ANOVAs, because the design involved only treatment as an effect. All analyses were carried out with SYSTAT v. LO software (SPSS Inc. 2000).

Results Soil Bulk Density

Soil bulk densities were highest in the Subsoiler treatment and in cores taken at the lower (7-14 cm) sampling depth (Figure 5). ANOVA found significant effects of treatment -and sampling depth, but no effect o f species, no significant two-way interactions between species and treatment, and species and depth, and no significant three-way interactions (Table 2). Depth X treatment interaction was significant, and with species removed from the model, sampling depth had a significant effect only in the Subsoiler arld Topsoil treatments, and with lower bulk densities in the surface cores (0-7 cm). For the surface cores, multiple comparisons found no significant differences between the Chips and Topsoil treatments, whereas for the subsurface cores, the Subsoiler and Topsoil treatments were not significantly different (Figure 5).

Soil Chemical Properties For all soil chemical properties examined, no effect of

species was detected. and there were no significant interactions between species and treatment (Table 3). Of the soil chemical properties analyzed, only total C, total N, total S, mineralizable N, and exchangeable M ~ " were significantly affected by the treatments (Table 3, Figure 6). and except for the latter property, concentrations were lowest in the Subsoiler treatment. For these five properties, the Bonfer- roni adjusted multiple comparison indicated that for all but total C concentration, the chips and subsoiler treat~nents did not differ significantly from each other (Figure 6).

D*LO 12 D*S 2 D*s*LO 0.0 19 o 982 Spruce Seedling Growth and Foliar Chemistry D*S*T 4 D*S*LO 0.738 0.575 Survival of white spruce seedlings across all treatments D*S*LO 24 Subsampling 809

averaged 93% (data not shown). Treatment effects were

ecmr significant for all seedling growth measurements (df =

a Abhrcviations for factors: T = lrcnlmml. L = Innding. S - species. D = 2.12): rootcollar diameter ( F = 13.808, P = 0.001). total

depth. height ( F = 5.064, P = 0.025). and current year height

Table 3. ANOVA table for selected soil chernlcal properties.

Total C Total N Min N Total S Exch Mg

Multiple R' 0.484 0.558 0.457 0.580 0.783

Sourcd df Error term F P F P F P F P F P

T 2 L(T) 11.688 0.002 12.483 0.001 10.439 0.002 5.186 0.024 5.921 0.016 L O 12 S 2 S*LQ 0.630 0.541 0.362 0.700 0.943 0.403 0.233 0.794 0.819 0.453 S*T 4 S*LQ 0.571 0.687 0.523 0.719 0.701 0.599 0.577 0.682 0.760 0.562 S*L(T,l 24 Subsampling error 405

Abbreviations for factors and stati9cs: T = treatment. L = landing, S = species. D = depth. F = F statistic. P = P-value.

WJAF 19(3) 2004 179 / .,

-2

0.15 $ 4.0 z

3 g 3.0 2 lz 0.10

2.0

0.05 1 .o

0.0 0.m Chlps Subsailer Topsoil Chips Subsoiler Topsoil

Chlps Subsoiler Topsoil Chlps Subsoiler Topsoil


Flgure 6. Selected chemlcal properties of surface sol1 (0-20 cm depth, sampled July-Aug., 2000) of landings rehabllltated wlth three treatments (wood chip Incorporatlon, subsolling, topsoil recovery + shallow tillage): (a) total carbon, (b) total nitrogen, (c) mlnerallzable n h g e n , (dl total sulfur, and (el exchangeable magneslum. Error bars lndlcate standard devlatlons. Bars tor treatments labeled wlth the same letter are not slgniflcantly different (Bonterronl adjusted muklple comparlson, P c 0.05).

increment (F = 6.148, P = 0.015). For all measures of Discussion seedling growth, spruce performance was superior in the chips treatment (Figure 7) and the Subsoiler and Topsoil The absence of any effect of species on soil properties

treatments did not differ significantly from each other. Was expected. given the short time since seedling establish- ANOVA of nutrient concentrations in current-year foliage ment on these treatments and replacement of birch by lodge- (not shown) indicated significant treatment effects only for pole pine in 2000. Tree species is unlikely to influence soil Mg. P, and Fe; mean concentrations are summarized in properties uiltil forest floor accumulation accelerates after Table 4. canopy closure (Sanborn 2001).

180 WJAF 19(3) 20W

For total C, N, and S, and mineralizable N in the (2 mm mineral soil (excluding the larger wood chip fragments), the relative ranking of the treatments was the same (Topsoil > Chips > Subsoiler), reflecting the close association of C, N, and S in soil organic matter. The low concentrations of total S (and N) in the Subsoiler and Chips treatments are consistent with those found in B horizons of forest soils elsewhere in the BC interior (Kishchuk and Brockley 2002). while the much higher S (and N) concentrations in the Topsoil treatment resulted from incorporation of forest floor inaterials in the spoil piles created during landing construction.

Although the soil total C concentration of Chips treatment was almost twice that of the Subsoiler treatment, this does not fully account for the C added in the form of wood chips.. Although an ongoing in s~tu.decomposition experiment (P. Sanborn, unpublished.data) has found rapid mass loss (>60% in 4 years) by wood chips buried in these treatment plots, a large proportion of the added wood waste remains in large fragments ( X . 5 cm minimum diameter) that are excluded by sieving during soil sample preparation. Qualitatively, the abundance of legume roots appeared greatest in the Chips treatment, suggesting that future inputs of organic matter from that source, along with continued fragmentation of the wood chips, will help to maintain C concentration in the soil fine fraction (<2 mm) as the wood chips continue to decompose. This treatment has significantly ameliorated both bulk density and soil nutrients, and spruce seedling performance appears to have benefited. In the absence of either chip incorporation or topsoil recovery, bulk densities in the Subsoiler treatment remain high, ap- proaching those found in the running surfaces of untreated landings at ALRF in 1994 (Sanborn et al. 1999).

Of the exchangeable cations, only M ~ ~ + was significantly affected by the treatments, with the lowest concentrations observed in the Topsoil treatment. This is consistent with the pattern observed in undisturbed soil profiles at ALRF, which have lower exchangeable Mg:Ca ratios in the forest floor and uppermost ~nineral soil horizons than in Bt horizons and parent materials (Arocena and Sanborn 1998). The running surfaces of untreated landings consist primarily of exposed B-horizon material, so in the absence of topsoil replacement, the exchangeable Mg concentrations of surface mineral soils in the Chips and Subsoiler treatments should be similar to B horizons and parent materials of undisturbed soils.

Based on interpretive criteria for spruce foliar nutrients used by the BC Ministry of Forests (R. Brockley, BC Ministry of Forests, Dec. 3, 2003) and similar to those presented by Carter (1992). the nutrients of greatest concern across all treatments are Mg and S. The higher levels of foliar Mg in the Subsoiler treatment are co~~sistent with the treatment effect noted for soil exchangeable Mg. Because widespread S deficiencies in BC interior forests have been well documented for lodgepole pine (Brockley 1996). it is reasonable to interpret the low foliar S concentrations in these hybrid white spruce seedlings as another expression of a regional pattern. The supplementary N fertilizer added



Chipa Subsoner Topsoil

Flgure 7. Seedllng measurements (Aug. 2000) lor hybrld interior spruce planted 1997 on landings rehabllltated wlth three treatments (wood chlp Incorporation, subsolling, topsoil recovery + shallow tillage): (a) rootcollar dlameter, (b) total height, and (c) height increment. Error bars indicate standard deviations. Bars for treatments labeled wlth the same letter are not signifkantly different (Bonferronl adjusted multiple comparison, P < 0.05).

with the chips appears to have offset N immobilization by the decomposing wood waste, and maintained satisfactory foliar N concentrations.

Table 4. Nutrient concentrations in current-year (2000) s p ~

Treatment Ca K Mg N

ruce foliage (means [n = 51 and standard deviations [italic]).

P S B Cu Fe Zn

.................................

Chips 0.402 0.588 0.072 1.43 0.066 0.019 0.005 0. 15

Subsoiler 0.401 0.598 0.084 1.32 0.074 0.023 0.009 0.18

Topsoil 0.385 0.577 0.072 1.36 0.039 0.033 0.009 0.10

Management Implications and Conclusions Three years after planting and 4 years after incorporation

of chipped wood waste, growth rates of hybrid interior spruce seedlings on these rehabilitated landings exceeded those of seedlings gowing on landings treated with simpler methods involving.topsoi1 recovery andor tillage. Although topsoil recovery crcated higher concentrations of C, N, and S in the rehabilitated surface soil, this treatment did not lead to correspondingly improved spruce growth. Because the depth of soil decompaction was shallowest in this treatment, it may be that physical factors have an overriding influence. For example, we noticed that temporary ponding of water after snowmelt was most pronounced on this treatment, suggesting that deepcr tillage is needed to enhance infiltra- tion in these fine-textured soils. In interpreting these initial resu1ts;it is important to remember that the landings used for this experiment were not originally designed or constructed so as to facilitate future rehabilitation. Additional care taken at the time of landing construction, particularly in salvaging forest floor and surface soil, and in ensuring drainage of the running surfaces, would likely improve the effectiveness of the combined topsoil recoveryltillage treatment.

Rapid establishment of agronomic legumes on all rehabilitation treatments created a mat of herbaceous vegetation that was pressed down by the winter snowpack and tended to crush seedlings, particularly in the case of paper birch. For future operational treatments, use of lower-growing agronomic species [e.g., white clover (Trifolium repens)] andor lower seeding rates would be preferable. Although broadleaf woody species are a desirable component of rehabilitation treatments, to assist in restoring forest floor organic matter and nutrient capital, species with less vul- nerability to rodent damage, such as Sitka alder (Alnus viridis ssp. sinuata) should be considered.

These results have demonstrated that simple rehabilitation treatments can restore productivity to severely degraded finetextured soils and allow satisfactory establishment and nutrition of hybrid white spruce seedlings under BC central interior conditions. Along with monitoring of seedling growth and survival, future assessment of these treatments should include more detailed characterization of soil physical properties affecting soil mechanical resistance and water availability, to verify that the apparent ameliora- tion of soil properties and restoration of site productivity are persisting. Once the planted seedlings have reached at least 5 years breast height age. it will be possible to estimate site index for these treatments for comparison with spruce grow-

182 WJAF 19(3) 2004

ing in adjacent plantations on undisturbed sites (Nigh and Martin 2001).

The apparent success of wood chip incorporation in improving seedling growing conditions highlights the im- portance of..ameliorating the high bulk density of these .

degraded fine-textured soils. The supplementary N addition in this treatment was sufficient to prevent excessive N immobilization by the incorporated wood waste at the ex- pense of seedling nutrition. Although this experiment required additional efforts and expcnse that would not apply to operational use of wood wastes, there are field-portable chipping systems available that can produce chips suitable for soil rehabilitation purposes from on-site logging residues (Bulley 1996). Bascd on these promising early results, silviculturists should consider incorporation of chipped wood wastes as part of soil rehabilitation treatments for access structures constructed on fine-textured soils. Soils similar to those at ALRF occupy a large proportion of the most accessible managed forest lands in the BC central interior, so inore intensive treatments may be justified to ensure their continued productivity.

Literature Cited AROCENA, J.M.. AND P. SANBORN. 1999. Mineralogy and genesis of

selected soils and their implications for forest management in central and northeastern British Columbia. Can. J. Soil Sci. 79(4):571-592.

BC MINISTRY OF FORESTS. 1997. Soil rehabilitation guidebook. BC Min. For.. For. Prac. Br. 77 p.

BC MINISTRY OF FORESTS. 2001. Prince George timber supply area analysis report. BC Min. For.. Timber Supp. Br. 132 p.

BLAKE, G.R., AND K.H. HARTGE. 1986. Bulk density. P. 363-375 in Methods of soil analysis. Part 1. 2nd Ed.. Klute. A. (ed.). Agron. Monogr. 9. ASA-SSSA. Madison, WI.

BROCKLEY, R.P. 1996. Lodgepole pine nutrition and fertilization: A summary of B.C. Ministry of Forests research results. BC Min. For.. FRDA Rep. 266. 27 p.

BLILLEY. B.D. 1996. Treatment of roadside debris with the Morbark 30/36 E-Z Mou~ltain Goat Chipper. For. Eng. Res. Inst. Can. Field Note No. Silviculture-92. 2 p.

BULMER. C. 1998. Forest soil rehabilitation in British Columbia: A problem analysis. BC Min. For., Land Manage. Handb. 44. 45 p.

CARR. W.W. 1988. The rehabilitation of degraded forest soil in British Columbia: An overview. P. 197-203 in Proc. of 10th B.C. soil science workshop on degradation of forested land: forest soils at risk. Lousier. J.D. and G.W. Still (cds.). BC Min. For.. Land Manage. Rep. 56.

CARTER, R. 1992. Diagnosis and interpretation of forest stond nutrient status. P. 90-97 in Forest fertilization: Sustaining and improving nutrition and growth of western forests. Chappell. H.N.. G.F. Weetmnn, and R.E. Miller (eds.). Contrib. No. 73, Inst. of For. Res., Univ. of Washington, Seattle. WA.

DAWSON. A.B. 1989. Soils of the Prince George-McLeod Lake m a . BC Min. Environ., Tech. Rep. No. 29. 219 p.

DELONG. S.C. 2003. A field guide to site identification and interpretation for the southeast potion of the Prince George Forest Region. BC Min. For.. Land Manage. Handb. 51. 222 p.

/ i.:) .

GOLC~IIN, A,. J.M. OADE, J.O. SKJEA~STAD, AXD P. CLARKE, 1994. Soil structure and carbon cycling. Soil Biol. Biochem. 32: 1043-1068.

HALLSBY, G. 1995. Field performance of outplanted Norway spruce: Effects of organic matter amendments and site preparation. Can. J. For. Res. 2.5: 1356-1367.

JULL. M. 1992. Aleza Lake Research Forest: Management and working plan #I . BC Min. For.. Prince George Region. 39 p.

KALRA, Y.P.. AXD D.G. MAYNARD. 1991. Methods manual for forest soil and plant analysis. Forestry Canada Info. Rep. NOR-X-319. 116 p.

K l S l l a l ~ ~ . B.. AND R.P. BROCKLEY. 2002. Sulfur availability on lodgepole pine sites in British Columbia. Soil Sci. Soc. Am. J. 66(4):1325-1333.

LAWRIE. D., R.K. KRAG, P. SANBORN, AND C'. BCLMER. 1996. Reclamation of compacted fine-textured soils on the Aleza Lake Research Forest using a winged subsoiler and a hydraulic excavator. For. Eng. Res. Inst. Can., Tech. Note TN-250. 15 p.

MCNABB. D.H. 1994. Tillage of compacted haul roads and landings in the boreal forests of Alberta, Canada. For. Ecol. Manage. 66: 179-194.

NIGH, G.D.. AND P.J. MARTIN. 2001. A method to assess the performance of growth intercept models in British Columbia. For. Chron. 77:49 1-49?,

. 'PAUSTIAN. K:. 0. ANDREIN..M. CLARIIOLM; A,-C..HANSSON. G. JOHANSSON. J. LAGERHOF, T. LINDBERG. R. P ~ E R S S O N , AND B. SOHLENIL~S. 1990. Carbon and nitrogen budgets of four agroecosystems with annual and perennial crops, with and without N fertilization. J. Appl. Ecol. 27:60-84.

PLO~IKOFF, M.R., C.E. BULMER. ~ h m M.G. SCIIMIDT. 2002. Soil properties and tree g o w t l ~ on rehabilitated forest landings in the interior cedar hemlock biogeoclimatic zone: British Columbia. For. Ecol. Manage. 170(1-3): 199-215.

SANBORN. P. 2001. Influence of broadleaf trees on soil chemical properties: A retrospective study in the Sub-Boreal Spmce Zone, British Columbia Canada. Plant Soil. 236(1):75-82.

SANBORN. P., hg. K R A N A B ~ R . AND C . BULMER. 1999. Soil rehabilitation in the Prince George Forest Region: A review of two decades of research. B C Min. For.. Prince George Forest Region. For. Res. Note. #PG- 18. 6 p.

SCHUMAN, G.E., L.A. KING, AND J.A. SMITH. 2000. Reclamatio~i of benlonite mined lands P. 687-707 in Reclamation of drastically disturbed lands. Agronomy Monograph No. 41, Barnhisel, R.1.. R.G. Darmody, and W.L. Daniels (eds.). Soil Sci. Soc. of Am. Madison, WI.

SPSS he. 2000. SYSTAT, v. LO. SPSS Inc.. Chicago. 1L. 660 p. VAGSTAD. N.. A. BRDCII-DL'E. AND I. LYNGSTAD. 2001. Direct and residual

effects of pulp and paper mill sludge on crop yield and soil mineral N. Soil Use Manage. 17:173-178.

V ~ R L E I N . D.. AND R.F. HL'ITL. 1999. Can applied organic matter fulfil similar functions as soil organic matter? Risk-benefit analysis for organic matter application as a potential strategy for rehabilitation of disturbed ecosystems. Plant Soil 213:l-10.

WJAF 19(3) 2004 183 F I

,TED RESOURCE SYSTEhlS LID.

Appendix C -

Location and Site Maps

PA. Box 54174 LWPO, 1562 Londale Avenue, North Vancouvar, BC V7M 3L5 PRINCE GEORGE OFFICE1301 Kelliher Road. PrincbGaorge, BC V2L 558 Phone: (250) 561-1063 Far (250) 6141063 Ernall: [email protected] FORT NELSON: (250) 233-8745

notice of intent · danny and vera soles box 85 fort nelson, bc voc 1ro phone: (250) 233-20 12 fax:...

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