Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands Land Management Plan 2017-2027 North Highland Forest District Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands Land Management Plan 2017 – 2027 Plan Reference No:030/516/416 Plan Approval Date:__________ Plan Expiry Date:____________ | Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands LMP | NHFD Planning | Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands Land Management Plan 2017-2027 Contents 4.0 Analysis and Concept I. Background information 4.1 Analysis of opportunities 4.2 Concept Development 1.0 Introduction: 4.3 Analysis and concept table 1.1 Setting and context Map 4 - Analysis and concept map 1.2 History of the plan 4.4. Land Management Plan brief Map 1 - Location and context map Map 2 - Key features – Forest and water map Map 3 - Key features – Environmental features II. Land Management Plan Proposals 2.0 Analysis of previous plan 5.0. Summary of proposals 3.0 Background information 3.1 Physical site factors 5.1 Forest stand management 3.1.1 Geology Soils and landform 5.1.1 Clear felling 3.1.2 Water 5.1.2 Thinning 3.1.2.1 Flood risk 5.1.3 LISS 3.1.3 Climate 5.1.4 New planting 5.2 Future habitats and species 3.2 Biodiversity and Heritage Features 5.3 Restructuring 3.2.1 Designated sites 5.3.1 Peatland restoration 3.2.2 Cultural heritage 5.4 Management of open land 5.5 Deer management 3.3 The existing forest: 3.3.1 Age structure, species and yield class 3.3.2 Site Capability 6.0. Detailed proposals 3.3.3 Access 3.3.4 Low Impact Sylvicultural Systems (LISS) Potential 6.1 CSM6 Forms (Appendix 1b & Appendix 4) 6.2 Coupe summary 3.4 Landscape and land use Map 5 – Management coupes (felling) map 3.4.1 Landscape character Map 6 – Future habitat map 3.4.2 Visibility Map 7 – Planned operations map (CSM6 felling coupes, restock coupes, new 3.4.3 Neighbouring land use planting & planned roads) Map 8 – New planting 3.5 Social factors Map 9 – Deer management 3.5.1 Recreation and access 6.3 Tolerance table 3.5.2 Community 6.4 Management prescriptions types 6.5 Productive forestry species prescription 3.6 Statutory requirements and key external policies 6.6 Native woodland prescriptions (NVC) | Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands LMP | NHFD Planning | Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands Land Management Plan 2017-2027 Appendices: i) Scottish planning framework ii) Key policies iii) Consultation record - External iv) Consultation record – Internal v) Archaeological Record vi) Planted Ancient Woodland Site Appraisal vii) Bibliography Support documents: Panoramic landscape perspectives Designated site plans Appropriate Assessment for Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands LMP in relation to Ben Wyvis SPA, SAC & SSSI Appropriate Assessment for Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands LMP in relation to Glen Affric to Strathconon SPA Request for determination under EIA (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (new planting) Request for determination under EIA (Forestry) (Scotland) Regulations 1999 (road construction) North Highland FD Monument Management Plan | Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands LMP | NHFD Planning | Appendix 1 indicates the levels of operational plans that sit below, and are informed by 1.0 Setting and context this LMP. In compliance with UKFS the operational plans detail specific implementation The management of Forestry Commission Scotland’s National Forest Estate is detail including: guided by the National Strategic Directions (2013), which identifies six aspirations that will influence integrated land management within our boundaries: • Potential hazards to workers and forest users • Operational detail specific to machine use • Healthy – achieving good environmental and silvicultural condition in a changing • Safeguards and mitigation measures to protect the immediate site and, by climate. association, the wider forest • Productive – providing sustainable economic benefits from the land. • Detail of post operations planning including the treatment of any waste materials identified. • Treasured – as a multi-purpose resource that sustains livelihoods, improves • Contingency planning quality of life, and offers involvement and enjoyment. • Accessible – local woodlands and national treasures that are well promoted, Stakeholders requiring this level of information should contact the North Highland Forest welcoming and open for all. District Operations Team following approval of this plan. • Cared For – working with nature and respecting landscapes, natural and cultural heritage. Appendix 2 – Key Policies and Guidance details the external policy drivers for the • Good Value – exemplary, effective and efficient delivery of public benefits. proposals in this plan. Current industry and FC guidance will be complied with during any operations associated with this plan, including any subsequent guidance revisions Drawing on these key aspirations North Highland Forest District (NHFD) have published during the plan’s ten year approval period. drafted a three year Strategic Plan (2014 – 2017). The plan establishes links with the national priorities underpinning these aspirations, detailing local priorities upon which NHFD plans will be founded. The NHFD Strategic Plan ensures that land management activities complement and enhance the local economic, social and ecological individuality of each LMP area. This plan aims to provide local context to the national aspirations and key priorities by detailing local priorities that will support us in achieving sustainable integrated land management across all areas of the National Forest Estate. Appendix 1 – The Forest Planning Framework in Scotland gives context to the purpose and scope of this Land Management Plan. In compliance with UKFS this is a strategic indicative plan intended to state the objectives of management and how sustainable forest management will be achieved by signposting the relevant guidance and best practice and spatially identifying management aspirations. This plan also provides a means to communicate our proposals to the neighbouring communities and stakeholders and serves as an agreed statement of intent against which implementation can be checked and monitored (see Section 4.4 - FDP Brief for details of the monitoring proposed). 1 | Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands LMP | NHFD Planning | pine (Pinus uncinata - MOP), Western Hemlock (Tsuga hererophylla - WH) and Serbian spruce (Picea omorica) are planted in varied mixtures across the LMP area, and 1.1 History of Plan together they cover 2.7% of the stocked area. The production of Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands Land Management Plan is the full Broadleaf species are well-represented within the LMP area, at 15.7%, thanks to significant ten year revision of the following Forest Design Plans (FDPs): areas of native woodland on PAWS. Downy birch (Betula pubescens) and Silver birch (Betula pendula) are main species, with Oak (Quercus robur & Quercus patrea) Common Adler (Alnus • Torrachilty 030/517/225 (extended until 31.01.2018) glutinosa), Ash (Fraxinus excelsior), Aspen (Populus tremula), Common beech (Fagus • Strathpeffer Woodlands 030/517/270 (expires 03.02.2018) silvatica), Common hazel (Corylus avellana), European holly (Ilex aquifolium), Common • Achilty 030/517/200 (expires 26.02.2019) hawthorn (Crataegus monogyna), Rowan (Sorbus aucuparia), willows (Salix species) also • Strathgarve 030/516/244 (expires 31.10.2021) present. • Longart & Garbat 030/516/061 (expires 03.12.2023) Previously the plans had each covered their individual areas however to better address issues of landscape design, water catchment management and biodiversity conservation NHFD have merged the plan areas and the number adopted for the full area is: 030/516/416. The term ‘Land Management Plan’ better reflects the wider scope of the document in dealing not only with forestry, but with designated site planning, open ground management, scheduled ancient monument planning and general integrated land management issues. The document’s key function remains to seek approval for felling and restocking over the next ten years. Garbat forest block, with Ben Wyvis in the background. Photo A.Baranska, NHFD The plan area is situated within the central part of Ross-shire, between Contin, Dingwall, Strathpeffer and Garve (see Map 1 Location & Context). The Land Management Plan area covers c. 9580 ha, with significant areas of open hill, archaeological features (both scheduled and unscheduled) and sensitive watercourses; the area offers potential for hydro development and Allt Dearg proposal is currently at the pre-application stage. 57% of the area is productive forest, 9% is currently felled in fallow, 26% is open ground, about 7% is under agricultural tenancy, less than 1% open water, and land under other management is under 1%. Sitka spruce (Picea sithensis – SS) is the predominant conifer in the productive high forest at almost 36% of the stocked area, Scots pine (Pinus silvestris – SP) has the second largest share at 22.5%, followed by Lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta – LP) which covers nearly 20% of the afforested area.Hybrid larch (Larix x eurolepsis – HL), European larch (Larix decidua – EL), and Japanese larch (Larix kaempferi – JL) cover about 3.5%, while other conifer species, such as Norway spruce (Picea abies – NS), Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziensi –DF), Grand fir (Abies grandis – GF) ,Mountain 2 | Ben Wyvis & Strathpeffer Woodlands LMP | NHFD Planning | 2.0 Analysis of previous plans A scoping meeting was held on 13th of April 2016 involving key Forest District staff, to analyse the aims of the previous plan and to agree objectives for the FDP brief. More