This is the first of what we hope will be a constantly expanding
and updated list. At this point it is made up of loggers responding
to a letter and questionnaire that we sent out on March 14,
2003. The list includes each logger's response to questions
on the eight criteria. Following is a discussion of the criteria
and why they are important when landowners sell timber.
1. Logger has not received a Virginia Silvicultural Water
Quality Law Special Order or Emergency Special Order from
the Virginia Department of Forestry within the past two years.
Professional loggers, who are careful and conscientious about
their work, will take steps to protect water quality and will
not have a history of Water Quality Law violations with the
Department of Forestry. Landowners may in some cases be left
with the responsibility of correcting water quality problems
if a logger does not do so.
2. Logger follows Virginia's Best Management Practices
(BMPs) for Water Quality Protection. Use of BMPs protects
the Commonwealth's water and keeps soil in place. If BMPs
are used, there will ordinarily be no problems with the Silvicultural
Water Quality Law.
3. Logger carries liability and worker's compensation
insurance. This offers a landowner some protection from
accidents, which may occur during logging operations on his
or her land. Carrying insurance also shows that the logger
has a concern for protecting his employees in this very dangerous
business. (Any logger employing more than three persons is
required, by law, to carry worker's compensation insurance.)
4. Logger must have been in business or operating for
at least two years. Experience is valuable in the logging
profession. Those who have been logging for a longer period
of time have had a chance to develop better skills in safety,
water quality protection, and directional tree felling. There
is also more of a track record on which to judge their professionalism.
5. Logger has completed SHARP logger core training program
(or equivalent) and maintains continuing education requirements.
Trained, professional loggers have higher skill levels in
the important issues of safety, water quality protection,
and sustainable forestry. They are also more aware of the
legal requirements of the business.
6. Logger can supply letters of recommendation from at
least three landowners for whom he or she has worked.
Satisfied landowners, who have been treated fairly and professionally
are one of the best indicators of quality loggers.
7. Logger prepares and uses written harvest plan in logging
operations. Harvest planning promotes an orderly and efficient
logging job. Loggers who use a harvest plan have few water
quality problems and are more profitable. Consequently, they
are less apt to take improper shortcuts.
8. Logger notifies Virginia Department of Forestry and
adjoining landowners when starting a new logging operation.
Department of Forestry notification is required by law. Notification
of adjacent landowners is a courtesy and reduces the incidence
of cutting timber across property lines.
Presently, the logger information list has only been developed for
the Virginia counties of Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson,
Grayson, Lee, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington,
Wise, and Wythe. If the program is successful, others will
be added later. If there are questions about the program,
call Emily Duncan at the Appalachian Sustainable Development
office in Abingdon. Phone number is 276-623-1121. Loggers,
who did not receive the original invitation but do wish to
be on the list should call the same number.
A few words of caution:
**We strongly recommend the use of a professional forester
to set up a timber harvest.**
This list is intended to give landowners background information
of loggers, but says nothing about the type of forestry that
they practice. A good forester will design a timber harvest
to do three things: (1) make money for the landowner, (2)
improve the health of the forest, and (3) protect environmental
values. This sustains all of the values of the forest and
provides good future financial returns as well. A forester
can prepare a forest management plan for your property. This
tool can be used as you plan future management activities.
Contact the Virginia Department of Forestry for more information
about foresters working in this area.
For various reasons, not all loggers on the list will completely
meet all 8 qualifications. Your copy will state which qualifications
are not yet complete. Also, just because a person is on the
list, does not mean that there will never be a problem. When
selling timber, thoroughly discuss price and harvesting methods
with your logger, and always use a written contract.
