The Field Operations Support Division provides operational and technical staff direction to the Forestry Commission field organization in each of the major program areas of forest management, nurseries and tree improvement, forest insects and diseases, forest fire protection, and environmental management. Additionally, it provides oversight to the equipment and communication needs of the agency including operations of the central shop.
Forest Management
Urban Forestry
Forest Stewardship
State Forests
Manchester State Forest
Sand Hills State Forest
Harbison State Forest
State Lands Management
The Forest Management Section assists South Carolina citizens with management and development of the forest resources of the state. Programs include Woodland Management Assistance, Reforestation Assistance, Forestry Services, Forest Products Utilization and Marketing Assistance, Resource Conservation and Development, Urban Forestry, and Watersheds. These programs assist owners in growing more timber, aid industries in more efficient utilization of the timber resource, and foster conservation and multiple use of the forest resource.
There are 12.4 million acres of commercial forest land in South Carolina. According to the 1993 U.S. Forest Service Survey, 72% of the land is owned by farmers and miscellaneous private owners. Forest industry owns approximately 19% with 9% in public ownership.
The Forest Management programs are designed to assist the non-industrial private landowner with multiple use forest management.
The Forest Management Section also has oversight responsibilities for the management of Sand Hills, Cassatt, and Manchester State Forests. Technical assistance is also provided to other state agency lands upon request.
Forest Management Assistance
Forest Renewal Program (FRP)
Forestry Incentive Program (FIP) - Federal
Agricultural Conservation Program (ACP) - Federal
Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) - Federal
Hurricane Hugo Reforestation Project
Seedling Survival
Forest Services
These services were available to landowners during the year:
Urban forestry seeks to improve the quality of life in populated areas by providing direct technical assistance to communites and by working through partnerships with other organizations to protect and improve the management of urban tree resources. Clean air, clean water, improved aesthetics, increased property value, noise buffering, energy conservation, and public safety are some of the products of these endeavors.
Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program
Partnership Development and Educational Programs
Technical Assistance
A full-time Grants Administrator works in the Columbia Office along with the Urban Forestry Coordinator for statewide program management.
Tree City USA
Professional foresters from the Forestry Commission provide forest management advice and assistance to landowners. The land is examined and a written forest management plan is prepared. Recommendations for management may include such silviculture practices as forest protection, reforestation, harvesting, prescribed burning, wildlife habitat improvement, and recreation. This year 3,272 management plans were prepared for 210,163 acres.
Where practical, the landowner is referred to consulting or industrial foresters to assist in carrying out management recommendations. This year 576 cases were referred to consulting foresters and 527 to industrial foresters.
In 1982 the program was funded for the first time by a $100,000 state appropriation. This permitted an assessment of $400,000 from forest industry, and created a $500,000 Forest Renewal Fund.
The program was funded at the same level for 1995-96.
Since 1974, $21,321,319 have been allocated to South Carolina landowners under FIP.
Agricultural Conservation Program funds are also available to landowners for reforestation.
The Program began with crop year 1986 and was renewed with the passage of the 1990 Farm Bill. Thirteen signups have been held with 224,047 acres approved for trees. This year 793 acres were planted.
The Hugo Incentive Program (HIP) was established and funded with $6.0 million federal dollars ($3.0 million initial funding plus $3.0 million more in Spring 1992.) HIP is unique in that federal monies are being administered and allocated by a state agency. Further, the SCFC is using the Dire Emergency Supplemental Appropriations Act funding to operate the cost share program. Therefore, all of the $6 million is available to assist non-industrial private forest landowners. The entire $6 million is now spent or designated for applicants.
STATEWIDE ACCOMPLISHMENTS ALL COST SHARE PROGRAMS
REFORESTATION AND TIMBER STAND IMPROVEMENT
No. of Acres Natural TSI Cost Share
Program Landowners Planted Regeneration Acres Payments
FRP 117 4,135 25 672 $381,390
FIP 419 6,563 50 1,392 $912,145
ACP 290 5,713 0 972 $359,772
CRP 26 793 0 0 $22,753
HIP 47 3,301 44 1,894 $459,909
SIP 82 2,620 0 766 $213,918
Total 981 23,125 119 5,696 $2,349,887
A total of 431 survival checks were made using a row count or tenth acre plot method for determining survival. A weighted analysis involving all survival checks was used to determine the statewide survival of 75%.
Planting Jobs Weighted Percent
Region Inspected Survial
Coastal 50 73%
Pee Dee 119 81%
Piedmont 162 72%
Total 431 75%
FOREST MANAGEMENT ASSISTANCE 1995-96
Non Cost-Share Cost-Share Forest Stewardship
County Exams Acres Exams Acres Exams Acres
=============================================================================
ABBEVILLE 99 2,481.0 45 2,199.0 2 685.0
AIKEN 72 8,344.0 34 2,435.0 2 1,061.0
ALLENDALE 16 568.0 35 1,462.0 5 1,380.0
ANDERSON 92 6,764.0 8 441.0 0 0.0
BAMBERG 7 389.0 55 2,515.0 6 2,474.0
BARNWELL 27 2,653.0 53 2,724.0 10 1,721.0
BEAUFORT 4 155.3 5 345.0 2 2,103.0
BERKELEY 19 2,504.0 13 805.0 1 523.0
CALHOUN 17 1,279.0 33 1,192.0 0 0.0
CHARLESTON, UPPER 9 236.0 4 265.0 0 0.0
CHARLESTON, LOWER 43 7,148.0 4 258.0 5 895.0
CHEROKEE 34 2,515.0 3 385.0 0 0.0
CHESTER 2 127.0 39 607.0 2 609.0
CHESTERFIELD 21 3,172.6 73 3,481.3 7 3,232.0
CLARENDON 37 1,669.0 41 1,944.0 2 365.0
COLLETON 22 1,273.0 29 1,687.0 10 2,198.0
DARLINGTON 34 1,313.0 35 1,448.0 3 576.0
DILLON 26 2,025.0 32 1,418.0 0 0.0
DORCHESTER 8 770.0 12 1,017.0 0 0.0
EDGEFIELD 28 1,755.0 52 3,071.0 5 288.0
FAIRFIELD 11 454.0 28 556.0 0 0.0
FLORENCE 40 1,070.0 66 1,174.0 2 443.0
GEORGETOWN 6 495.0 15 678.0 0 0.0
GREENVILLE 110 4,119.0 0 0.0 0 0.0
GREENWOOD 43 3,430.0 20 860.0 1 249.0
HAMPTON 27 4,380.0 54 2,829.7 6 1,972.0
HORRY 48 5,642.0 41 1,775.0 1 87.0
JASPER 14 381.0 13 950.0 3 539.0
KERSHAW 18 1,540.5 15 1,093.0 1 73.0
LANCASTER 20 790.0 17 472.0 3 2,581.0
LAURENS 122 1,417.0 41 1,879.0 3 1,500.0
LEE 6 430.0 17 946.0 2 428.0
LEXINGTON 49 1,768.0 6 316.0 5 1,437.0
McCORMICK 13 705.0 20 1,234.0 1 287.0
MARION 8 216.0 21 863.9 0 0.0
MARLBORO 39 3,093.0 12 266.0 1 115.0
NEWBERRY 23 1,473.0 41 1,394.0 5 288.0
OCONEE 166 6,841.5 1 10.0 0 0.0
ORANGEBURG 38 2,093.0 96 3,541.0 4 793.0
PICKENS 114 3,503.3 13 885.0 0 0.0
RICHLAND 59 4,486.0 0 0.0 3 1,250.0
SALUDA 13 918.0 58 2,685.0 1 67.0
SPARTANBURG 48 3,349.0 12 602.0 7 1,332.0
SUMTER 17 693.0 25 942.0 0 0.0
UNION 22 2,190.0 13 1,038.0 5 3,340.0
WILLIAMSBURG 26 2,322.0 110 4,622.0 13 3,520.0
YORK 60 4,339.0 5 262.0 1 900.0
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STATE TOTALS 1,777 109,279.2 1,365 61,572.9 130 39,311.0
Through this program the Commission provides assistance to landowners and other state agency lands with afforestaton, reforestation, and maximization of production from their woodlands. The landowner is charged the cost of all services performed.
--Firebreak Plowing - performed by Forestry Commission employees using agency equipment for $75 for the 1st hour and $50 for each additional hour.
--Prescribed Burning - performed by Forestry Commission employees using agency equipment for $12 per acre for the 1st 50 acres, $10 per acre for the 2nd 50 acres and $8/acre for all over 100 acres. Firebreak plowing costs are not included. Minimum fee $100.00.
--Prescribed Burning Standby- an agency tractor and employee on standby at burning site while landowner performed burning under an approved plan for $45 for the 1st hour and $20 for each additional hour.. Minimum fee $100.00.
--Equipment Rental Program - agency owned tree planters, bedding plows and drum choppers made available to private landowners at rates from $4 to $15 per acre.
--Timber Marking - performed by Forestry Commission employees at the rate of $5 per thousand board feet and $2.00 per cord.
Units Receipts
Service # Tracts of Measure Received FY 95
Firebreak Plowing 660 1,437 miles $ 99,250
Prescribed Burning 144 7,381 acres $66,178
Pres. Burning Standby 42 2,647 acres $6,433
Equipment Rental 35 902 acres $4,833
Water Bar Construction 23 518 bars $11,475
Timber Marking 24 3,579 cords
2,062,896 bd.ft.$22,413
Total 928 $210,582
The Urban and Community Forestry Grant Program is a national program funded by Congress through the U.S. Forest Service. South Carolina received $149,250 in base funding to provide technical assistance and training. Pass-through grants in the amount of $225,000 were provided to county and local governments, non-profit organizations, and educational institutions to develop long-lasting urban forestry programs in their communities.
Through the technical assistance and the grant funds, the urban program strives to develop partnerships with a variety of organizations and units of local government. Often these partnerships result in educational programs about the benefits and importance of urban forest resources. During FY96, the Forestry Commission developed partnerships with 250 other organizations and presented 140 educational sessions to almost 3300 participants.
Three full-time urban foresters provide technical assistance on a regional basis in the Piedmont, Pee Dee, and Coastal regions of the state. Other Commission foresters provide urban forestry assistance in their respective areas on a time available basis.
Non-Grant Through Grant Program
Forestry Commission Accomplishments
Types of Technical Assistance Technical Assistance by Grantees
Program Development/Expansion 117 NA
Project Management 19 NA
Urban Forest Cultural Practices 872 NA
TREES INVENTORIED
Miles 0 70
Total Trees Inventoried 95 10,293
TREES PLANTED
Seedlings/Whips/Saplings (#) 1,103 429
Street/Park Size (#) 705 276
TREES MAINTAINED (#) 254 1,056
TREES PROTECTED
Local Ordinances Passed/Revised (#) 0 4
DEMONSTRATION PLANTING
PROJECTS (#) 0 9
Sponsored by the National Arbor Day Foundation, TREE CITY USA is administered in South Carolina by the Forestry Commission. The program seeks to stimulate and promote the management of urban trees by recognizing towns and cities which meet the following criteria: (1) expenditure of at least two dollars per capita on tree care and planting, (2) establishment of a city tree ordinance (3) a legally constituted Tree Board, and (4) observance of Arbor Day by a mayor's proclamation and official ceremony. South Carolina ranks 26th nationally with 26 towns recognized as TREE CITY USA.
| SIP | Funded Requests | Acres Treated | Cost-share Earned | Unfunded Need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SIP 2 - Reforestation | 221 | 8,175 | $622,497 | $536,529 |
| SIP 4 - Windbreak | 0 | 0 | $0 | $1,614 |
| SIP 5 - Soil & Water | 51 | 1,804 | $40,963 | $23,421 |
| SIP 6 - Riparian & Wetland | 7 | 21 | $14,079 | $10,160 |
| SIP 7 - Fish Habitat | 2 | 6 | $2,408 | $1,500 |
| SIP 8 - Wildlife Habitat | 198 | 6,345 | $409,113 | $121,987 |
| SIP 9 - Recreation | 6 | 159 | $4,876 | $3,201 |
| TOTAL | 551 | 19,580 | $1,178,604 | $738,517 |
Manchester State Forest, located south of Wedgefield in Sumter County is currently comprised of approximately 19,332 acres, 1,955 acres of which was recently purchased in January of 1996. From 1939 through 1955, the land was leased by the State of South Carolina from the federal government and managed by the South Carolina Forestry Commission. The State received title to the property on June 28, 1955.
Receipts
Note: 25% of all forest receipts paid to county, totaling $132,362.06
Timber sales were concentrated on thinnings in overstocked stands and conversion of older slash pine stands to longleaf plantations.
Forty free use permits were issued to individuals to rake straw for their personal use.
Silvicultural Practices
The following species and number of trees were planted:
A total of 381 acres were prescribed burned for site preparation, wildlife habitat enhancement, hardwood control and litter reduction. Weather and smoke management guidelines were a limiting factor in the completion of the proposed schedule of burning.
Forest Protection
Recreation/Education
The rifle/pistol range is a popular attraction at Manchester with a total of 732 free use permits issued with an average of three visits per permit. The range is staffed by one temporary employee and a group of approximately 40 dedicated volunteers.
Four educational programs were conducted by the forest staff and area personnel with approximately 100 individuals involved.
Ten special use permits were issued for organized events with approximately 2,300 participants.
Wildlife Management
Planting and maintenance was conducted on 68 wildlife food patches containing 110 acres. Wheat, rye, clover, Austrian winter pea, corn, soybeans, Kobe lespedeza, sorghum, browntop millet and strut-n-rut were utilized to diversify the food supply. Fruit and nut bearing trees and shrubs include, bicolor, crab apples, Carolina buckhorn, chickasaw plum, waxmyrtle and red cedar. Several of these species were donated through the Department of Natural Resources and planted by the SCFC and DNR personnel as well as prison labor from the Wateree Correctional Institute.
Campbell's Pond was drained, refilled, and limed with the assistance of the fisheries biologists from the Department of Natural Resources. Catfish, bream, and bass were restocked and the pond is being fertilized on a regular basis. The pond reopened for anglers during June of 1996.
Sand Hills State Forest, located in Chesterfield and Darlington Counties, contains 46,000 acres. The forest was operated under a Lease from the federal government from 1939 until 1992 at which time title was transferred to the Forestry Commission.
Receipts
Silvicultural Practices
Forest Protection
Ten (10) wildfires burned 24.5 acres.
Recreation
Wildlife Management
Educational Activities
Endangered Species
Harbison State Forest, located northwest of Columbia in Richland County, contains 2,188 acres. The tract is being managed as a public greenspace, emphasizing environmental and forestry education and demonstrating forest management practices.
Construction Projects: Construction was conducted on the stewardship road area (0.5 mile). A summer internship program employed 2 forestry students to assist in maintenance and trail construction.
Educational Activities:
Harbison Forest hosted a mountain bike race for the Leukemia Society of America.
Two timber sales were conducted on 187 acres with 819,558 board feet and 255 cords of pine timber selectively thinned from the forest. The state lands forest management program was created to provide professional forest management assistance to South Carolina state agencies that own timber lands.
Timber Revenue
Silvicultural Practices
Miscellaneous Requests
Receipts For Operating Budget:
Forest Product Sales - 885,204 bd.ft., 4,420 cords $504,185.65
Wildlife (WMA) $ 24,526.07
Land Leases $ 1,836.50
Total $530,548.22
Site preparation by drum chopping, chemical application, burning debris, V-blade and various combinations of the above was completed on 165 acres. These areas included stands that were previously understocked and therefore clear-cut. Old agricultural fields were also planted making the total areas artificially regenerated 181 acres.
Improved Coastal Loblolly Pine 45,000
Bareroot Longleaf Pine 53,500
Total Trees Planted 98,500
Four wildfires occurred on Manchester this year, burning a total of 15.3 acres. Firebreaks were maintained on those areas that were either high risk or high value. Two hundred thirty-two cords of pine pulpwood were salvaged that were diseased or insect or lightning damaged to maintain the overall forest health.
Recreational use of the forest continues to escalate. Hunting, fishing, horseback riding, motorcycle/ATV riding and mountain biding continue to be favortie activities. Fishing opportunities increased with the opening of the 12 acre Campbell's Pond in June, 1996. Hunting was also enhanced by opening a portion of the sanctuary near the headquarters for big game archery hunting. The opening of the High Hills of Santee Passage of the Palmetto Trail from Mill Creek County Park through Manchester to Poinsett State Park will provide trail opportunities to hikers, mountain bikers and horseback riders. This passage is currently 15 miles long with plans of extending through Manchester, across the Wateree River and into Richland County. A day use parking lot is also being planned in conjunction with the final segment of the trail.
Approximately 16,000 acres of the forest are included in the Wildlife Management Area Program through a cooperative agreement between the Department of Natural Resources and the South Carolina Forestry Commission. Technical assistance with game food plot establishment, monitoring deer herd dynamics, tracking various nongame and game species, pond management, and law enforcement on the forest is provided through interagency cooperation.
Timber sales, Pine straw, WMA payment
Note: 25% of all forest receipts are paid to Chesterfield and Darlington Counties.
Land lease payments, miscellaneous
TOTAL: $1,190,913.72
Site Prep 1,052 acres
Plantings 973 acres on Forest
150 acres on U.S. Fish & Wildlife Refuge
Prescribed Burning 1,000 acres
A Historic Tree Grove was established in cooperation with 10 chapters of the S.C. Womens Clubs. Eleven historic trees were purchased from American Forest for planting.
Construction began on the Harbison State Forest Environmental Education Center.
Two outdoor leadership training workshops were conducted for 80 Boy Scout leaders.
The forest was used as a training site for wildlife officers and ROTC personnel.
Fifteen Boy Scout tours were conducted.
Seventy-five Boy Scouts earned Forestry Merit Badges.
Eighty Cub Scouts earned forestry pins.
Eight Boy Scouts attained the rank of Eagle Scout through projects completed on the forest.
Fifty-two school programs were conducted, with an attendance of 1250.
Thirty scout troops reserved the forest facilities for overnight camping and programs, with 950 scouts participating.
A publication was produced entitled "What Tree Is This", a tree identification booklet.
Management Activities:
Harbison experienced one wildfire during the year, with no appreciable damage.
Harbison continued a seven day week operation with an estimated attendance of 50-60,000.
During fiscal year 1995-96, seven agencies requested assistance from the State Lands Coordinator. The agencies and facilities were as follows:
Department of Natural Resources
Webb Wildlife Center
Samworth Wildlife Management Area
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area
Palachucola Wildlife Management Area
Mason Wildlife Management Area
Gopher Tortoise Heritage Preserve
S.C. Department of Mental Health
Pee Dee Mental Health Center
South Carolina State College
Camp Harry Daniels
Department of Corrections
McCormick Correctional Institution
S.C. Research Authority
Clemson Research Park
Carolina Research Park
Wil Lou Gray Opportunity School
S. C. Public Service Authority (Santee Coooper)
Old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base
Four state owned tracts were marked or cruised for timber sales. The total volume sold was 1.5 million board feet and 6,547 cords of pine sawtimber and pulpwood which generated $629,211 in revenue for state agencies.
250 acres of longleaf pine planted on Palachucola Wildlife Management Area. 150 acres of prescribed burn carried out on Heritage trust, Gopher Tortoise Preserve
The State Lands Coordinator served as an instructor in two wildlife management workshops at Webb Wildlife Center.
The State Lands Coordinator is assisting the U.S. Forest Service and South Carolina State College in the development of forest management demonstration areas at Camp Harry Daniels.
The State Lands Coordinator, area and project foresters are providing internal agency assistance with plans and timber marketing on newly acquired timberlands on the old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
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