3 Goals, Objectives and Constraints

3 Goals, Objectives and Constraints

The process of writing a successful report is based heavily on adequately defining the problem. The direction taken in defining the problem was based on the Technical Report Guidelines, provided to the University of Washington Design Team by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The first step in defining the problem is to state the goal of the report. According to the Technical Report Guidelines, the definition of goal is the desired future condition. For this report, there are two goal statements, one by the DNR and one by the University of Washington Design Team.

3.1.1 DNR Goal Statement

Receive a timber harvesting schedule that includes engineered road designs, a comparison between conventional and alternative yarding systems, a detailed road management plan, and a 10 year development schedule using Scheduling and Network Analysis Program 3.19 (SNAP).

3.1.2 University of Washington Goal Statement

Provide a timber harvesting schedule that examines harvesting activities through fiscal year 2009 and ensures that the future productivity of trust lands fit within the Department of Natural Resources larger management goals as described in the Habitat Conservation Plan.

3.2 Objectives

Once the report goal has been clearly stated, objectives need to be defined in relation to accomplishing the goal of the report. Objectives state the direction and rate to move current conditions towards meeting the goal statement. The objectives for this report not only relate to the goal statement, but also can be tied into the economics of timber harvesting. Figure 2 relates the report objectives (Biological, Physical, Technical, and Social) to an economic triangle demonstrating what is considered to be economically feasible and infeasible.

Figure 2. Economic triangle demonstrating the relationship between objectives and economics.

3.2.1 Biological

The biological objective for the Hoodsport DNR block is to take the current biological conditions and implement various biological techniques over the next 10 years. This includes looking at various leave tree strategies that will most likely meet the habitat requirements for various endangered species (i.e. Marbled Murrelet, Spotted Owl). It also provides information about seral stages and important design information such as turn weights in the planning area. 3.2.2 Physical/Technical The physical/technical objective for the Hoodsport DNR block is to take the current physical/technical conditions and move in a positive direction over the next 10 years. This includes decommissioning roads that are not being used for an extended period of time and design full bench on side slopes greater than 40 percent. It helps identify sensitive zones where specific yarding systems should be employed. 3.2.3 Social The social objective for the Hoodsport DNR block is to take the current social perceptions of timber harvesting and improve upon those current perceptions over the next 10 years. This includes harvesting less on hillsides that are visible to recreationalists and looking at the application of visual quality software.

3.3 Constraints

The last step in defining the problem is to identify any project constraints. A constraint is a clearly functionally proposed solution that is directly linked to a specific objective. For example, Riparian Management Zones (RMZs) requirements is a constraint related to biological objectives, yarding distances is a constraint related to physical/technical objectives, and access to land is a constraint related to social objectives.

3.3.1 Riparian Management Zone Requirements

During the design process, requirements and protection of buffers significantly limited the capabilities of yarding equipment and the placement of roads. For instance, roads crossing over stream types 1,2,3 require the installation of a bridge versus the placement of culverts. This has a significant impact on road construction costs. 3.3.2 Yarding Distances The analysis of yarding distances relies on the topography of the area to be harvested and the availability of adequate tailholds. Careful consideration must be given when placing tailholds. For example, it is not recommended to place a tailhold or tailspar in an area that has already been harvested. 3.3.3 Access to Land The available access to land was a constraint on the design process due to different ownership of parcels of land. United States Forest Service lands and other private landowners within the HOODSPORT DNR block primarily surround the HOODSPORT DNR block. Back | Cover Page | Table of Contents | Next