What logging method is used in Santa Cruz County?
The Southern Subdistrict of the Coast Forest District, of which Santa Cruz County is a part, requires selective cutting (14 CCR 913.8). Selective cutting allows timber operators to remove 60% of the conifers greater than 18″ in diameter (at chest height), and 50% of all those greater than 12″ in diameter. Since redwoods may sprout from the cut trunks, tree planting is generally not required to regenerate the forest. The area cannot be harvested again for a minimum of ten years. Some clear-cutting is allowed in Santa Cruz County under the 3-acre conversion exemption (14 CCR 1104.1 a). In addition, up to 1/2 acre can be clear-cut within a THP under (14 CCR 913.8b). What are the allowed hours of timber operations in Santa Cruz County? (14 CCR 926.9, 926.10) Chainsaws are restricted to the hours between 7 am and 9 pm. No chainsaws may operate on weekends or holidays. You can request to have log hauling restricted during commute hours and school bussing hours. Enforcement of Timber Harvesti
