Purpose and Introduction

The Audience
This publication is written as a guide for foresters, loggers, landowners, and other resource managers. the practices recommended are designed to be used as voluntary guidelines to improve and enhance the aesthetics fo forest operations in the South. Implementing reasonable, achievable, and cost-effective guidelines will help shape the future of the forest products industry. These guidelines are intended to support and ensure private landowners' opportunities to manage their forestland sustainably with full respect for their private property rights.

The Concern
Forestry operations are highly visible and are subject to the perceptions and opinions of an environmentally aware public. These operations may have a dramatic visual impact on the forest landscape. The image of the forest products industry is directly influenced by the scenic quality of forest operations. Conducting these operations in an aesthetically acceptable manner is important to the future of the forest industry. We believe that concerns about the aesthetics of forest operations can be addressed by using these voluntary guidelines.

Photo: South Carolina Forestry Commission

The Goal
The goal of this guide is to provide assistance in addressing aesthetics in conducting all forest operations. The voluntary guidelines contained in this publication are intended to complement state best management practices (BMPs).

Aesthetics Planning
Advance planning is recommended for each operation as a proactive approach to improving forest aesthetics. Full consideration must be given to the visual aspects and concerns of each forestry operation. Overall management objectives and special considerations play a key role in aesthetics planning. Flexibility in operational planning and in applying these guidelines is necessary when addressing catastrophes, varying ownership patterns, different forest types, and unique conditions. Planning for aesthetic quality is an integral part of the comprehensive plan of future activities.

Sensitivity
Forest operations are conductive in areas of varying degrees of visual sensitivity. These operations can be viewed from travel routes and recreational areas which include highways, roads, trails, lakes and waterways, resorts, campgrounds, and picnic areas. Forest areas may be classified into different levels of visual sensitivity.

Photo: Weyerhaeuser Company

Level #1: Least Sensitive

Level 1 applies to travel routes or recreational areas, not included in Level 2 or 3, where visual quality is of low concern to typical users. Examples include public roads and low-traffic forest roads.

Level #2: Moderately Sensitive

Level 2 applies to travel routes or recreational areas, not included in Level 1, where visual quality is of moderate concern to typical users. Examples include public highways and roads, recreational lakes and waterways, and designated recreational trails that provide moderate to high scenic quality but less significant public use.

Level #3: Most Sensitive

Level 3 applies to travel routes and areas where significant public use occurs and whre visual quality is of high concern to typical users. Examples include public highways and roads, recreational lakes and waterways, and designated recreational trails and areas that provide a high level of scenic quality.