Resource management guidelines for the Norris Watershed : an analysis of harvest scheduling alternatives

The objectives of this study were to identify multiple-use management goals through a public participation program and to develop management guideline proposals for the Norris Watershed. The goals and guidelines were applied to an interrelated problem involving the scheduling of the decadal harvest of the area. An opportunity cost approach was used to consider conflicting objectives. Scheduling alternatives that were developed for harvesting the merchantable stands on the watershed included: 1. Scheduling to maximize present value. 2. Scheduling to provide an annual even flow of sawtimber volume and concomitantly maximize present value. 3. Scheduling to improve forage production capacity. 4. Scheduling to minimize visual impact of timber harvesting. 5. Scheduling to retain the most mast production capability. 6. Scheduling to minimize present value. 7. Price response scheduling. These alternatives were compared on the basis of present value of future gross receipts generated from timber sales, total gross receipts generated over the harvest period, and sawtimber volume removals. Analysis showed that in terms of present value the opportunity costs of implementing a particular scheduling option were less than expected. However, some scheduling options were found to be more desirable in terms of annual budget planning. The price response scheduling alternative was found to have potentially desirable effects by maximizing the present value and the total gross receipts from future sales, and by holding volume removals to a minimum estimated allowable cut.