Summit County: Sections of recpath to close for tree work

Posted on May 20, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Short closures enhance public safety

Summit County.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Some sections of the recpath will be closed intermittently the next few weeks as crews remove hazard trees that could fall down across the path.

“This work is critical to maintaining a safe facility,” said Brad Eckert, Open Space and Trails Resource Specialist.  “We thank the Recpath and natural surface trail users for their patience during these operations.”

The work is scheduled to begin May 21 and continue for approximately 3 weeks.  A Cut Above Forestry will complete the work on behalf of the County. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, Dillon, Frisco, Summit County Colorado, Summit County news | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Summit County: USFS seals several logging deals

Posted on September 22, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

More forest health and hazard tree removal is scheduled for Summit County.

Key subdivisions set for tree removal projects targeted by community wildfire protection plan

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — The U.S. Forest Service has sealed deals for several forest stewardship and hazard tree projects in Summit and Eagle counties, including a key stewardship contract for work the Frisco Peninsula, the Meadow Creek trailhead, Salt Lick, Lake Hill (between I-70 and the Dillon Dam Road), Wildernest, Mesa Cortina, Ruby Ranch, Three Peaks/Eagles Nest, Pebble Creek and Sierra Bosque.

The price tag for the the work, covering 1,396 acres, is $1.4 million —  or about $1,000 per acre. The work should be done in the next two years.

Additionally, the agency has contracted for hazard tree removal work along 31 miles of Forest Service roads, including Spring Creek (FSR 23), Lower Spring Creek (FSR 1832), First Cut Across (FSR 1833), Elliot Ridge (FSR 1834) and Keystone Gulch (FSR 175).

The public can expect delays and potentially short term road closures this fall and throughout next summer. Project activity and road closure information will be posted on the White River National Forest web site as needed.

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Sen. Udall seeking another $50 million for forest work

Posted on July 25, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Sen. Mark Udall, left, discusses forest health work with Paul Semmer, a lands specialist with the Dillon Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service.

Udall’s Summit County visit includes a stop at a clear-cut beetle-kill area near Dillon Reservoir on Denver Water land


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By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — U.S. Senator Mark Udall (D-Colorado) said he’s looking for another $50 million for the U.S. Forest Service to pay for emergency tree-clearing near neighborhoods and critical infrastructure in forests hit hard by mountain pine beetles.

It’s not getting any easier to win support for forest funding in Washington, D.C. these days, as elected officials are distracted by upcoming elections, the continuing economic crisis and other national problems, but during a short stop Sunday afternoon in Dillon, Udall said he would work with other western senators to keep the funds flowing. (more…)

Filed under: Environment, forests, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Rangers start cutting hazard trees near Summit trails

Posted on July 7, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

Beetle-killed lodgepoles surround the Old Dillon Reservoir trailhead in Summit County.

Tree-clearing planned along 20 miles of trail this summer, with 100 miles next year


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By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY —  The Tenderfoot Trail near Dillon, will be closed Thursday and Friday (July 8 & 9) as a crew of U.S. Forest Service tree specialists cut down beetle-killed lodgepoles that could fall on hikers. Altogether, the agency plans to clear trees from alongside 20 miles of trail this summer, with an additional 100 miles planned for next year.

“The trees will be left on site adjacent to the trail,” said Ken Waugh, recreation staff officer for the Dillon Ranger District. “We understand this will reduce the visual quality for trail users. However, public safety will be greatly improved.” Read all our stories on the White River National Forest here. (more…)

Filed under: forest fires, forests, pine beetles and wildfires, Summit County Colorado | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 4 Comments »

Forest Service: Be wary of falling trees!

Posted on June 18, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

The Forest Service has cleared some of the dead lodgepoles from around the parking area at the Old Dillon Reservoir trail, but the threat of falling trees persists along the trail.

Rains, wind and dead lodgepoles create potential hazard for national forest visitors

By Summit Voice

Summit County — Recent rains and forecast windy conditions have prompted the U.S. Forest Service to warn of falling trees. Hikers should avoid dense patches of dead trees that can fall without warning, and should head for a clearing, out of the reach of falling trees, if winds pick up, rangers said.

Campers should also be aware of where they set up tents and park cars, the Forest Service said in a set of safety guidelines for national forest visitors. Motorists traveling on forest roads should also carry a chainsaw or an axe to remove trees that could fall across the road. (more…)

Filed under: Dillon Ranger District, Environment, forests, pine beetles and wildfires, public lands, recreation, Summit County Colorado, US Forest Service, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment »

Will the beetle battle hurt other Forest Service programs?

Posted on March 2, 2010 by Bob Berwyn

The U.S. Forest Service has cleared beetle-killed trees from the Old Dillon Reservoir trailhead parking area, but trails just a few yards from the parking lot are still surrounded by dead trees that could fall over at any moment. How far can the agency go to reduce the danger to hikers? PHOTO BY BOB BERWYN.

Regional forester Rick Cables acknowledges concerns, but says $30 million cash infusion will enable the agency to maintain funding and staff for wilderness, recreation and wildlife programs at existing levels

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — A big push by the U.S. Forest Service to try and clear a sea of beetle-killed trees from campgrounds, trail heads and other developed sites could have unintended consequences for the agency and the public lands it manages.

Some local public land stewardship and advocacy groups are concerned that focus on hazard trees could divert resources from other programs that are already short of funds and staff, including wilderness and recreation management.

“My personal opinion is that it’s going to affect other areas, maybe to the point where the visitor experience is affected,” said Currie Craven, who serves on the boards of the Friends of the Eagles Nest Wilderness and the Friends of the Dillon Ranger District.

For now, the Forest Service can’t say exactly how the shift in priorities will affect other programs. But regional forester Rick Cables is hopeful the agency will be able to deliver services on level comparable to the past few years. Get more information at the Forest Service bark beetle web site and see the end of this post, where the agency’s 2007-20011 bark beetle plan is posted in a Scribd.com window.

“The good news is, we got $30 million more as a region,” Cables said, acknowledging that, prior to last year’s allocation of extra funds, the Forest Service had been looking at a “drastic re-allocation” of resources to address the public health and safety issues posed by beetle-killed trees.

(more…)

Filed under: Environment, federal government, Forest health, pine beetles and wildfires, public lands, recreation, Summit County Colorado, US Forest Service | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | 2 Comments »

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