Forest along highway to be thinned

About 9,300 acres of forest land along Highway 20 will be mowed, thinned or burned over the next five to 10 years.

The forest lies adjacent to Highway 20 between Sisters and Forest Road 14 and is surrounded by private land, such as the Black Butte Ranch, Tollgate, Cascade Meadows Ranch and Indian Ford subdivisions.

Only trees less than eight inches in diameter will be cut, which means there will be no commercial timber harvest. Some thinning activity may provide sufficient material for commercial sale of posts, poles, or firewood.

Deschutes National Forest Supervisor Sally Collins signed the decision notice for the Highway 20 Integrated Vegetation Management Project on May 21. No appeals were received on Collins' decision, allowing the project to proceed as planned.

The goals of the project, as stated in the Environmental Assessment, are: to restore the ponderosa pine ecosystem; reduce the risk of wildfire; improve firefighter safety; maintain and enhance scenic views; and maintain or improve deer habitat.

District Landscape Architect Rick Dustin credits an extensive public review process and the fact that "we're not cutting any big trees" for the public's apparent support of what will be a very visible project to Sisters' residents and visitors.

"Because of the extent of public outreach we've done in the past couple years, people generally agree (with) and accept our concerns," Dustin said. "Because of field trips, surveys, events and meetings, we've ... built alternatives that are acceptable and respected. We want social concern to be part of our planning process."

District Environmental Coordinator Rod Bonacker described the activity people might see in the forests.

"They may see mechanical equipment or guys with chain saws near the highway or private property boundaries," he said. "They probably will see some prescribed burning in the spring, and maybe some mowing in the fall."

The mowing in fact began this September in the project units adjacent to Sage Meadow and Squaw Back Woods.

When the burning begins, probably in spring, Bonacker cautions drivers to watch for warning signs about smoke on the highway.

One of Dustin's primary concerns, as the landscape and "viewshed" expert, is the management of smoke from prescribed fires.

"People are concerned about seeing smoke in their view," he acknowledged. "We know there is public concern for trying to reduce the number of fuels, now the challenge is how to manage smoke."

Since the Highway 20 project will not include a timber sale, Dustin is also concerned about funding.

"We never rely on timber sales to do this kind of work," he said. "We cut small stuff only - posts and poles, so we need to find the money to do the job."

Dustin suggested an "adopt-an-acre" program, similar to Oregon Department of Transportation's Adopt-a Highway promotion.