Forest health explored along the Metolius Basin

Brian Tandy (left) and Rob Schantz describe forest treatment options in the forests near Camp Sherman.

Visiting the Metolius Basin forest near Camp Sherman last Saturday, September 14, silviculturists Rob Schantz and Brian Tandy along with ecologist Maret Pajutee explained plans for forest management in the area to local citizens.

Recent fires have generated renewed concerns about local forest issues. The current draft plans cover about 17,000 forest acres near Camp Sherman (14,000 of which are public lands) and include five alternative scenarios.

These deal with thinning, mowing, harvesting, controlled burning and restoration in the forest with forest health, human safety and natural beauty in mind.

Reminding the group about the fragile nature of some of the species involved, Pajutee told the group that Peck's penstemon is only found in this local area, an area covering about 300 square miles.

Some concerns have been expressed regarding the size of trees to be removed from the largely ponderosa pine forest. The most aggressive plan (Alternate 5) offers no tree size limit and offers a Larch restoration proposal.

The plan favored by the Forest Service is Alternate 4 suggesting a maximum diameter of 21 inches (25 inches for white fir) for trees to be cut.

Alternate 3 calls for maximum tree diameters of 16 inches (21 inches for white fir). Alternate 2 calls for 12 inch diameter maximums and about 7,000 acres treated with controlled burns.

Alternate 1, a Federal mandatory inclusion, calls for no action.

"To put this in perspective, a 21-inch diameter tree is about 'tree-hugging' size," said Brian Tandy. "The larger size limit on white fir is because these trees are more susceptible to disease and fire damage and have been increasing in the local area."

The ponderosa pine life span in the Metolius Basin is about 300-500 years, according to Tandy.

"The average age for a large yellow-barked pine is about 275 years old," said Rob Shantz.

"They grow about a foot a year and max out at 130-140 feet in height," added Tandy.

Disturbances to forest health include insect parasites, root fungus diseases, dwarf mistletoe, winter ice and snow, fire and spruce budworm.

There are costs associated with these plans.

The current two-year survey (2000-2002) will cost about $200,000. The time is needed to comply with the Northwest Forest Plan, the Land and Resources Management Plan and other federal requirements. There are also about 400 stands of trees to be examined in the Metolius Basin.

If thinning and forest health restoration are approved it will take 5 to 10 years to complete the work. Average costs per acre are $180 for underburning, $615 for machine cutting and $695 for hand cutting. Those costs would be applied over 17,000 acres.

Some money may be recovered from timber sales.

At least one Camp Sherman resident thinks the Forest Service should move forward.

"We should look ahead and plan for what we now know and not look back and criticize for mistakes of the past," said Kent Gill, Board member of Friends of the Metolius.

Comment and questions on these proposals may be directed to the Sisters Ranger District, 549-7700.