USFS displays Camp Sherman plans

The Forest Service is thinning tree stands in Camp Sherman and doing other work to protect the land from fire (see “Cutting trees to protect the forest,” The Nugget, February 23, page 6).

Sisters District Ranger Bill Anthony brought his team to Camp Sherman’s Community Hall on Thursday, February 24, to make a courtesy heads-up call to alert local people to future plans in the area.

Funding, as usual, remains a major problem.

“Our funds have been cut 9 percent this year,” Anthony told his audience of about 30 people.

“We expect to be cut 5 to 10 percent each year over the next five years,” he continued. “This will slow some of the projects that we had planned for local areas in Camp Sherman and Sisters forests.”

Meanwhile some approved forest projects are already underway. Along Road 14, there are piles of small trees that have been cut. These may be sold for poles, posts, or firewood, according to Anthony, thus generating more funds for other treatment projects.

Kirk Metsker reported on his projects, which will include mowing, thinning and prescribed burns in local areas near Camp Sherman.

“We’ve treated about 240 acres so far and hope to do about 1,300 acres this year. Correctional crews will be added during the summer to help with this work,” he said.

Another project, described by Dave Moyer, will treat about 525 acres.

“We asked for $274,000 to clear 1,000 acres and received only $142,000,” he said. “We’re scrambling for dollars.”

All of these projects are aimed at additional fuel reduction in forested areas, Anthony said.

“We are careful to study soil and water quality conditions in the treated project areas; also, weed reduction and maintaining spotted owl habitat.

“About 95,000 acres were included in the B&B and Link fire areas,” said Anthony. “We are preparing an Environmental Impact Statement that will be available this spring. No decision has been made and there will be a 45-day public comment period after its release. Hard choices lie ahead.”