Logging planned in Mt. McPherson area this winter due to Douglas fir beetle.
Woodlot 1834 is planning to harvest a cutblock in the vicinity of the Flowdown trail. Woodlots are small scale forest tenures. This woodlot has been operated by two Revelstoke families in the Mt. McPherson area for for almost 20 years.
The current situation is of concern for the following reasons:
- Public safety: Heavy Fir beetle infestation is present in the upper portion of the block. There are many green, red, and grey attack trees in close proximity to the trail. The dead Douglas fir snags pose a hazard to trail users.
- Forest heath: The Douglas fir beetle infestation is expected to continue to spread if the area is not harvested.
- Economic impact: The Douglas fir trees impacted by the fir beetle will degrade and are expected to no longer be marketable within 5 years.
Harvest Plan:
-Harvesting is intended to mitigate the safety hazard posted to recreation users by dead Douglas Fir adjacent to the Flowdown Trail.
-Harvesting all impacted and susceptible Douglas Fir while retaining a minium of 25% of the basal area of all other species. We anticipate 40-60% of the canopy will remain.
-Logging in the winter will allow very minimal damage to the trail as most of the skid roads will be above the snow.
Rehab Plan:
-Skid crossings over the Flowdown trail are designated in the field and will be restored to the pre-logging condition in the spring following harvest
-Woodlot 1834 is committed to repairing any impacted portion of the Flowdown trail in the spring following harvest.