The Health Of The Forest
Sonora, CA — Tuolumne County Board of Supervisors Chairman Randy Hanvelt outlines his concerns about managing the forest in his new blog. He states “Our forests are overgrown and stressed. In its current state, the forest is a liability to itself and a public safety hazard. That condition is worsening.”
Hanvelt states, “the Stanislaus National forest is growing some where between 300 and 350 Million Board Feet (MBF) of timber per year. The harvest plan for this year which includes biomass and firewood is on the order of 20 MBF or less.” He describes a need for a balance and lists reasons for taking action in managing the forest. His list includes public safety, physical protection of a valuable natural resource, improving and maintaining the health of the resource, protecting water, habitat protection, recreation and a list of economic considerations.
He says “I suggest we let rational timber harvest pay for Forest maintenance, include meadow and stream restorations which are all good. That money can be used to pay for schools and roads in rural areas as well.”
Hanvelts blog is titled “Summary of Forest Issues” located on myMotherLode in the community section here.
