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Residents will hear machinery as logging begins in FWPP; Flagstaff, Ariz., Aug. 9, 2017 – For Immediate Release:
As part of ongoing efforts in the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project, contractors will begin timber harvesting to thin trees on approximately 642 acres of National
Forest in the Dry Lake Hills along Schultz Creek and the base of Mt. Elden. This work is supported by a $10 million city bond approved by voters in 2012. Logging activities are necessary to reduce the risk of fire burning through the canopy of the forest,
which could cause severe post-fire flooding into the City of Flagstaff. Heavy truck traffic will occur on Forest Road 557 and FR 180 as the logging trucks are traveling to Interstates 40 and 17 to the mills. Previous work in this area included hand thinning and prescribed burning.
Construction of temporary roads will begin Friday and likely continue Saturday. The roads are needed
to remove cut trees as part of this fuels reduction project. After completion of the project, temporary roads will be closed and revegetated or returned to their previous condition.
Trail usage changes:
Lower Oldham Trail
will be closed. Rocky Ridge Trail
will be closed for the weekend Arizona National Scenic Trail
will be re-routed to keep it open, which will detour the trail through town. Road construction work is expected through August and logging operations will finish in December. These
operations may involve closures of areas and trails as work progresses throughout the Dry Lake Hills area.
These closures will change as the project progresses and will be posted, to include maps, at the Forest
information boards as well as online at https://www.fs.usda.gov/coconino
or www.flagstaffwatershedprotection.org.
As trails and areas are cleared, we will re-open them for public use as soon as they are safe. We will try our best to keep disruptions to a minimum. Visitors and residents should use caution while in the area. Be aware of working crews, logging trucks
and heavy equipment. The forest also presents overhead hazards, so look up frequently and stay safe. For additional information, contact the Flagstaff Ranger District at 928-526-0866.
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Attachment:
COC-NR-08-9-2017-Logging begins for FWPP_V2.pdf
Description: COC-NR-08-9-2017-Logging begins for FWPP_V2.pdf
