Discussion on the Red Apple Forest Management Project
By Paul Hall on Thursday, December 2nd, 2021 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News
LA GRANDE – During the Union County Commissioners’ meeting, Wednesday, the Red Apple Forest Management Project at Mount Emily Recreational area (MERA) was discussed with numerous written comments that are opposed to the project. One of many comments urged the Commissioners’ to reconsider the timing of the plan of logging the Mount Emily Area. The comment went on and said with the project being implemented the concerns of the current recreation trail system would be compromised.
Sean Chambers, parks Coordinator read the following statement during the meeting.
(Statement by Sean Chambers)The Mt. Emily Recreation Area was purchased by Union County in 2008 for its recreational values and resource management opportunities. To guide our forest management activities is the Forest Management Plan developed by the Society of American Foresters, Blue Mountain Chapter and adopted by the MERA Advisory Committee and Union County Commissioners in 2013. The County utilizes the services of professional forester Chuck Sarrett to carry out the forest plan.
In February of 2020, the MERA Advisory Committee began a discussion of treating the non-motorized portion of MERA and it has been an agenda item at all MERA meetings since then including a Commission work session in August of 2020 followed by a field review at the Owsley Canyon Trailhead on August 25. September 17, 2020, an RFP was issued for the Red Apple Forest Improvement Project, no bids were received.
Project planning has continued since that time and has been an agenda item at all MERA Advisory Committee meetings up to this point. In anticipation of reposting the Request for Proposal, an additional field review was made available to the public on November 10, 2021. The public expressed interest in holding off on posting the RFP until further planning was considered. The RFP was postponed to allow further dialogue which brings us to today.
We are here to discuss the challenging task of managing a piece of our community’s landscape that is the tip of the iceberg to the forest beyond. The goals of the project are to improve forest health and promote a fire-resilient forest that is showcased with our trail system. We all appreciate what a gem this is for our community and are intent on making it shine brighter. No one here is interested in degrading MERA the forest or trails. This project will have some short-term impacts but will be improved for the future.
The trails and protection of will be communicated to the selected contractor. Trail corridors of the Red Apple, Rock Garden, Lower Hotshot, and MERA Loop will be flagged to help the contractor identify the location and avoid damage and limit crossings. Damages that may be incurred will be repaired by Union County and workforces funded by project proceeds.
Revenues realized from the project will be reinvested exclusively into MERA, trail repairs/developments; weed management, ODF fire protection costs, further forest management, and cash match for grant opportunities. These are all activities that will be addressed through the budget process.
Due to concern for public safety, there will be a need to coordinate area-specific closures. These closures will be limited and may allow for weekend access, something to be coordinated with a selected contractor. The project area is approximately 300 acres of a total MERA acreage of 3,700. Many opportunities to recreate on MERA will still be made available to all.
I live, work, and play on this mountain. I have been on notice watching how other communities have been affected by wildfire in our state, region, and worldwide. A major contributing factor to these devastating events is the mismanagement of natural resources. MERA forest management activities taken on to this point are to restore a healthy forest that is more fire resilient. I want my grandkids and generations beyond to be able to enjoy MERA.
The plan and the professionals recommend that we treat this area. I recommend the same.
BOARD ACTION: Approving the posting of the RFP will allow the MERA Department to continue moving this project forward.The action taken by the county commissioners’ was that more public input is needed and further review is needed of the plan by county staff. For now, it is considered a work in progress.
