Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests

Wenatchee River Ranger District
600 Sherbourne
Leavenworth, WA 98826

509. 548-2550 or 548.2551 Voice
509.548.5817 Fax

Forestry Sciences Laboratory
1133 N. Western
Wenatchee, WA 98801

509.662-4315 Voice
509.664.2742 Fax

USDA Forest Service
Okanogan National Forest

Winthrop, WA— Winter logging is underway on the Methow Valley Ranger District in the Wolf Creek area west of Winthrop Washington. The timber sale is part of a hazardous fuel reduction project designed to reduce wildfire intensity by thinning trees on National Forest lands. Planning and analysis for the project took place in 2008 and included coordinating with interested groups and adjacent landowners who have been actively managing timber stands on their private lands to reduce fuels.

To protect the hydrology of the area, the Forest Service determined winter logging was necessary to minimize the potential for compaction and impacts to intermittent stream channels. However, the winter logging will have some impacts to skiers who use the Community Trail. “We want to thank skiers for their understanding and support for the low impact logging techniques to protect the hydrology of the area” said Michael Liu, District Ranger.

The Community Trail is groomed and operated by Methow Valley Sports Trails Association and passes through portions of the Timber Sale Area near Brown’s Farm.

The Forest Service has been working closely with MVSTA and with the timber sale operator to find ways to minimize impacts to the trail. “For safety reasons, we will have short delays for skiers on the trail when tree falling or skidding are occurring. However, these will be limited to weekdays and the trail will remain open,” said Michael Liu.
Logging equipment will cross the Community Trail in one or two places near Brown’s Farm. These crossings will be approximately 20 feet wide and clearly marked with signs. Skiers may need to remove their skis and walk across the crossings. Logging impacts to the trail will occur during the next two weeks.

“We don’t know if there will be logging near the Goat Creek SnoPark later this winter," said Ranger Liu, “but if there is, we’ll be working with the logger and MVSTA to minimize impact to the trail and to skiers.”

District Ranger, Michael Liu met with Methow Valley Sports Trail Association Monday afternoon to review the work needed and to look for opportunities for completing that work with as little impact as possible to trail users.

“Methow Valley hosts visitors from around the world who come to enjoy the area’s excellent system of trails. The trails are important to our local residents and to the economy of the area,” said Liu. “This hazardous fuels reduction work needs to take place, and it has to happen over the snow to protect important resource values. We want to do everything we can to accomplish the work safely, while having as little impact as possible on those using the trail system this winter.”

For more information about the Lucky Timber Sale please contact the District at 509-996-4000.

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