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Public Invited to Harvest Forest Products |
Ann Bond | 7/2/08
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The U.S. Forest Service and BLM are offering several opportunities for the public to gather forest products under permit in selected areas in the Durango, Bayfield and Pagosa Springs areas in an effort to reduce fuels buildup and lower fire danger near communities. The available forest products range from firewood to posts and poles; all materials will require a permit to gather.
 East of Durango, precut, pre-limbed and pre-topped ponderosa pines are available under permit for use as firewood, posts or poles in the aftermath of a fuels-reduction project completed this spring on a 24-acre BLM parcel surrounded by private property in the Rabbit Mountain area. The area is accessed via County Road 502.
North of Durango, large amounts of Rocky Mountain juniper are available under permit for personal or commercial use in the Tripp Gulch area north of Durango prior to a fuels-reduction project. The standing juniper trees range from 30 to 50 feet in height, with an average 10- to 12-inch diameter. The trees are straight, with few limbs and very little taper, and would work well for use as posts, rails, coyote fencing, latias, furniture or firewood. A limited number of permits will be issued to individuals wanting large quantities.
In the Pagosa Springs area, juniper posts are available under permit at a cutting area across from the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area Visitors Center. Green standing pines are available for cutting for use as poles along the Brockover Road, lower Turkey Springs Road and in Echo Canyon on the Pagosa Ranger District.
To obtain permits or more information on products available in the Durango and Bayfield areas, contact Beth Vance, Columbine Small Sales Forester at 970 884-1411. To obtain permits or more information on products available near Pagosa Springs, contact Gretchen Fitzgerald, Pagosa Small Sales Forester at 264-1535. Permits are available at all San Juan Public Lands offices in southwest Colorado. |
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