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Campground Hazard Tree Removal
Great Basin National Park » Campground Hazard Tree Removal » Document List
Great Basin National Park is proposing to mechanically remove hazard trees for the safety and protection of park visitors and employees and protection of property in the Baker Creek, Lower Lehman Creek, Upper Lehman Creek, Wheeler Peak and Strawberry Creek Campgrounds. A hazard tree refers to a tree which can have the potential for failure because of a structural defect and that has potential to result in property damage or personal injury. Insect infestations and other forest pathogens have caused damage to many trees in the campgrounds and throughout the park over the years. This problem requires the park's immediate attention for removing hazard trees within all the campgrounds. The total combined acreage in which work will be performed will be 75 acres.
The benefits of this proposed project will be to provide a safe environment for park visitors and employees within the campgrounds, prevent damage to buildings and campsite structures, stimulate understory vegetation for wildlife, create defensible space by reducing fuel accumulations, and improve ecological condition to several small segments of the park.
The process of hazard tree removal consists of identification of the hazard, marking the trees for felling, felling the tree with chainsaws, removal of downed material either by chipping or transport, and restoration of areas. The proposed work will start in April, 2011 and continue for up to 8 weeks. Specific daily starting and ending times, including work days and areas of work within the campgrounds have not yet been established. It is anticipated the work will begin with the removal of hazard trees from the lower elevation campgrounds and progress to the higher elevation campgrounds as conditions allow. During working hours, park visitors and employees may experience temporary closures of sites, trails and roadways, increased noise, and increased traffic through the campgrounds. Large trucks carrying loads of wood materials may be encountered on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, Baker Creek Road, or Highway 488 toward the town of Baker. Access around work areas will be controlled for safety purposes.
The benefits of this proposed project will be to provide a safe environment for park visitors and employees within the campgrounds, prevent damage to buildings and campsite structures, stimulate understory vegetation for wildlife, create defensible space by reducing fuel accumulations, and improve ecological condition to several small segments of the park.
The process of hazard tree removal consists of identification of the hazard, marking the trees for felling, felling the tree with chainsaws, removal of downed material either by chipping or transport, and restoration of areas. The proposed work will start in April, 2011 and continue for up to 8 weeks. Specific daily starting and ending times, including work days and areas of work within the campgrounds have not yet been established. It is anticipated the work will begin with the removal of hazard trees from the lower elevation campgrounds and progress to the higher elevation campgrounds as conditions allow. During working hours, park visitors and employees may experience temporary closures of sites, trails and roadways, increased noise, and increased traffic through the campgrounds. Large trucks carrying loads of wood materials may be encountered on the Wheeler Peak Scenic Drive, Baker Creek Road, or Highway 488 toward the town of Baker. Access around work areas will be controlled for safety purposes.