(SitNews) Ketchikan, Alaska - The Vallenar Young-growth Project final decision was signed on May 24, 2018, by Ketchikan Misty Fjords District Ranger Susan Howle. The selected action makes available approximately 155 acres of the 886 acres in the project area.

The final decision makes available approximately 4 MMBF of young-growth timber for harvest, reconditions approximately 1.2 miles of road and helps to restore hydrologic function in the Vallenar Creek Watershed.

The Vallenar Project is located on the northernmost end of Gravina Island, about 4 miles northwest of Ketchikan. According to a Forest Service news release, a contract is expected to be awarded by the end of FY 2018. 

The Forest Service says this project is consistent with the 2016 Tongass Forest Plan which directs the transition to a young-growth dominant timber industry. Timber from this sale is all young-growth and will be made available to help industries develop strategies for the young growth market.

The forested young growth stands in the proposed project area are between 60 and 70 years old. The area being considered for harvest lies entirely within an area previously harvested in the 1950’s.

On the Web:

Decision Notice for the Vallenar Young-growth Project [PDF]- May 24, 2018

Project documents

Scoping Information Proposed Vallenar Young-growth Project

 

Editing by Mary Kauffman, SitNews

Source of News:

US Forest Service - Tongass National Forest
www.fs.usda.gov

 

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