TREE TALK
by Gary Martin
How’s it going this month! Time for wildflowers! One of my favorite times of year to be outdoors. With so many different things happening in the forest, there’s always an opportunity for us to talk about “perceptions”. When something new appears on the landscape, we each will have our own “notion” about what’s going on. I like this word “notion”. In keeping with our trivia contests, can you name the movie that I’m thinking of? (Hint: there are some cool logging scenes in it.) Different notions keep life interesting. We had a logging operation along State Highway 155 that may have grabbed your attention. This particular spot has a big, visual difference in “before” and “after”. There were a lot of trees before and now there are no trees. A first perception upon seeing this, may be that it’s a “forestry thing”. It looks like “forestry” is doing a “clearcut”. That’s very understandable. All the trees have been cut. I might have this notion myself. How about if we look further, into what’s happening here.
There’s a home here. This may lead us to change our first perception. Our Natural Resources Program helps manage all kinds of different land ownerships on the Reservation. Taking care of individual “allotments” is a big part of that responsibility.
If an allotment has trees, then “forestry” gets involved. The process often starts, with the allotment owner writing the BIA Superintendent a letter, requesting that forestry look at their timber. We then check out the tree situation and make a recommendation. If a forestry/logging treatment is prescribed, we then check out the legal “ownership” of the land. Some allotments have one, single “owner” and some have many “owners”. We mail out an information package that includes a description of the recommended treatment, information about “10% Administrative Fees”, a “Cultural Resources Form” and a “Power of Attorney” form. There’s a lot of paperwork and research involved. Allotment projects go through the same Natural Resources process as a “regular” timber sale. If the majority of the landowners desire to have the forestry treatment done, we proceed with the process. . One of our main “forestry” objectives is to help people with their trees. We attempt to make recommendations that will benefit both the forest and the landowner. Sometimes, an allotment has one, sole “owner”. That owner may have objectives for their land and trees that may be different than what “forestry” would recommend. This is OK. The landowner can express their objectives in their letter to the BIA Superintendent and in their discussions with forestry. This is OK. The landowners’ proposal still goes through the planning process. If their proposal is approved, then something different may take place on the ground, than what “forestry” would have recommended.
When there’s a home on the land, an objective may be to make things safer. A lot of trees may get harvested that were close to the home. An objective may be to clear a spot for a new home, or building. A lot of trees may get harvested to help make this happen. An objective may be to “clear” the land in order to start an agricultural crop or an orchard. Perhaps, a horse pasture is desired by the landowner. Again, the objectives of the landowner come into play. Perhaps an objective other than long term management of the forest will be approved. Perhaps the land will be “cleared” of trees. If this happens, that particular piece of land will be taken out of the forest management base. A lot of things take place “before” and things will be different “after”. What “happens” may not entirely be a “forestry thing”. My notion is that forestry and the loggers are helping a landowner reach their objectives.
Before I end up talking too much, I thought of another “perception” example. You may go by a quaking aspen stand. These are very pretty trees. You may notice that all the other trees have been cut. It would be understandable to wonder what’s going on here. It may appear to be a “clearcut”. May I suggest that there could be more going on here. First impressions happen fast. That’s OK. One of the cool things about forestry is that there are usually lots of things involved with what visually appears on the landscape. Perhaps there’s an interesting story about the ecology of aspen trees. Perhaps there’s even something happening underground that we don’t see. Perhaps some other natural resource objectives came into play. Sounds like a good tree mystery for a future “talk”. Have a safe, great spring! Enjoy the wildflowers and we’ll talk with you again next month! J
Colville Reservation Conservation District
Colville Reservation Conservation District met March 10 with Dick Gooby, who is the Executive Director of Indian Nations Conservation Alliance from Dillon, Montana. Colville reservation Conservation District (CRCD) is one of 26 tribal conservation districts in the United States. Dick is working with CRCD to guide them through a planning process, for a 7 Generation Plan for conservation of natural resources.
Our vision states we will assist and Create Awareness in the Practice of Conservation within the lands of the Colville Reservation. We will do this by taking available technical, financial and educational resources, whatever their source and focus or coordinate them so that they meet the needs of the local land user for conservation of the soil, water and related resources.
In January, CRCD hired Angie Bales as administrative assistant, she will be glad to answer any questions you may have about the district. Our office is located in the WSU/NRCS building at 888 Methow St. We are open on Thursdays from 8 – 4:30. You may call at 509-634-2374 or e-mail angie.bales@wa.usda.gov. Our meetings are the 3rd Thursday of each month at 10 a.m., and open to the public.
The CRCD board members are Dale Smith, Chairman – Okanogan representative, Supervisors: Luanne Finley – Ferry Co. representative, Larry Covington – Nespelem District, Michael Watts – Omak District, Walt Arnold – Keller District (is very interested in this position) and we are searching for an Inchelium District member. If you have an interest in this position please contact the office, or one of the board members. Martin Bales NRCS and Randy Kelley NRCS District Conservationist are our advisors.