2023 Forest Stewardship Plan

[msimerson]

• contract with a Consulting Forester (Phil Hess of Cle Elum)
• schedule site survey (June 13)
• receive completed Forest Stewardship Plan (Jul 10)
• schedule DNR cost share designation visit
• do the work

Contacts:

• DNR: Amanda Moody, Nolan Brewer
• Forestry Consultant: Phil Hess

Project Goals

• improve fire resilience
• improve wildlife habitat (see Snags, Logs, Legacy, Openings, Patches, Piles and Shrubs) below
• improve resistance to root disease and other pests

2013-01-17

The Forest Stewardship Plan itself is also eligible for DNR cost share
We need the ground free of snow in order to identify and describe the herbaceous and shrub layers so we are most likely looking at June or later to do the field work.
Will stay in touch……
Again, thank you for this opportunity to assist with your forest stewardship!
Phil Hess
Consulting Forester

2023-01-10

Cost Share Approval: $1,010, expires 2023-06-20

Matt,
Here is my proposal for a Forest Stewardship Plan (FSP) for the Mountaineers property by Stampede Pass (TPN 606535):
Not to exceed $3,700 - I am thinking it will take the better part of two days for me and my forest tech to complete the field work then I will need some time to prepare the plan. This will include an on-site visit with you (and others) after you have reviewed the Plan and may have questions or want explanations/clarifications.
Phil Hess

2022-11-04

Jim and Matt met with Amanda at Meany, discussed our goals and how the DNR will partner with us and help. Follow up email from Amanda:

Matt,
Thank you for meeting me out at the lodge, even with the uncooperative weather! I have put you on our list for when our funding becomes available. I wanted to follow-up and provide some information so you and your partners can plan the next step.

First definitely reach out to some foresters about a forest management plan. This will be great for the property and maintaining the health of the forest. You can reach out to foresters through the WSU directory: Directory | Extension Forestry | Washington State University (wsu.edu) Let them know you would like to get a new plan made for your property and are planning to enroll in the DNR Cost Share for new management plans, but you have to wait until we can send you an approval of funding (hopefully son but we don’t have a realistic timeframe of when yet!). DNR requires that plans meet the WA forest management plans guidelines Microsoft Word - IntegratedForestManagementPlanGuidelines21412FINAL .docx (wa.gov)

When spring is here and before you plan to do any on the ground treatment call us back out and we can do a site visit to plan a 5 acre fuel reduction and forest health cost share.

I have attached some other informational handouts that I think you and your group may find helpful. Let me know if you have any further questions!

Forest Stewardship / Wildfire Resilience / Forest Health

Email to sflo@dnr.wa.gov, 2022-10-19

We, the Mountaineers, own 54 acres near Stampede Pass (Easton / Martin), a few miles South of I-90 on the East side of Snoqualmie Pass. We purchased the property in 1928 and have used it as an all-volunteer non-profit ski resort since.

We love our trees and our primary interest is in the long term health of our forest. We have some incidence of root rot we'd like to avoid spreading and we're also keen to help our forest and buildings survive when a fire inevitably comes sweeping through.

We have a some volunteer sawyers who can help us implement some of the thinning. What we need is direction and guidelines. We are interested in the following programs:

1. Forest Stewardship Planning
2. Assistance for Wildfire Resilience and Forest Health
3. Prescribed Fire

We look forward to your assistance.
Matt Simerson

Answers to questions in the Forest Management Plan Guidelines & Template

Land Uses in the Vicinity: Our property is bounded by Forest Service land and the BNSF railway. (Parcel #606535 in Kittitas County).

Topography is hilly, ranging from 3,000' to 3,500'.

Access is via Exit 62 off I-90, take FR-54 to FR-5400-420. Follow the 420 road 1.5 miles. At the crest of the hill, the 420 continues straight and our driveway / BNSF rail access / BPA / PSE access road u-turns up the rail embankment, through our locked private gate, and then along the tracks. At the crossing, cross over the tracks and then left up our driveway.

General Forest & Property Description: We have a few cleared areas (a ski slope, and under BPA power lines that cross our property). There is a bit of old growth on one corner, some semi-thinned forest (for ski-ability) on much of the hills, and a lower flattish area in need of thinning. There are two streams that cross our property: martin creek, and tombstone creek, which begins on our property. We have a ski lodge and a few utility buildings scattered about the property.

Property Corner and Boundaries: the Southern border of Section 27 is our property edge and our property is mostly the SE corner of Section 27, as bounded by the BNSF railway. Boundaries are marked by USFS brown fiberglass markers in the ground and on a handful of bearing trees.

Land Use / Forest Management / Timber Harvesting History: We've never logged it off and never will. The biggest changes in the history of the land are (roughly):

late 1800s: fire triggered by coals from locomotive that denuded portions of the property.
1928: acquisition by skiers from the Mountaineers who were excited by the mostly open slopes
1930s: clearing of The Lane (main ski run)
1980s: easement granted to BPA, who cleared the trees under their power lines

Reference

• Fuels Reduction and Improved Habitat: Try SLLOPPS (Snags, Logs, Legacy, Openings, Patches, Piles and Shrubs)

[msimerson]

Mountaineers_FSP_Approval_Letter.pdf

[msimerson]

• FIDL 78 Armillaria root disease.pdf
• FIDL 172 Annosus root disease.pdf
• Habitat Pile for Wildlife - Bevis.pdf
• Inventory Techniques.pdf

[msimerson]

maybe better stand map

initial stand map

Mountaineers Stand Map Tyler.pdf

[msimerson]

Mountaineers_DNR FSP Approval 7-14-2023.pdf

[msimerson]

[msimerson]

Meany Forest Soil Report & map.docx