Post on 23-Jul-2020
Partnership Overviewof the
USFS and Silver City VFDFire Break & Pine Beetle
Mitigation Project
May 16, 2012
Project Background
Pine beetle infested stands are currently throughout the Silver City VFD (SCVFD) Fire Protection District – i.e. Rochford Road, Sunnyside, and Silver City areas
The infestation began in our area approximately in 2003, but aggressively spread in the past 2 years
Immediate action was required help prevent further expansion and address fire suppression measuresRemoval of MPB trees on private property Thinning & MPB tree removal on USFS property 1
SCVFD Fire Protection District – 25,600 / 40 sq. miles
2
3
4
This graphic represents the majority of the SCVFD Fire District
5
Project Overview Fall 2011 – Initial contact with the
USFS to create a fire‐break around communities in the SCVFD fire protection district Purpose – to protect people & private property from
catastrophic wildfire risks caused by mountain pine beetle infestation by creating 300’ shaded fuel break around the community of Silver City
January 2012 – SCVFD coordinated with Pennington County Weed & Pest to mark infected trees on private property & proposed USFS buffer
February 2012 – USFS and the SCVFD entered into a formal Participating Agreement that allowed the SCVFD to create the fuel‐break around Silver City
April 2012 – The project was completed6
Project Funding
SCVFD hired a local timber contractor utilizing $20,000 of department funds
Source Program AmountSilver City VFD Financial Reserves $20,000Private Donations $3,000County Weed & Pest Bug Tree Program $2,300
7
8
Why Did The SCVFD Initiate This Project?
Q:Why did our community choose to spend money on this project?A: Our community membership believed that spending $20,000 was a good investment to help protect our properties and the surrounding forest we live in
Q:Why did the VFD and not the community or homeowners association initiate this?A:We’re an unincorporated township, and the VFD is the only organization that could do so 9
Why Did The SCVFD Initiate This Project? Q:Why not wait for the Pactola Project timber sale(s) and not spend SCVFD money?A: The MPB threat is imminent and it’s a real possibility that some sales will not be completed. Preemptively attacking this years flight to help mitigate needed thinning and infested tree removal was appealing to the SCVFD and community
Q: Could the USFS do similar projects elsewhere in the Black Hills National Forest?A: Yes, the USFS is an excellent partner on this type of common sense project in mitigating MPB areas 10
Project Results
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
Project Final Costs
Item Contractor Description AmountLogging & Thinning
Custom Timber 24 acres $11,840
Removal of MPBTrees
Custom Timber Green Infested Tree
$1,660
Timber Credit Custom Timber Mill reimbursement
($1,350)
BH Reclamation Seed
Warne Chemical 250 lbs. $875
Total $13,025
18
Project Final Details
24 acres
51 timber loads
208,000 board feet
Trees less than 9” were used for other purposes
USFS assistance / direction on seedingNOTE: This was not required by the USFS for this project
SCVFD substantially improved our fire protection capabilities for our community in 2012 with the help of our partners!
19
Partner’s Review& Thanks!
Mystic Ranger District Bob Thompson, Gale Gire, John Olson & others
Pennington County Weed & Pest Scott Guffey & others
Pennington County Fire Administration Denny Gorton & others
State of South Dakota Dept. of Agriculture Brian Garbisch & others
Custom Timber, Inc.
Silver City VFD Membership20