North Cowichan to Harvest Storm Blowdown in Municipal Forest Reserve

North Cowichan Council has endorsed the recommendations of the Forestry Advisory Committee to harvest trees that blew down or were heavily damaged during the December 2018 windstorm in parts of the Municipal Forest Reserve, specifically Stoney Hill, Mount Tzouhalem and Maple Mountain. Blowdown assessments on Mount Richards, Mount Sicker, and Mount Prevost are delayed due to the recent snowfall and will continue as the snow melts.

“Council was advised that some of the blowdown areas won't be accessible without major road-building and other work - those areas will be left alone," says Mayor Al Siebring. "However, it's important to clear out the blowdowns where we can to keep the Forest Reserve as safe as possible for public use, and to reduce wildfire risk.”

Salvage methods will incorporate mitigations to protect various environmental and biophysical values, including soil conservation, biological diversity, recreation, and forest health. A detailed description of blowdown plans, estimated volumes, and mitigation measures, is posted at https://www.northcowichan.ca/EN/main/community/current-topics/municipal-forest-reserve.html

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For more information, please contact:

Al Siebring, Mayor

Municipality of North Cowichan

T 250.710.3416

E mayor@northcowichan.ca

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