Howard Hallman asked for comments concerning the relationship between the Forest Service and Homeowners concerning fuel reduction projects. John Taylor talked about a meeting between homeowners and the Forest Service Representative at 3:30 pm, Tuesday Dec 12, at the Silverthorne Ranger Station.  

 

Cary Green remarked that in a perfect world, we would let homeowners do whatever they want but the Forest Service is guided by the requirement of Environmental Assessments (EAs) and Environmental Impact Statements (EISs). The federal government’s best interest is to manage public forests. Trees do have value. 

 

The Forest Service is in the process is creating maps illustrating management options for Dillon Reservoir shore areas and the adjacent Lower Blue. Planning Large Scale Project is going to do more good for fire abatement project. Surveys have to include details about wildlife, wetlands and watersheds.  

 

Bob French commented that we understand the importance of the process but we are frustrated by lack of ability of local homeowners to take action to protect their own homes. 

 

Howard – Do we have the resources to do the work, surveys, etc. 

 

Cary – We have the manpower, the question is do we want to do bits and pieces or comprehensive project.  Focus on areas on most important. Ski areas.  Long term strategy is removing dead trees, fire mitigation. 

 

If we took 200 foot stretch strip between homes and Forest, how much acreage would that entail? Cary –Good question! We don’t know, but it is a lot. 

 

How will the USFS interact with HOAs on guidelines for community fire mitigation.?

 

We need to see the CWPP to see local standards. Set policies  

Fire cutting permits are available. He displayed a map identifying roadless areas where no cutting is allowed. 

Fire Danger is not significantly increased by current Pine Beetle infestation for crown driven fire because there is not a significant amount of fuel on the ground.  Long term danger is when trees die, fall and intermingle with new growth to create more fuel loading. Long term view is more important so we can reduce the hysteria. 

 

Vince Lanuza pointed out that there is danger from falling tress than just fire danger with trees close to neighborhoods.  Look at Williams Fork. Where forest is cleared, there will be less regeneration than if there had been a fire which provides better conditions for new trees to germinate.  

 

Howard – we have had experts that indicated there would be more fire danger.  

Phil – you have to look at a crown fire as the greatest danger. Red crowns will burn faster, but when needles drop fire danger will drop. Fire still needs to reach crown and ground fuels situation has not changed. 

Steve Hill talked about the changing face of Summit County after the pine beetle infestation is over. More open space etc. The need to make use of the trees now while there is some value to the trees.  

 

Modeling Studies

Torching index – how fast ground fire goes into the trees

Crowning index- how strong a wind to spread the fire from crown to crown 

Find areas of risk where there are ground fuels and ladder fuels are present and hazards like power lines and barbecued.  

 

Brenda Wilmore – Modeling Studies in Vail.  

Tim Mack – Town of Frisco  217 acres in Nordic Center – hired consultant to develop a plan for those areas. Ordinance where homeowners are required to mitigate trees on property. Each year town does survey and identifies trees on public and private land. 

 

This fall 05 survey identities 700 new trees that are infected. In the past we have had good cooperation in taking down infected trees. 

 

Bob French addressed the possibility of enforcing a ordinance county wide forcing residents to protect good trees, and remove infected trees. Jeffco has tried to enforce their ordinance, homeowners have defended themselves by claiming their trees were infected by neighbors beetles.   

Sam – we need Pine Beetle information and education for citizens to know what they can do to prevent and mitigate.  

Karn Stiegelmeier  suggested creating a series of newspaper articles to create public awareness about what is happening and the reality of the situation 

Steve Hill indicated that we need to emphasize spraying. It is effective. Protecting trees against a rate og PB infestation of 7X growth rate.  

Bob French and Tim talked about the difficulty of each town in getting its hand around the problem.  

Steve need some more efforts EA and EIA for lower and upper blue.  

Howard – Pine Beetle is a natural situation but Summit County is an unnatural situation with a large visitor and tourism industry. What can we do to protect our environment now? 

 

Howard Hallman – Our Future Summit

Phil Bowden -US Forest Service-Dillon Ranger District

Sandy Briggs- Our Future Summit

Chris Curtis - 

Cary Green – US Forest Service – White River National Forest

Ben Grove – Frisco Heights HOA

Steve Hill- Summit County Special Projects

Sam Kirk- Pebble Creek Ranch

Vince Lanuza – Silverthorne Town Council

Patti Maguire- Summit County Fire Mitigation Officer

Karn Stiegelmeier  - Friends of the Lower Blue

John Taylor- Eagles Nest HOA

Alan Wickert – Swan River Ranch

David Weihnacht – Our Future Summit