Battling the Pine Beetle In Summit County
Tom Long - Summit County Commissioner
SummitPineBeetle.org is a service of
Our Future Summit
330 Fieldler Street, Suite 206A
Dillon Colorado 80435
970-468-787
What are your priorities as a County Commissioner in dealing with the pine beetle infestation and possible fire danger?
First there are a couple of
matters I would ask we consider. The beetle should be thought of as
synonymous with fire. The beetle is a "native" pest and will therefore be
with us in perpetuity. That said, the immediate need is for the reduction
of fire danger that exists in the current urban interface.
To taking the necessary steps to improve forest health, we need to find a
way to work with a VERY cumbersome United States Forest Service process.
This would include seeking legislation to make action necessary as well as
taking and encouraging others to act on the beetle issue. Those steps
include thinning, logging, trimming, prescribed burning and selective
replanting of a variety of species.
What is Summit County doing to fight the infestation, protect trees, and inform residents about its efforts?
It is important that everyone recognize that it is impossible to protect all the trees in Summit County. There are too many acres of forest service land which Summit County has no jurisdiction over. Summit County is spraying selected stands of trees to protect them. We need to understand this is a commitment that has to occur annually. Secondly, we are trying to build a project which is a biofuel burner at the county commons area. We are actually treating and dealing with some of the available fuels. This project should demonstrate to others the feasibility of similar efforts. Beyond this, the county is trying to encourage efforts that would develop markets utilizing blue stained wood.
What can residents do to protect their property and assist local officials who are working on the problem?
They can educate themselves and their neighbors regarding the beetle. Residents may contact the county as part of this educational process as well as gain assistance in creating defensible space on their own property. They can thin trees and remove slash on their property to prevent ladder fuels accumulating. Lastly, they can spray their own healthy trees to keep them from becoming diseased.