Monday, March 17, 2008

HAZARD TREE INSPECTION IN CATHEDRAL GROVE



MACMILLAN PARK PROJECT
PROTECTS PUBLIC SAFETY

The Ministry of Environment will be completing hazard tree mitigation work in MacMillan Provincial Park to protect public and worker safety along the park’s trail system.

Work will begin in mid-March. Due to the nature of the wildlife/danger tree treatment, public access in the park will be restricted while work is underway.

Nine trees will be treated to keep park visitors, operators and staff safe while on the trails. Seven trees are between 25 cm and 95 cm in diameter, and two trees between 100 cm and 120 cm. Treatment includes falling, topping or pruning of trees that have been assessed as hazardous by a certified wildlife/danger tree assessor. If left untreated, the ministry would be required to close the trails in the park

Ministry of Environment biologists and the ministry’s consultant biologists assessed the hazard trees for wildlife habitat values. Information collected indicates that ecological conditions within the park are sufficiently diverse to withstand long-term impacts from the hazard tree removals and modifications. Prior to the completion of the wildlife/danger tree treatments, each tree will again be assessed by a registered professional biologist to reduce the risk of wildlife impacts.

Topping of trees is the preferred option for managing hazardous trees in a park environment. Fallen trees and tops will be left on-site to contribute to the health of the forest ecosystem.

Ministry of Environment staff and professionals provided local stakeholders with an overview of the project during a recent field visit. Stakeholders included local chamber of commerce representatives and a representative from a non-government environmental organization.

Ministry staff continue to investigate proactive strategies to maintain wildlife trees that are hazardous to the public. The objective is to prolong the time a wildlife tree could stand in a safe manner, while allowing greater flexibility for managing the trail network.

An important role of MacMillan Provincial Park is the provision of educational opportunities through interpretation of its unique, old-growth forest ecosystem. The ministry is in the planning stages for a trail repair and improvement project to further protect the park’s ecological values. This includes foot bridge replacement, trail resurfacing and fencing.


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