Published in the March 22 issue of The Mountain-Ear.

Kim Habicht, Boulder County.

The Multiparty Monitoring Group (MMG), which has been overseeing a fuels reduction and forest health project in Nederland, met on March 14, 2018, to review the first phase of the project.

The initial proposal of the project, named Forsythe II, was set forth by the US Forest Service in September 2015. The five-year project is focused on the portion of the Roosevelt National Forest between Nederland and Gross Reservoir. By implementing treatments on this land, the forest service aims to reduce the severity of future wildfires and mitigate the impact of droughts, disease and insects that might plague the area.

Since the unveiling of the first proposal, many changes have been made to the plan, with the input of various local homeowners and stakeholders. There has been a reduction in the total number of acres that will be treated, as well as an implementation of a 300-foot no-cut buffer around all private land.

The Multiparty Monitoring Group, comprised of a multitude of homeowners, park rangers and representatives from environmental groups, has been providing feedback on the plan. Some groups, like the Magnolia Forest Group, are critical of the effectiveness of deforestation as a means to mitigate forest fires. Concerns about the impact of local wildlife, trail use and other ecological issues were raised during the meeting.

The first phase of the plan, which the MMG deliberated at this meeting, concerns only the manual removal of trees. Treatments including a broadcast burn and mechanically-aided removal of trees will take place in phase two.

The deforestation effort raises concerns that species, like elk, will be confronted with a diminished habitat. MMG members brought up concerns that the nest of a flammulated owl was found in an area where trees will be taken down. The American Bird Conservancy lists habitat loss as the biggest threat to the species.

US Forest Service Forester Kevin Zimlinghaus fielded concerns from other MMG members. “Different species are going to come into different areas among landscapes. Some are more dependent on open space and some on more dense areas. Having variety leads to more variety,” said Zimlinghaus.

Teagan Blakey, with the Magnolia Forest Group, voiced concerns that the thinning of the forest will lead hikers and bikers to veer off the designated trails, which can be a problem for the preservation of the forest. As the members of the MMG surveyed the area, remnants from illegal camping were found, like abandoned campsites and fire pits.

The collaborative effort between private citizens, the forest service and other organizations is ongoing. So far, modifications have been made to the original plan, at the advice of MMG members.

US Forest Service Forester Angela Gee said, “I want to reiterate there is flexibility to how the treatments are laid out. The Forest Service is making a commitment to listen and hear what you have to say and find the place where we hopefully can all be happy.”