PACIFIC PARK TO BE CLOSED INTERMITTENTLY TO ENSURE PUBLIC SAFETY WHILE HAZARDOUS TREES REMOVED
News Release from Pacific Power
Posted on FlashAlert: October 2nd, 2015 10:15 AM
Contact:
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power, 503-813-7291 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 2, 2015
Pacific Park to be closed intermittently to ensure public safety while hazardous trees removed
WALLOWA LAKE, Ore. -- PacifiCorp will be intermittently closing public access into Pacific Park and the Wallowa Lake Trailhead to remove trees that could otherwise pose a hazard to visitors. The park on the Wallowa River closes Oct. 1 every year, but walk in access to the park was allowed. The Wallowa Lake Trailhead provides year round access into the Eagle Cap Wilderness and other Forest Service lands.
A recent hazard tree assessment at the park and trailhead found approximately 50 dead and dying trees present due to beetle kill or other causes.
"We need to do this closure now to assure long-term safety for park users," said Bill Clemens regional business manager. "We want to let park users know ahead of time about this short-term inconvenience so they can make alternative plans."
The work will begin Oct. 5 and last through the month as needed and weather allows. Closures will occur as work requires. Personnel will be on site ensuring no public entry when tree falling is taking place, and signage will be posted. October was chosen to conduct this work as it is a period when there is less public activity in the area.
The adjacent State of Oregon Day Use Area (leased by PacifiCorp to Oregon State Parks and Recreation) may also experience areas that are closed to public access for short periods while adjacent hazard trees are cut. The trees being removed are red alders that are near the road and parking lot. These trees are near their growth limit and are decaying. The trees will be replaced in spring by longer living Douglas fir, hemlock and cedars.
Besides the immediate safety issue, PacifiCorp also desires to minimize risk of the ignition and spread of forest fire, protect the aesthetic qualities of the forest and to retain species diversity across the landscape.
Clemens added: "PacifiCorp wants to maintain the wildlife habitat, aesthetic and recreational aspects of these lands. The primary objective of managing these lands is recreation and hydroelectric facility operation. With those goals for land management, this hazard tree removal is a tool to improving the current stand conditions."
-30-
Tom Gauntt, Pacific Power, 503-813-7291 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 2, 2015
Pacific Park to be closed intermittently to ensure public safety while hazardous trees removed
WALLOWA LAKE, Ore. -- PacifiCorp will be intermittently closing public access into Pacific Park and the Wallowa Lake Trailhead to remove trees that could otherwise pose a hazard to visitors. The park on the Wallowa River closes Oct. 1 every year, but walk in access to the park was allowed. The Wallowa Lake Trailhead provides year round access into the Eagle Cap Wilderness and other Forest Service lands.
A recent hazard tree assessment at the park and trailhead found approximately 50 dead and dying trees present due to beetle kill or other causes.
"We need to do this closure now to assure long-term safety for park users," said Bill Clemens regional business manager. "We want to let park users know ahead of time about this short-term inconvenience so they can make alternative plans."
The work will begin Oct. 5 and last through the month as needed and weather allows. Closures will occur as work requires. Personnel will be on site ensuring no public entry when tree falling is taking place, and signage will be posted. October was chosen to conduct this work as it is a period when there is less public activity in the area.
The adjacent State of Oregon Day Use Area (leased by PacifiCorp to Oregon State Parks and Recreation) may also experience areas that are closed to public access for short periods while adjacent hazard trees are cut. The trees being removed are red alders that are near the road and parking lot. These trees are near their growth limit and are decaying. The trees will be replaced in spring by longer living Douglas fir, hemlock and cedars.
Besides the immediate safety issue, PacifiCorp also desires to minimize risk of the ignition and spread of forest fire, protect the aesthetic qualities of the forest and to retain species diversity across the landscape.
Clemens added: "PacifiCorp wants to maintain the wildlife habitat, aesthetic and recreational aspects of these lands. The primary objective of managing these lands is recreation and hydroelectric facility operation. With those goals for land management, this hazard tree removal is a tool to improving the current stand conditions."
-30-
Sent via FlashAlert Newswire. Replies to this message do not go back to the sender.
Go to http://FlashAlert.net/login.html to change or delete these messages.
Go to http://FlashAlert.net/login.html to change or delete these messages.
