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Glens Falls water board approves timber sale, backs knotweed herbicide and watershed inspection
Summary
At a special City of Glens Falls Water and Sewer Workshop on Monday, June 16, the board approved a timber-sale resolution for Mark and Talley Timber, recommended herbicide treatment for Japanese knotweed in the upper watershed, and authorized a property inspection and site visits by timber representatives.
At a City of Glens Falls Water and Sewer Workshop on Monday, June 16, the board approved a resolution authorizing a timber sale to Mark and Talley Timber and gave staff direction to move forward with invasive-plant control and watershed inspections.
The resolution authorizes formal sale paperwork and contractor access to inspect timber in the upper watershed. Bill (staff member) told the board the contractor will identify tree species, assess quality, note fallen timber and evidence of insect damage, and perform a land inspection before any harvest. The board voted to approve the resolution.
Board members also recommended moving ahead with herbicide treatment for Japanese knotweed in the watershed, describing the plant as an aggressive invasive that can form dense stands and crowd out native species. Tom Gilson (staff member) had previously described the scope and recommended prompt action; board members said delaying treatment would likely increase costs, and they approved the recommendation for contractors to apply the treatment under forestry supervision.
The board approved a property inspection of the upper watershed to assess tree health and to inform a longer-term forest management plan. Members said the fee for that inspection was modest and within budget. The board also agreed to allow representatives from Finch Prime to walk the timbered areas with foresters to confirm they meet whatever third-party reporting or certification requirements Finch Prime may have.
Board members emphasized that contractors conducting chemical treatment or timber harvests would be forestry professionals licensed to use herbicides judiciously, not general spray contractors. The board asked staff to notify watershed neighbors and to coordinate site visits so staff and local foresters can accompany outside parties.
Votes at a glance: the timber-sale resolution, the recommendation to authorize herbicide application for Japanese knotweed, and the property-inspection recommendation were all approved by voice vote.
Ending: Staff said they will coordinate the inspections and contractor visits and will report back to the board with inspection findings and proposed harvest details.
