Property committee approves coordinated tree harvest near Runway 15 on Adams County land

The Adams County Property Committee voted to allow a coordinated tree harvest on county-owned land north of Runway 15 after staff said several trees exceed federally relevant approach-height restrictions.

County staff presenting the map told the committee, “The red means it's over the height restrictions for the runway approach,” and said the county wants to hire a forester to harvest marketable timber and sell logs as a potential revenue source. Staff emphasized the land in question is county property, not Adams County Airport property.

The plan proposes including adjacent parcels where practical. Committee members said they had spoken with the Humane Society, which agreed to clearing on its parcel, and that the county would work cooperatively with the 4‑H to include its parcel in the harvest. “We wanna piggyback with you guys and definitely work with you, for cost savings,” said Karen Bays, who identified herself as representing the 4‑H.

Staff and a county conservationist said logs would be tracked by parcel so each owner receives proceeds from timber sold. Committee members asked staff to verify parcel boundaries before work begins; one member said the line on the map looked “rough drawn in” and offered to show survey markers to clarify ownership.

Rocky moved to allow the coordinated tree cutting and harvesting, Poehler seconded, and the motion carried.

Next steps identified in committee discussion included hiring a forester, providing clearer parcel boundary documentation and confirming cleanup expectations so crews remove debris and do not leave large cut material in fields. Committee members emphasized standards for post-harvest cleanup and accurate parcel mapping before any cutting begins.