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Forest Service outlines land acquisition, timber sale and trail projects for Manchester district
Summary
U.S. Forest Service staff briefed the Tom McConnell Select Board on recreation, timber and land-acquisition projects that include a roughly 2,135-acre Roaring Branch acquisition and a 164-acre Rocky Hollow stewardship timber sale; staff urged partnership with local clubs for trail maintenance.
Martina Barnes, district ranger for the Manchester Ranger District of the Green Mountain National Forest, told the Select Board on April 23 that the district posts all active projects on a quarterly list and is working on several local initiatives that will affect town recreation and forest management.
Barnes said the Roaring Branch land-acquisition is being managed by the Trust for Public Land and is expected to become part of the national forest in about one to two years. "It is currently managed by the Trust for Public Land but the long-term plan is for it to become part of the Green Mountain National Forest and it's about 2,135 acres," she said.
Steve Pick, recreation program manager for the Manchester district, described trail work on the Appalachian Trail and a proposed long-distance mountain-bike route sometimes called the Bellmont. He said federal funding — including a $5 million Legacy Restoration Fund through the Great American Outdoors Act for the Appalachian Trail in New England — presents an opportunity for tread improvements and shelter work. "There's $5 million available for the Appalachian Trail for the New England states. So we want a piece of the pie," Pick said.
Amelia Napper (who goes by Melly), the Vermont Public Lands Forester working with partners on the Rocky Hollow sale, and Stacy Stratton, timber manager for the Manchester district, outlined the Rocky Hollow stewardship sale. Napper said the sale covers about 164 acres and will focus on treatments to promote oak regeneration and create wildlife habitat. Stratton said revenue from wood sales will fund erosion control, trail improvement and mitigation measures. "Most of it's erosion control," Stratton said, adding that management will use a mix of thinning and regeneration treatments rather than wholesale clearcutting.
Residents asked about Sucker Pond trail access and whether ATV/OV summer use could return. Staff said reopening depends on relocating trail segments around wetlands and completing a planned timber sale and associated closeout activities; enforcement and better signage are part of the strategy to keep users on designated routes.
Speakers emphasized that local clubs can accelerate trail reopenings by providing volunteer maintenance that counts as match for grants. "Working with the local club, like volunteering for them, is the biggest piece," Barnes said, noting clubs assist with trail work and signage and their hours support grant matches.
The Forest Service also discussed invasive-species control methods (hand-pulling, targeted herbicide in specific areas), survey and property-line work before treatments, and prescribed fire or controlled burning as a tool to reduce fine fuels and improve oak regeneration where appropriate. Staff invited neighbors to site visits and said they would provide maps and notices as projects proceed.
The district left copies of maps and project summaries with town staff and offered contacts for clubs and stewards who want to partner on trail and stewardship work.
The Select Board did not vote on federal projects at the meeting; members accepted the presentation and encouraged continued local coordination and outreach.
