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Forest commission reviews timber revenue, culvert and wildlife projects; forester reports March work
Summary
Forester David DeGruttola told the commission the tower site was cut before April 1 and more timber revenue is expected from the Little Ledge sale; commissioners discussed culvert funding, riparian buffers, Potter Tract brontosaurus work and mowing maps for upcoming contracts.
David DeGruttola reported the commission was able to get the tower site cut before April 1 and that additional timber revenue is expected from the Little Ledge sale.
DeGruttola said he will close the cut once excavator work is possible; while the excavator is onsite they plan to rough out the road for the tower and close out the Bowman cut. He also asked that JML be allowed to spot gravel at the Farrar tract pit and said JML would provide an insurance certificate and could haul away old culverts.
During a presentation with NRCS representatives Kelly Eggleston and Elise Lawson, Eggleston said NRCS may be able to help fund culvert replacements at up to 50% and suggested the work as a 2026 project. Lawson noted a culvert inventory exists and can be shared for project planning. Eggleston also proposed riparian buffer plantings on the Farrar Farm/Israel River bench as a 2027 project and recommended planting large hemlocks to stabilize the washout and improve fishing.
Under major-project planning, DeGruttola said he will contact a landowner (Campbell) about wildlife transect clearing, solicit estimates for two gates from four companies, and site a Potter Tract brontosaurus scarification project with Jacob DeBow of NH Fish and Game. The commission discussed mapping all mowing before meeting contractors and noted some locations where aspen regeneration might allow a patch cut but that wet soils could limit operations.
Commissioners also discussed invasive-species work; knotweed volume was described as too small to qualify for outside assistance, and DeGruttola will contact a Lancaster contractor for emergent treatment. On timber access for residents, DeGruttola said residents could be allowed to take dead-and-downed wood they could carry but should not be permitted to cut on forest property due to liability; he referenced the US Forest Service practice of permitting removal of dead-and-downed material by permit.
No formal votes were taken on these projects at the April 2 meeting; staff and contractors will develop estimates and plans for future meetings.
