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Forester urges countywide damage assessment and grant search after windstorms
Summary
Lincoln County forester Jennifer Nelson asked commissioners to include a storm‑damage assessment in the county emergency declaration and to pursue grants and partnerships to handle large volumes of downed timber and debris that raise wildfire and access concerns.
Jennifer Nelson, the Lincoln County forester, urged the board March 25 to assess damage from December and March windstorms and to use every tool available, including the emergency declaration, to address debris removal and the increased wildfire fuel load.
"The county is struggling on how to handle the debris from these events," Nelson told commissioners, noting the county lacks storage and processing capacity for fallen timber and that infestations and fire risk rise as material accumulates. She asked the board to consider grant opportunities to help landowners and the county respond, including assistance to the landfill for grinding and processing material.
Commissioners and staff discussed partnering with the Eureka firewood bank and other entities to move merchantable wood and using private contractors or new easements with the Forest Service and state agencies to improve access. Commissioner Jeff said the situation is widespread: "It's a disaster... We got to have some something going on where we can gather this stuff up, truck it, haul it, sort it, sell it, grind it," and asked staff to pursue actionable options.
County landfill staff confirmed the tub grinder is undersized for the current volume and that grant funding or interim storage arrangements may be needed. The board asked staff to explore grant options and operational partnerships and report back to the commission.
