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U.S. Forest Service updates Stamford board: staffing cuts, delayed land donation and timber-sale plans
Summary
District Ranger Martina Barnes told the Select Board that district operations remain largely stable despite regional staffing cuts, a planned 1,420-acre land donation remains at least a year from closing because survey work is delayed, and timber sales and a 23-acre prescribed burn are scheduled for spring and summer operations.
Martina Barnes, the district ranger, briefed the Stamford Select Board on operations in the Manchester Ranger District, including staffing, a pending land donation and upcoming management activities. "We're doing our annual kind of select board meeting tour and, talk just kinda providing an update to you on some of the projects happening in Stamford," Barnes said during her opening remarks.
Barnes said staffing reductions have been concentrated at the Washington and regional levels, but the local district expects to bring on seasonal employees for the summer. She told the board a planned park/forest land donation—referenced on a map in the meeting—was approximately 1,420 acres and remains "at least a year or more out" because the final survey work is delayed. The district will notify the town and emergency services before any prescribed burns.
On operational work, staff described a tentative 23-acre spring prescribed burn (Camposino) and updates on multiple timber sales (Roaring Brook, Broad Brook, and the Dome sale). The district explained post-harvest site preparation plans (waterbars and road repairs) and said some projects will rely on stewardship funds tied to timber-sale proceeds for hauling and skidding. The USFS staff also described recreation priorities, trail relocations and partnerships with local clubs and volunteers for trail maintenance.
