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NEWSUnited States Department of Agriculture
Lewiston, ID, December 18, 2006—The natural, native forests of Idaho vary greatly in appearance and functionality from the forestlands of today. Historically, native forests, especially those in dry and warmer time zones, experienced low intensity wildfires often. Those recurring fires would often reduce brush, stimulate grass growth, and kill thin barked shade tolerant seedlings. Today, that is no longer the case. Over the past 100 years, fire suppression, preferential logging, and the introduction of exotic pests have given rise to stands that have shifted to shade tolerant tree species such as grand fir and Douglas-fir. Fuel loads have increased in these same forests. The result is that many private forests in Idaho are less productive and more prone to catastrophic wildfires. The risk of wide spread “mega-fires” is increasing, and can have a drastic impact on many valuable natural resources in Idaho. Fortunately, the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in partnership with the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL), local conservation districts and other groups are working with private forest landowners to restore and enhance Idaho private forestlands through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). EQIP is a voluntary conservation program that offers financial and technical help to landowners to install or implement conservation practices on eligible agricultural land. Frank Gariglio, NRCS state forester, began promoting EQIP to treat forestlands in the Craig Mountain area south of Lewiston in 2000. During this time, he saw forests that were more prone to fire, insect infestation, and disease mortality in this area of Nez Perce and Lewis counties. Hoping to reverse the declining forest conditions, Gariglio’s forward thinking led Idaho NRCS to its first “forestry emphasis” project using EQIP on private lands. The program allows for EQIP money to be used for forestry conservation practices that promote forest health and productivity, which in turn reduce the potential for explosive forest fires. Rancher Mike McCann began working with NRCS in 2000 to begin to create a more naturally functioning forest environment as part of his EQIP contract on his land north of Soldiers Meadows Reservoir. McCann is dedicated to making his land as fire resistant as possible while increasing the potential for timber harvest and providing quality under story grazing for livestock. “I think I’ve always been interested in timber management, but cost sharing with NRCS has helped,” said McCann. The results of Mike’s efforts are impressive, even after just six years. McCann nearly tripled his grazing capacity and has made his forests stands far less prone to stand replacement wildfires. McCann has gone so far as to install fire breaks along his property boundary so that potential crown fires coming from nearby untreated forests would not “jump” onto his stands. Many of his stands have been planted to Ponderosa pine and larch which are well adapted trees for his area. As those seedlings grow, he’ll see his forests shift back to their natural composition, plus he’ll have a seed source for future forest regeneration. Gariglio said his goal is to help landowners maintain healthy, viable stands of trees that protect the forest resource base in Idaho. To find out how you can participate in the NRCS forestry program, contact Frank Gariglio via e-mail, frank.gariglio@id.usda.gov or by phone, 208-746-9886 ext. 113; or visit your local USDA Service Center.
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. |
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