Smoke Signals 11
FEBRUARY 15, 2012
Summer Youth Crew
The Fish and Wildlife Department also facilitates a summer Oregon
Youth Conservation Corps program. Since 1990, it has provided outdoor
work opportunities for youth in Grand Ronde and the surrounding com
munities. The youth crews continually build and maintain trails on the Reserva
tion. The goal is to have a 20-mile trail system built and available for
hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
The OYCC program has won the Frank Roberts Award for the best sum
mer program in Oregon in 2002, 2006, 2008 and 2009.
Salmon Distribution
Natural Resources also coordinates with the state of Oregon to receive
4,000 pounds of Chinook salmon annually for distribution to the member
ship. In the past, we also have found ways to tap federal hatcheries for
surplus, which usually adds 4,000 to 12,000 additional pounds.
ReforestationStand Establishment
' Immediately following a timber harvest operation, Natural Resources
Division staff focuses attention toward reforestation of the site. This pro
cess, often referred to as silviculture, begins with preparing the land.
It takes a long commitment that involves careful consideration of the
correct seed source for the land; how long to grow the seedling before
planting on the Reservation; how to control competing vegetation and how
best to guide the young trees into mature forests. All this is done while
addressing many other Tribal interests on the Reservation.
Site Preparation
The preferred method of site preparation is prescribed fire. Burning is
performed by department employees and conducted when soil and fuel
moisture conditions will keep fire intensity low.
Low-intensity fires will most closely mimic natural fires and have insig
nificant impacts on site productivity. This method of site preparation will
reduce the fire hazard and provide room for planting of seedlings.
When it is determined that prescribed fire is not the best choice, the
site is prepared for planting through mechanical clearing. Machinery,
provided by contracted vendors, is used to pile logging debris and create
planting areas.
The techniques employed to reduce compaction during mechanical
clearing include using low-ground pressure machines, clearing only when
soils are very dry, and rehabilitation by ripping andor water barring any
ground-based skid trails after clearing.
To date, Natural Resources has machined piled and burned 472 acres
within the planning period.
Seed Source and Genetic
Improvement
A good healthy forest begins with the seed source. Natural Resources
takes advantage of genetic improvements in seed while maintaining na
tive diversity. Through a cooperative agreement with the Bureau of Land
Management, several conifer species (Douglas fir, western red cedar and
western hemlock) have been selected for genetically controlled character
istics, such as growth, tree form and resistance to disease.
This seed source will comprise no more than 25 percent of the seedling
production contracts. The remaining seed is collected on the Reservation
by felling phenol-typically superior trees in coordination with the projected
10-year harvest plan.
Reforestation MethodsPlanting Stock
Planting is the primary method of reforestation used on the Reservation.
Artificial and natural seeding, with the exception of red alder and big leaf
maple, are not effective or as rapid as planting.
Natural regeneration may supplement planting, but is not relied on for
stocking. Within the current planning period, Natural Resources staff has
reforested 547 acres. This work is contracted to ensure quick reforestation
and better quality control
The selection of tree species, planting density (usually 10 feet by 10 feet)
and stock types depends on site characteristics, the composition of the
original stand and projected future management of each stand.
Douglas fir is the major species planted, comprising 85 percent to 95
percent of the total trees. Western hemlock, western red cedar, grand fir,
red alder and big leaf maple species comprise 5 percent to 15 percent of
the stands.
Typically, a seedling is grown in the nursery for two years before being
planted on the Reservation. This is intended to give the seedling a head
start over competing vegetation and greatly improves survival. Lewis
River Reforestation and IFA Nursery are under contract to grow these
2-year-old seedlings for the Reservation. A total of 350,000 seedlings have
been grown over the course of the plan.
Vegetative Management
Brush control activities are performed to ensure tree plantation estab
lishment and continual growth. The prescriptions to manage competing
vegetation are very site specific and may include manual cutting and, on
a very limited basis, herbicides.
Without these activities, the competing vegetative species can cause high
mortality in regenerated stands. The purpose of these activities is not to
completely eliminate other vegetative species, but to provide seedlings
enough time so that they can successfully compete with vegetation.
Proper site preparation, such as prescribed fire and mechanical clearing,
provides the initial advantage needed by seedlings to get ahead of vegeta
tion and avoid the need for herbicides. This has been the experience on the
Reservation as evidenced by numerous examples of successful reforestation
without herbicide treatments.
Over the plan, Natural Resources employees have manually released ap
proximately 226 acres. Of the 226 acres, five were treated by herbicides.
Timber Stand Improvement
Timber stand improvement activities, such as pre-commercial thinning,
fertilization and pruning, are performed to promote growth while main
taining health and productivity.
Monitoring these silvicultural treatments verifies that objectives are
being met under the established guidelines set by the Natural Resources
Division.
Within this planning period, employees have pre-commercial thinned
1,414 acres.
Resource Protection
To date, insect and disease have caused minor damage on the Reserva
tion. Staff monitors the forests for early signs of damage and reacts quickly
on a site specific basis.
Courtesy photo
Douglas fir cones
fir
Courtesy photo
Summer Youth Crew
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