Chaffee #37427

Commenting on This Project

The Forest Service values public participation. Communications from the public regarding this project, including commenters' names and contact information, will become part of the public record. 

The Allegheny National Forest is working to achieve desired silvicultural conditions on the Marienville Ranger District as approved in the Eastside and Chaffee project decisions. This may result in a temporary opening that is larger than 40 acres.

 Shelterwood seed cuts and delayed regeneration harvests were approved for stands 842008 (40 acres) and 842067 (19 acres) in the Chaffe project decision. The seed cuts occurred in 2019, and these stands now contain advanced yellow poplar regeneration that is sufficient to move forward with regeneration harvests earlier than planned. Due to their location, there is not a manageable untreated stand in-between these stands and those listed below.

  •  A final harvest occurred in stand 842032 (16 acres) in 2019 as approved in the Eastside decision.
  • Stands 842028 (27 acres) and 842035 (8 acres) were also approved for shelterwood seed cuts and delayed regeneration harvests in the Chaffee decision. Shelterwood seed cuts have not occurred, but may implemented in the next year or two.

The removals in stands 842008 and 842067 may combine with stand 842032 to form a 75-acre opening. Since the trees in stand 842034 are currently 3 to 5 feet tall, and could grow at a rate between 18 and 36 inches annually, the 75-acre opening could remain until sometime between 2026 and 2031 when stand 842032 is no longer considered an opening.

If the seed cuts in stands 842028 and 842035 also occur, the opening size could increase to 110 acres. After stand 842032 is certified as restocked, the opening size would fall to approximately 94 acres, and would remain at that size until stands 842008 and 842067 are certified as restocked. The timing depends on growth rate, but our best estimate is that it would take approximately 5 to 10 years for certification to occur after final harvest.

The 2007 Allegheny National Forest Land and Resource Management Plan states that temporary openings (unless due to catastrophic conditions) may only exceed 40 acres on an individual sale basis after 60 days public notice. This notice is being published to satisfy that requirement.

Questions?

If you have a question about this project, please send it to:

Kevin Treese

Marienville Ranger District
131 Smokey Lane , Marienville, PA, 16239
kevin.treese@usda.gov