The White River National Forest spent $10.4 million last year to deal with consequences of the bark beetle infestation that has ravaged lodgepole pine trees, according to Forest Supervisor Scott Fitzwilliams.
The forest will likely receive another $6 million this year, Fitzwilliams said, but it will take years of work to deal with the most pressing of the problems created by the epidemic.
The $10.4 million was spent primarily on safety issues. “A big emphasis is on hazard-tree removal from roads, trails and campgrounds,” said Jan Burke, a silviculturist with the forest supervisor’s office in Glenwood Springs. Timber sales have also been awarded to remove dead and dying trees in “interface” areas where wildlands meet urban areas.
In many cases, contracts awarded last year out of the $10.4 million pot were for projects that will continue for a minimum of three years and often for five years, she said.
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