Hazard Tree Removal Begins at the Birch Creek Center
Release Date: Nov 20, 2017
Contact(s): Ian Shackleford
Dillon, Mont., Nov. 20, 2017 —
Winter work has begun at the Birch Creek Center, removing hazard trees from 130 acres near the historic Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) camp. The project will remove dead and dying Douglas-fir trees, which have been attacked by bark beetles and spruce budworm. These weakened trees pose a safety risk to visitors of the Birch Creek Outdoor Education and Conference Center, operated by the University of Montana Western.
District Ranger Scot Shuler described how the logging will benefit the area. “By removing the dead and dying trees in this high-use area, we can provide a much safer environment for visitors and students using the trails at the Birch Creek Center. In addition, by leaving the larger, healthy trees, we can restore more open-forest conditions that existed when the camp was built and used by the CCC. Removing high fuel loads could also help protect the Center from wildfire.”
The Birch Creek Camp was built in 1935 by the CCC, who then used the camp until 1941. The Camp was run by the U.S. Army with help from the U.S. Forest Service. Up to 200 men from around the country lived at the camp and worked in the local area. The men planted trees, fought wildfire, and constructed roads, levees, dikes, fences, campgrounds, trails, range cabins, and fire lookouts.
Today the Birch Creek Outdoor Education and Conference Center brings thousands of students and visitors to the Camp each year. The University maintains and uses all the remaining historic buildings, as well as the modern Bender Conference Center.
To ensure public safety during logging operations, a timber sale area closure will be in effect. The area will reopen late winter when logging is completed. The hazard tree removal is being done by Lorango & Sons Logging, under contract with the U.S. Forest Service. The project is authorized by the 2009 Forest-Wide Developed Site Hazard Tree Removal Project. More information on the Birch Creek CCC Camp is available from the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest and the University of Montana Western.
Caption: The former hospital and officers’ quarters of the Birch Creek CCC Camp. Hazard trees in the nearby forest will be removed this winter.
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