Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project work continues along Schultz Pass Road north of Flagstaff

Release Date: Feb 12, 2016

Contact(s): Media Contact: Brady Smith, 928-527-3490

Flagstaff, Arizona -- A forest thinning operation associated with the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project (FWPP) in an area south of the San Francisco Peaks along Schultz Pass Road could begin as early as tomorrow.

The Orion operation will thin 891 acres in an area about three miles north of Flagstaff along the north side of Schultz Pass Road. Work will be ongoing throughout the next several months, which will include cutting, processing, hauling and clean-up of the area.

“We’re excited about the progress of the Flagstaff Watershed Protection Project, and the Orion thinning operation is another step in the direction of helping reduce the risk to resources and the community of Flagstaff,” said Flagstaff District Ranger Mike Elson. “After thinning operations in that area has concluded, people will definitely notice a difference and will be able to see an example of what a healthy forest should look like.”

Log trucks will be using Little Elden Springs Road (Forest Road 556) to access Schultz Pass Road (Forest Road 420) and the project area. Seasonal road closures across the forest are still in place and higher elevations of Schultz Pass Road are still closed.  The lower portion of Little Elden Springs Road is open, but closed to public traffic at higher elevations.  In the coming months as forest roads open, the public should be aware of increased logging trucks on the forest roads mentioned for this project.

Trucks will not be using the section of Schultz Pass Road which leads into the subdivisions on the west side of Mt. Elden.  However, when driving on roads used as haul routes by log trucks, stay to the right and give logging trucks the right of way.  When following logging trucks, be aware that bark, mud and gravel may fall from the truck, so stay back as far as possible.

Forest Service trails within the area may be temporarily closed during forest thinning operations for public safety purposes.

FWPP is a collaborative effort with the City of Flagstaff and Arizona State Forestry to reduce the risk of watershed impacts associated with wildfire. More information about FWPP can be found online at http://www.flagstaffwatershedprotection.org/.