McGaffey Project Timber Harvests

Long-term restoration efforts are in progress in an area of forest heavily impacted by insect and disease issues. Frequent visitors to areas south of Taos and west of Pot Creek may notice visual changes to some areas during the initial phase of this decades-long project. 

What is Happening? 

Widespread mistletoe and a host of other disease and insect issues are heavily impacting this area of the forest. These issues likely worsened the current Dougals-fir tussock moth outbreak that started in summer 2024, when staff were preparing these restoration efforts as part of the McGaffey Forest and Rio Grande del Rancho Watershed Restoration Project. 

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What Insects and Diseases? 

A plant pathologist evaluated the area in June 2024, finding a severe and widespread dwarf mistletoe infection in ponderosa pine and Douglas-fir, as well as extensive defoliation of white fir and Douglas-fir by western spruce budworm. 

White fir in the area was also impacted by fir engraver, Armillaria root rot, Heterobasidion root disease, fir broom rust and stem decays. 

On top of that, a Douglas-fir tussock moth outbreak began in July 2024, compounding issues in the area. 

Aren’t the Insects and Disease Natural? 

All the insects and disease mentioned above are naturally occurring in Northern New Mexico, but something else has been missing over the decades: Fire. 

Regular intervals of fire caused by lightning were also naturally occurring and would reduce the density of forest stands, including the insects and disease residing in the trees. Without that cycle of disturbance, stands became thick and insects and disease flourished, spreading from tree to tree with ease. 

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What Are You Doing About It? 

The McGaffey Forest and Rio Grande del Rancho Watershed Restoration Project was approved in 2023 and covers 30,000 acres to the south of Taos, N.M. Overall, the goal is to restore forest and watershed health within the project area through timber harvesting, thinning, and prescribed fire. 

The project was originally identified by the collaborative Taos Valley Watershed Coalition. The group, which was formed in 2015 with more than 20 signatories, identified forest health treatment in the McGaffey Ridge area as a priority. 

While work will take decades, the first step to addressing the severity of dwarf mistletoe infection is to remove large areas of trees through a timber harvest, which is a method in forestry to move stands toward the Carson National Forest’s desired conditions for ponderosa pine and dry mixed conifer stands. Harvesting will occur over numerous years, with initial stages conducted in partnership with the State of New Mexico starting in December 2025. 

What Will It Look Like? 

The type and intensity of treatments will differ across the project area. Much of the work currently planned will thin forest stands and their understory, opening up the canopy.

But in the heaviest areas of mistletoe infection, estimated at 700 non-contiguous acres, the work will initially look very different, with areas cleared of trees: 

• Harvest (Year 1): Contractors will harvest timber, leaving some large, yet infected trees to naturally reseed the area.
• Survey (Years 2 - 5): Crews will survey and certify natural regeneration for any saplings and young trees that become established. Areas with no regeneration will be replanted with seedlings grown from seed stock collected in the immediate area.
• Overstory Removal (~Year 6): The leftover trees will be removed to reduce the potential of infecting growing trees, which are unlikely to be infected in their early years due to minimal surface area.
• Continual Management (Years 7 - 100+): Staff will continue actions, including thinning and prescribed fire, that will move the forest stands toward desired conditions, transitioning the area from even- to uneven-aged. 

What are the Long-Term Desired Conditions for Ponderosa and Dry Mixed Conifer Stands? 

The 2022 Land Management Plan defines the current desired conditions (e.g. goals) for ponderosa pine and mixed conifer with frequent fire (colloquially called dry mixed conifer) that project work is managing toward. 

For both, the plan generally calls for these vegetation communities to mostly be “multi-storied with open canopy, largest trees are medium to large” with old-growth occurring throughout the landscape, usually in smaller areas. To dive deeper, go to pages 48-56 in the plan. 

Desired conditions may be adapted to a changing environment in updated land management plans. 

The Big Picture 

While this work is taking place in a specific area, its effects of restoration are widespread: 

• Healthy watersheds supply water to acequias and communities, both locally and downstream toward Santa Fe, Albuquerque and beyond.
• Forests provide wood products, including firewood to heat local homes and timber to supply local mills, providing jobs for local residents.
• The threat of wildfire to communities is reduced. With predominate winds blowing in from the southwest toward Pot Creek and Taos, this work can moderate the behavior of a rapidly moving fire, giving firefigthers the chance to contain flames. 

What if I Encounter a Project Site? 

Your safety is important. Read our alert for our recommended actions when in the area.