Thanks for your interest in the project. Included are some of the points in Red Rock Forests' comment letter. To see our full comments, send your request to info@redrockforests.org

COMMENTS will still be accepted until the project is implemented

This might appear to be a project Willow Basin residents would want, but we have yet to talk to any of the residents who want it. There is understandably little faith that the FS will not damage property values and, more importantly, the forest. The FS has a lot of money now for treatments in the wildland /urban interface to "reduce fire danger" and some are wary of this motivator. Ideally, the FS would join the State of Utah and help WB residents develop a fire plan.

COMMENT CONTENT

Fire protection emphasis should be on treating immediately around dwellings, as in the Firewise recommendations. Therefore, the FS should consider dropping this project entirely. In no case should they treat unit 2, east and uphill of Willow Basin, which is likely to become more fireprone through treatment. The broad age structure of aspen,scattered giant ponderosas and their replacement cohort, and variable, broken up veg types is not the decadent aspen forest with "encroaching" conifers that the FS describes. We do not want this fire resistant, healthy and unmanipulated forest to become cut up and filled with stumps just because the FS has a big fuels reduction budget this year. Any treatment should be restricted to areas that truly are a frequent fire return interval type and truly pose a clearly identifiable threat to Willow Basin homes and ecosystems. This would surely require an Environmental Assessment, as the area is very diverse and does not clearly fit into Fire Regime I Condition Class 3.

SOLUTIONS

1)Leave it alone--the Forest Service does not have a good record, and no one seems to be familiar with this special area and its structure, value and needs.
2) Create a wider fuel break by widening the Willow Basin access road and possibly cutting back the vegetation on the North side of the road.
3) Treat the areas WEST of Willow Basin. This area is downhill and upwind and is quite dense and steep.

The Forest Service should keep the project confined to the densely vegetated areas downhill to the west of Willow Basin. Minimally, they could break up the vegetation at the junction of the paved road and the Willow Basin road, either by hand felling and chipping or by a mix of felling and burning.

Even at this minimal level, the FS should engage the help of local residents in choosing existing openings in the forest structure to expand upon in creating their fire breaks. Machines should not be used for clearing vegetation, as several comments have already stated. Soils are steep and erosive, with microbial crusts.

OTHER CONCERNS:

- the imperiled sage grouse has been located in the area, and the FS should consider their viability if and when chopping and/or burning sage openings.
- exotic weeds are encouraged by mechanical treatment and fire.
- oak brush, identified as the greatest concern, is actually a big natural asset of this area and feeds wildlife.
- the numerous fragile springs should be avoided. They keep it wet and reduce fire danger here.
- this area is exceptionally good bear habitat.
- special areas, such as the cliff base, are valuable and special and should be cordoned off.
- steep areas should also be avoided.
- grass is perhaps more flammable than oak.
- fire is still a trauma to wildlife, even when prescribed.
- cumulative effects of this second treatment in a series called the "Moab Face Project "must be considered on affected species, watersheds and habitat.

My discussions with local fire experts leaves me with the feeling that we should deal with areas immediately adjacent to homes in Willow Basin, as individual owners see fit. I am researching the types of treatment that can be done within communities such as Willow Basin to reduce potential harm from fire while not eviscerating the very forest people have come to be in. Whether the FS is willing to change their project or even continue involvement with interested parties through an Environmental Assessment is the big question, but seeing them on site talking with concerned people is a great encouragement and worthy of praise.

To see the 1.8 mb Forest Service proposal and maps of the project area, click here.
willow_basin_burn

Send comments to:
Lee Johnson, District Ranger
PO BOX 386
MOAB UT 84532-0386

Thanks for your loving care!