Forest Service provides Butler Hollow project alternatives
Thursday night’s Butler Hollow project meeting was a packed house at the Family Life Center in Cassville. Members of the community showed up to hear the new proposals for restoration of Butler Hollow in Mark Twain National Forest.
July 29, 2015
Charlea Mills
After initial comments were received regarding a proposed plan for Butler Hollow in the Mark Twain National Forest, the Forest Service revealed two new alternatives to citizens of Barry County on Thursday, July 23, at a meeting at the Family Life Center in Cassville.
The Forest Service had three officials present at the Thursday event: Steve Best, Mark Twain National Forest deputy forest supervisor; Melissa Steward, planning and public affairs specialist; and Joe Koloski, District Ranger for the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs district of the Mark Twain National Forest. Koloski will be in charge of making the final assessment as to what treatment Butler Hollow will receive.
Quite a crowd turned out to the informational meeting in Cassville, including State Representative Scott Fitzpatrick and representatives from both U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill’s offices.
Koloski presented a PowerPoint to the group clarifying with the Forest Service feels that Butler Hollow needs attention as well as alterations to the previous plan and two new alternatives. He addressed the group and stated, “My staff and I were working on additional alternatives based on the comments we received.”
The Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs district published notice in November 2014 asking for public comments about a plan to impact over 18,000 acres of the forest in Butler Hollow. Due to increased interest, the office extended the public comment period and hosted multiple local meetings to gain insight into the local opinion on the matter, as well as explain the reasons they are wanting to work on the forest.
The initial plan included thinning closed woodland, expanding glades and also doing a prescribed burn that would affect over 17,000 acres. They issued a statement saying, “This restoration project is needed to: address declines in native plant communities, improve forest health, enhance wildlife habitat, offer dispersed recreation opportunities and provide timber products.”
Koloski said that the service had received both positive and negative comments that helped him and his staff to look at alternatives that would appease the local community while still addressing issues with the forest.
On Thursday, Koloski highlighted aging trees with a higher risk for disease and declining plant populations as the primary reasons they have been looking into a restoration project.
Local citizens raised concerns over the number of acres that would be converted to open woodland and glades. Currently, 82 percent of the area is closed woodland and upland forest which allow very little sunlight to the ground below because of a thick canopy. Ideally, closed woodland and upland forest would only account for 33 percent of the forest with 52 percent open woodland to allow plant populations on the ground to diversify.
Soil erosion is also a high concern with the Forest Service. Koloski said that by allowing more undergrowth, soil erosion is less of an issue. He also explained that open woodland and glades are less vulnerable to drought and heavy rainfall. He said, “With climate change, moving forward we know that extreme weather increases are going to be a concern. That pendulum has a bigger swing between intense droughts and wet periods. The forest needs to be more resilient to withstand that.”
When people at the meeting continued to be concerned with the amount of acreage that would be opened to glade and woodlands, Kolosi said, “The goal is for all of those pieces to be there, be vibrant, healthy and diverse.” All current elements of the forest, like closed woodland, open woodland, and glades would be represented, just in different percentages.
The first alternative for the restoration is no action. Many in the meeting were in agreement, but Koloski cautioned, “It is a viable alternative, but I would like to point out that no action doesn’t mean no effect.”
The second alternative is close to the original plan, however Koloski said that they did alter a few things that people were concerned about after hearing public opinion. While alternative two remains the same, alternative three shows the differences between the original plan and addressing local concerns. He said, “One big concern was the use of herbicide on stumps, and we’ve removed that entirely.” That alternative also increased the no-treatment area and changed the non-commercial restoration thinning to understory vegetation control. The thinning would only affect trees with diameters of nine inches or less. They also eliminated the hardwood riparian planting. The prescribed burning area would remain the same with that alternative.
Finally, Koloski presented a fourth alternative which would significantly cut down the size of the area that the restoration project would affect. He said, “I asked my staff, if you had to focus on one area, what would it be? What’s most important with this area?” The fourth alternative would impact 3,607 acres right around Roaring River State Park.
With the fourth alternative, there would still be prescribed burning, as well as thinning and commercial and non-commercial cutting, but in a much smaller area.
Following the meeting, many people asked questions about the project and voiced more opposition to any changes. Koloski assured everyone that there will be another 30-day comment period for people to submit their thoughts to be considered when he makes the final decision. Koloski expected the comment package to be available in a couple weeks.
He said, “I’m not going to rush this. I’m taking my time with this and have been listening to everyone’s opinions.”
Once the decision is announced for the project, anyone who contributed during the 30-day comment period can file an objection if they still disagree with the plan.
Following the meeting, Koloski said that he thought the meeting was successful. He said, “I think the goal was to present the alternatives to the project based on the comments we received, which is what we did.
“I think we also satisfied people with the additional 30-day comment period. They know that we aren’t going to rush into this.”
After the meeting, Rep. Fitzpatrick said, “I attended the meeting because I wanted to hear the concerns of the folks living in Butler Hollow. I have been in frequent contact with Joe Koloski with the Forest Service to ensure that my constituents have a voice in the process.
“I feel very strongly that Alternative 4 that Mr. Koloski proposed at the meeting is a result of the overwhelming input he received from the comment period. Although this is a federal issue, I am doing my best to stay involved in the issue and be a liaison between the people and the Forest Service. I want to thank the Forest Service, and especially Mr. Koloski, for holding the meeting, as well as the constituents for showing up and having their concerns heard.”
Koloski added, “One thing I hope we accomplished is that we are listening and taking their comments. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have these other alternatives.”
The new comment period is expected to be opened in a couple weeks, according to Koloski. Citizens will have 30 days to submit their opinions and can receive a physical copy of the packet or view it online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/mtnf/landmanagement/projects. For a physical copy, contact Allen Weathersbee with the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District, Route 6 Box 614110, Ava, MO 65608 or (417) 683-4428 ext. 131.
Charlea Mills
After initial comments were received regarding a proposed plan for Butler Hollow in the Mark Twain National Forest, the Forest Service revealed two new alternatives to citizens of Barry County on Thursday, July 23, at a meeting at the Family Life Center in Cassville.
The Forest Service had three officials present at the Thursday event: Steve Best, Mark Twain National Forest deputy forest supervisor; Melissa Steward, planning and public affairs specialist; and Joe Koloski, District Ranger for the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs district of the Mark Twain National Forest. Koloski will be in charge of making the final assessment as to what treatment Butler Hollow will receive.
Quite a crowd turned out to the informational meeting in Cassville, including State Representative Scott Fitzpatrick and representatives from both U.S. Senators Roy Blunt and Claire McCaskill’s offices.
Koloski presented a PowerPoint to the group clarifying with the Forest Service feels that Butler Hollow needs attention as well as alterations to the previous plan and two new alternatives. He addressed the group and stated, “My staff and I were working on additional alternatives based on the comments we received.”
The Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs district published notice in November 2014 asking for public comments about a plan to impact over 18,000 acres of the forest in Butler Hollow. Due to increased interest, the office extended the public comment period and hosted multiple local meetings to gain insight into the local opinion on the matter, as well as explain the reasons they are wanting to work on the forest.
The initial plan included thinning closed woodland, expanding glades and also doing a prescribed burn that would affect over 17,000 acres. They issued a statement saying, “This restoration project is needed to: address declines in native plant communities, improve forest health, enhance wildlife habitat, offer dispersed recreation opportunities and provide timber products.”
Koloski said that the service had received both positive and negative comments that helped him and his staff to look at alternatives that would appease the local community while still addressing issues with the forest.
On Thursday, Koloski highlighted aging trees with a higher risk for disease and declining plant populations as the primary reasons they have been looking into a restoration project.
Local citizens raised concerns over the number of acres that would be converted to open woodland and glades. Currently, 82 percent of the area is closed woodland and upland forest which allow very little sunlight to the ground below because of a thick canopy. Ideally, closed woodland and upland forest would only account for 33 percent of the forest with 52 percent open woodland to allow plant populations on the ground to diversify.
Soil erosion is also a high concern with the Forest Service. Koloski said that by allowing more undergrowth, soil erosion is less of an issue. He also explained that open woodland and glades are less vulnerable to drought and heavy rainfall. He said, “With climate change, moving forward we know that extreme weather increases are going to be a concern. That pendulum has a bigger swing between intense droughts and wet periods. The forest needs to be more resilient to withstand that.”
When people at the meeting continued to be concerned with the amount of acreage that would be opened to glade and woodlands, Kolosi said, “The goal is for all of those pieces to be there, be vibrant, healthy and diverse.” All current elements of the forest, like closed woodland, open woodland, and glades would be represented, just in different percentages.
The first alternative for the restoration is no action. Many in the meeting were in agreement, but Koloski cautioned, “It is a viable alternative, but I would like to point out that no action doesn’t mean no effect.”
The second alternative is close to the original plan, however Koloski said that they did alter a few things that people were concerned about after hearing public opinion. While alternative two remains the same, alternative three shows the differences between the original plan and addressing local concerns. He said, “One big concern was the use of herbicide on stumps, and we’ve removed that entirely.” That alternative also increased the no-treatment area and changed the non-commercial restoration thinning to understory vegetation control. The thinning would only affect trees with diameters of nine inches or less. They also eliminated the hardwood riparian planting. The prescribed burning area would remain the same with that alternative.
Finally, Koloski presented a fourth alternative which would significantly cut down the size of the area that the restoration project would affect. He said, “I asked my staff, if you had to focus on one area, what would it be? What’s most important with this area?” The fourth alternative would impact 3,607 acres right around Roaring River State Park.
With the fourth alternative, there would still be prescribed burning, as well as thinning and commercial and non-commercial cutting, but in a much smaller area.
Following the meeting, many people asked questions about the project and voiced more opposition to any changes. Koloski assured everyone that there will be another 30-day comment period for people to submit their thoughts to be considered when he makes the final decision. Koloski expected the comment package to be available in a couple weeks.
He said, “I’m not going to rush this. I’m taking my time with this and have been listening to everyone’s opinions.”
Once the decision is announced for the project, anyone who contributed during the 30-day comment period can file an objection if they still disagree with the plan.
Following the meeting, Koloski said that he thought the meeting was successful. He said, “I think the goal was to present the alternatives to the project based on the comments we received, which is what we did.
“I think we also satisfied people with the additional 30-day comment period. They know that we aren’t going to rush into this.”
After the meeting, Rep. Fitzpatrick said, “I attended the meeting because I wanted to hear the concerns of the folks living in Butler Hollow. I have been in frequent contact with Joe Koloski with the Forest Service to ensure that my constituents have a voice in the process.
“I feel very strongly that Alternative 4 that Mr. Koloski proposed at the meeting is a result of the overwhelming input he received from the comment period. Although this is a federal issue, I am doing my best to stay involved in the issue and be a liaison between the people and the Forest Service. I want to thank the Forest Service, and especially Mr. Koloski, for holding the meeting, as well as the constituents for showing up and having their concerns heard.”
Koloski added, “One thing I hope we accomplished is that we are listening and taking their comments. Otherwise, we wouldn’t have these other alternatives.”
The new comment period is expected to be opened in a couple weeks, according to Koloski. Citizens will have 30 days to submit their opinions and can receive a physical copy of the packet or view it online at http://www.fs.usda.gov/projects/mtnf/landmanagement/projects. For a physical copy, contact Allen Weathersbee with the Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs Ranger District, Route 6 Box 614110, Ava, MO 65608 or (417) 683-4428 ext. 131.