Report Inappropriate Comments

Hi-Lo timber sale or otherwise, the following is the Forest Service recommendation for how to handle the ROW on the Echo Trail: "Scenic resources; retain as many large white and red pine possible (12” dbh and larger) within the ROW while still maintaining safe visibility to maintain the windy, remote scenic character of the Echo Trail. Photos submitted with this entry display some of the large pine within the ROW of the Echo Trail and in all cases the road ahead is easily viewed, even on corners where removal of small leafy brush has increased the view of the road ahead through some large pine that have been left in place. This is the character to maintain along the Echo Trail. Also included are photos taken along Lake County 2 near the White Pine picnic area that show a similar situation on a higher standard road where large pine are retained within the ROW for their scenic value."

If the Forest Service recommendation had been followed, there would have been no need to raise the issue now.

Instead "Scenic resources" was largely ignored. Logging was allowed of trees up to 25" (St. Louis County Public Works desired number) rather than the 12" dbh recommended by the Forest Service. In the Big Lake area alone that equated to approximately half the trees cut measuring 12" dbh or larger; the ROW was basically clearcut when many of those trees could have been left without compromising safety.