Early in September, logging is scheduled to begin in the Eightmile Creek drainage of the Methow Valley Ranger District, according to a Forest Service announcement.
     The fuels reduction work is being done as part of the Okanogan and Wenatchee National Forests’ Eightmile project.
     “The purchaser is planning to start work on the Flatmoon Timber Sale in about two weeks,” said Arlo VanderWoude, vegetation program manager for the Methow Valley Ranger District. “This sale sold last year, but the purchaser has been finishing up another project.”
     The 2,500-acre project is designed to improve forest health by thinning overcrowded stands of trees. Left alone, overcrowded trees are weakened as they compete for sunlight and nutrients, leaving them more susceptible to insects, disease and fire, according to the announcement.
     The treatment project was signed in 2006 following analysis of the area. It includes harvesting about five million board feet of timber, doing pre-commercial thinning and using prescribed fire, the announcement continued.
     Logging traffic for the Flatmoon Timber Sale will use the main Eightmile Creek Road No. 5130 and West Chewuch Road No. 5100.
     “There will be between 15 and 30 loaded logging trucks coming down the Eightmile and Chewuch roads on weekdays,” said VanderWoude. “Added caution will be important as folks drive these roads.”
     Several campgrounds, including Buck Lake, Flat, Nice, Ruffed Grouse, and Honeymoon and the Billygoat Trailhead are located along road No. 5130.
     Log hauling will not occur on weekends or holidays, according to VanderWoude.
     More information is available from VanderWoude, 996-4000.