Sierra Pacific Industries to clearcut log amongst trees up to 52” dbh near Calaveras Big Trees State Park.

Calaveras Big Trees State Park photo by Tony Immoos

THP 4-15-013 TUO (Moody Lynx THP) Sierra Pacific Industries, 389 acres; 84% clearcut, 8% shelterwood, 8% selection logging.  Lower Griswold Creek, McCormick Creek (MD: T4N R15E Sec.1, 11, 12, 13, 14; T4N R16E Sec.5, 6, 7, 8; T5N R16E Sec.32, 33).  Winter operations, moderate erosion hazard, steep slopes up to 60%, unstable area in section 8, wet areas, 24 road drainage work sites, impaired 303.d watershed, herbicides, Calaveras big trees state park, 15 CA spotted owls within 1.3 mi, goshawk nest in unit 1277, 2 foothill yellow legged frog sightings within 1.2 mi, trees up to 52" dbh.  Estimated public comment deadline: 12/10/15. VIEW

This THP is about 4 miles SE of Arnold, CA, near the southern border of Calaveras Big Trees State Park and McKay Reservoir at an elevation of 3,435 to 5,150 feet.  Sierra Pacific Industries is planning a mostly clearcut tractor and cable logging operation in ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, sugar pine, white fir and incense cedar forests.  SPI wants to use several segments of skid roads inside class II (mid sized) and class III (intermittent) watercourses, and a segment of seasonal road inside a class I (year round) watercourse.  24 road drainage sites are planned for work including rocking, dip construction, ditch cleaning and culvert repair/replacement.  There are goshawk nests in unit 1277 and section 4, and 2 foothill yellow legged frogs were reported within 800 feet and 1.2 mi of the THP area. More information is available on the THP Tracking Center website.
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