OCR Text |
Show Bark Beetles Seen Near Posey Lake Field personnel on the Escalante Ranger District of the Dixie National Na-tional Forest have observed increased in-creased bark beetle activity in and adjacent to the Coyote Timber Sale area near Escalante, according to District Ranger Kevin Schukoski. The Coyote Timber Sale is currently cur-rently under contract and is located northwest of Posey Lake. High density forested areas and older strands are often targeted by the beetles, as these trees are more stressed and less resistant to attack. Because of the potential for damage to the tree stands, as has occured in the Cedar Mountain area, officials feel that this increased activity warrants war-rants futher investigation. Entomologists Ento-mologists (bug specialists) from Forest Health Protection, a branch of the Forest Service, will be surveying sur-veying in and around the Coyote area to determine the extent of the beetle outbreak. Based on these findings, the Forest Service will decide on a course of action. |