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Show Dixie National Forest Announces Decision On Griffin Springs Project CEDAR CITY - The Dixie National Forest announced this week the completion of the planning stage on the Griffin Springs Resource Management Project, in a decision that also brought praise from Escalante's sawmill owner. "I'm pleased to announce that we've finished the planning stage of a project that will benefit bene-fit both the forest and local communities," com-munities," Acting Dixie National Forest Supervisor Steve Robertson said Friday after signing his decision on the Griffin Springs Resource Management Project. And in Escalante, Skyline Forest Resources co-owner Stephen Steed said, "We're delighted to see the Forest Service is moving forward with the project. It's good for the job market in this small rural community, com-munity, and the ripple effect it will have on jobs in surrounding areas, and. for the health of the forest." Located about 15 air miles northwest of Escalante on the Aquarius Plateau, the project involves several management actions that Robertson says will improve the overall health of the forest and stimulate the growth of vigorous young aspen. Researchers warn that aspen is disappearing from the landscapes land-scapes of Southern Utah. "This project involves several sever-al actions," Robertson says. "An important one is commer cial cutting of patches of timber where aspen is being replaced oy spruce and fir. Cutting will stimulate the growth of young aspen. That's good for wildlife. It's also good for people. Everyone knows how lovely aspen stands are, especially in the fall. We need to work on expanding let alone keeping the aspen forests that Southern Utah is famous for." "Another action we think is really important impor-tant is thinning spruce and fir, because that can help reduce the spread of bark beetles," Robertson says. "We weren't able to do this on Cedar Mountain the epidemic swept through a very old spruce forest there but we have a chance with this project on the Aquarius Plateau. By thinning the forest to remove trees, we can create more diversity in size and age. That will help the forest resist bark beetle attacks." Robertson also points out a benefit he sees for local communities. commu-nities. "Providing green timber through sales that improve forest for-est health also helps our local timber industry. These operators opera-tors are small but they are an important economic factor in small Southern Utah towns. .' They're important for us too, because their ability to cut trees provides a tool for managing the forest." The decision on the Griffin Springs Resource Management Project is subject to a 45-day appeal period. People who want to learn more about the project or request a copy of the Supplemental Environmental Impact Statement should call the Escalante Ranger District at 435-826-5400. "Our county is facing difficult diffi-cult times," said Steed. "We don't have the luxury of having our natural resources going to waste. This is a renewable resource which, if properly managed, will be here for generations. gener-ations. "If the project is held up by litigation, we can expect this part of our national forest to look like Cedar Mountain in just a few years," said Steed. |