May 8, 2008
2.1 MILLION TREES TO BE PLANTED AS PART OF WHITESHELL PROVINCIAL PARK RESTORATION
– – –Park Open This Summer As Windstorm Recovery Efforts Progress: Struthers
Campsites and trails at Whiteshell Provincial Park will be open this spring following a massive cleanup of damage from a summer storm last year, Conservation Minister Stan Struthers announced today.
Over the next four years, the province will plant 2.1 million trees, starting with 60,000 white spruce seedlings later this month. In addition to tree planting, forest renewal plans also emphasize natural regeneration whenever possible in order to encourage growth of a natural forest.
“The June windstorm that hit Whiteshell Provincial Park affected an area about half the size of the city of Winnipeg, snapping tree tops, flattening stands of mature trees, obstructing trails and roads, and damaging cottages and park infrastructure,” said Struthers. “As one of our most popular parks, the Whiteshell is a jewel in our crown of the Manitoba’s parks system that attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year and we are moving to restore this provincial treasure so that coming generations can continue to enjoy its natural beauty.”
Recovery efforts first concentrated on cleanup, which was aimed at reducing the risk of wildfire in the most heavily used areas of the park. The initial cleanup concentrated on reopening roads, campgrounds and trails, while removing hazardous trees near high‑use areas. With few exceptions, trails and campsites will re-open. Among current conditions:
· About 10 sites at White Lake campground will remain open while others are unavailable due to extensive cleanup and restoration.
· The Pine Point Rapids hiking trail was cleared of debris and reopened last August.
· The Big Whiteshell Mountain bike trail has been cleared of all the debris, however, cleanup activities in the area are impacting the trail and travel is not currently recommended.
· The Forrester’s Footstep hiking and biking trail remains closed as a result of the extensive storm damage and the area being used for continued cleanup efforts.
· Visitors can expect normal trail conditions with the occasional tree across the trail on remaining hiking trails.
Tree-planting efforts included the Scouts Canada annual national Scoutrees planting program this year. About 180 cubs, scouts and leaders have planted 12,000 additional trees at the Betula Lake ball diamond and along the Pine Point Trail.
As well, seedlings will be made available to cottagers. An open house is planned for May 17 in the park to explain how the cleanup is progressing and to provide information on reforestation efforts and fire smart. Bundles of trees will be given to people attending the open house at Pinewood Lodge. Signs explaining the restoration program will be posted at high-use points such as Betula Lake and Pine Point Rapids as well as main gates and offices.
A multi-year fire hazard management plan is already in place to reduce the increased forest fire fuel created by the windstorm in areas near cottage developments, highways and campgrounds. The size of the area damaged during the storm required mechanical forest harvest methods to safely and effectively salvage timber and reduce fire risk in the damaged stands of forest. Cleanup efforts will continue into the winter of 2008 and 2009.
Park visitors are advised that large commercial trucks will continue hauling timber products out of the park throughout the summer.
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