Update- April 2008
North Whiteshell Windstorm Clean-up
Park Facilities: Campgrounds, Cottage Areas and Hiking Trails
Overview
Progress continues on the clean-up and repairs to park infrastructure following the large wind storm that swept through the north Whiteshell in June 2007. Manitoba Conservation has developed a strategy to reduce the fire danger and reopen trails utilizing commercial logging operations and Manitoba Conservation staff. The first phase of the clean-up focused on repairing infrastructure and restoring services to the campgrounds, cottage subdivisions and hiking trails within the affected areas. The majority of this phase of the clean-up is complete. Current efforts have been refocused to manage the risk of wildfires, and repair infrastructure.
Windstorm Forest Harvest and Renewal Open House
An invitation is being extended to all cottagers interested in the forest harvest and renewal processes ongoing in the North Whiteshell. Manitoba Conservation will have staff on hand to answer your questions and concerns. Drop by to discuss forestry, forest renewal, the boreal forest, Fire Smart principals for your cottage, and much more.
When: Saturday, May 17th
10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Where: Pinewood Lodge at Dorothy Lake
Trees Manitoba Conservation will be donating tree seedlings to cottage owners affected by last summer’s windstorm. A bundle of 15 White Spruce seedlings per cottage will be available during the Open House.
Cottage Areas
Designated brush disposal areas will be established by district offices for temporary brush disposal in the spring, please contact the appropriate district office for locations. In the interim, all brush should be taken to the appropriate transfer station. Do not store brush and debris on your lot. Please be very cautious with regards to fire hazard levels within the park due to the increase hazards associated with the remaining debris. Open fires are prohibited in Manitoba between April 1 and November 15. Permits are not generally issued within Whiteshell Provincial Park, please take all brush to designated areas.
Campgrounds
Work continues in the White Lake Campground walk-in tenting area. This area will remain closed for the 2008 camping season. The remainder of White Lake Campground will be open and operational for the summer season.
The Betula Lake Campground will be fully operational and ready for spring start-up. The Betula group use area will remain closed until logging operations are complete and renewal can occur in this area.
All remaining campgrounds in the North Whiteshell are operational.
Hiking Trails
The Pine Point Rapids Hiking Trail was cleared of debris and opened in last August. The warm-up shelter at the rapids was rebuilt this winter. Siding and benches will be placed in the spring or early summer.
The Forrester’s Footstep Hiking and Biking Trail remains closed as a result of the extensive storm damage sustained and the area being used as a staging area for continued clean-up.
The Big Whiteshell Mountain Bike Trail has had all the debris cleared however forestry activities in the area are impacting the trail, and travel is not currently recommended. This trail is anticipated to be ready spring or early summer of 2008.
Visitors can expect normal trail conditions, with the occasional tree across the trail on remaining hiking trails including the Mantario Trail.
Fire Risk
The storm flattened large tracts of forest between Betula and Big Whiteshell Lakes. This created conditions which could pose a serious fire threat to cottage subdivisions and infrastructure in the future. In order to reduce the risk to property by wildfire, a break in forest fuels closest to campgrounds and cottage subdivisions was created by clearing areas where the greatest wildfire risk was assessed. By encouraging the regeneration of hardwood species it is anticipated that there will be long-term benefits to these areas.
Within the storm affected areas, Manitoba Conservation designed harvest blocks that are being commercially harvested to remove damaged trees and create breaks in the forest fuels. Commercial harvest methods were chosen due to the scope of operation (including the large equipment necessary) and for the ability to deal with the wood in a timely manner. These harvest-blocks were designed in-conjunction with provincial fire personnel to provide needed fire breaks. It is hoped that these harvest blocks can be used to prevent fires from burning into or isolating cottage sub-divisions.
Hardwoods (poplar and birch) pose the least threat in a fire; these species will be encouraged to grow within designated areas in order to provide a long term natural break in the forest fuels. This FireSmart planning will be incorporated into the Forest Renewal planning following the harvest.
Commercial Logging
Manitoba Conservation continues to work with local timber operators to salvage affected timber. Market conditions dictate the manner of harvest and species that are economically feasible for operators to take. Currently, there is very little demand for poplar, making it uneconomical for operators to harvest and haul this type of material. Unfortunately, in these cases operators may be forced to leave the fallen poplar behind when salvaging other species such as pine and spruce.
Some people have expressed concern that the operators are taking trees that do not appear to have been damaged by the storm. Although not visible at first, in most instances the roots of these trees have been damaged killing these trees and making them vulnerable to insects and high winds. By managing these areas in a way that more closely reflects natures, the future forest retains the natural characteristics that wildlife are adapted to.
Commercial harvest clean-up operations are expected to continue through 2008 and into the winter of 2009.
Forest Renewal
Harvested areas are being mapped and plans are being developed that will ensure the successful regeneration of those areas over the next several years. In keeping with the existing Whiteshell Plan, emphasis will be placed on natural regeneration when possible. Areas will be treated with heavy equipment to encourage natural regeneration next summer. Some areas will need assisted regeneration techniques to encourage the species type and mix that was growing on the site at the time of the storm. These areas will be treated and planted with native species common to the area. Some planting will occur as early as May 2008.
The annual Scoutrees program will be held in the area on may 3, 2008. This program, run jointly with Manitoba Conservation and Scouts Canada give the Scouts an opportunity to try planting trees first hand and teaches them about sustainable forest management in an interactive way.
Forestry information can be accessed online at: http://www.gov.mb.ca/conservation/forestry/forest-practices/fpp-contents.html
Public Safety
In the interest of public safety, the public is asked to avoid all active logging areas. These areas are hazardous due to large equipment, falling trees and other dangers existing at these sites.
Park visitors should be aware that logging trucks will be a frequent occurrence on the highways and roads throughout the park. Use caution while traveling throughout the park. Logging truck travel may be restricted during peak times.
District Office Contact Information
Seven Sisters District Office
Box 9,
Seven Sisters Fall, MB R0E 1Y0
Phone: 204-348-4004
Rennie District Office
Box 130,
Rennie, MB R0E 1R0
Phone : 204-369-3153
Disaster Assistance -
www.manitobaemo.ca
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