Everyone, the following information is regarding an upcoming herbicide treatment aerial spray which will impact the Jones Creek Trail. Wanted to give you all a heads up to let you know what’s coming, and to help spread the word to the public. As this develops, I will continue to keep you all in the loop.

The summer site preparation aerial herbicide spray contract sold on Tuesday, July 6. The contract window is from July 19-August 20. The units included in this contract are Happy Dance U2 (north of C loop) and the Remington Steele units directly on the 1600 (affecting all 3 loops- mostly B loop). The silviculturalists plan to begin putting yellow herbicide info signage (not closure signage, just informational about the upcoming activity) up next week, so that the public has a heads up. Aerial spray operations can happen at the drop of a hat, due to weather and wind patterns. I will know more about this as soon as they do, and it will likely only be a day or 2 in advance. I will get the specific spray/closure info to you as soon as I have it. I will also work with my staff and the silviculturalists to ensure all necessary closure signage is posted. Be prepared for a quick closure for this (and any future) spray.

The herbicides used will be Accord Concentrate (Glyphosate), Chopper (Imazapyr), and Oust Extra (Sulfometuron). The contractor will have the option of using a stronger type of Chopper (Chopper Gen 2). Let’s prepare for a 48 hour shutdown period, as this is the length of time after spray if using the stronger herbicide that re-entry would be safe. More to come on that one.

The contractors do have the latitude to spray on weekends, as this is so weather dependent. So, also be prepared for this closure to affect weekend recreation activity. This is for the public’s safety, so hopefully people will understand and comply and not needlessly put themselves at risk.

Please let me know if you have any questions. Like I said, this information is often very short notice as it’s weather dependent, but silviculture and recreation will work together to ensure the posting of signage and information.

Thank you,

Jessica Kimmick

Recreation Manager

WA DNR

State DNR releases draft recreation plan for Western Yacolt Burn Forest
Public asked to comment on plan for area in southwest Washington

This is where you can find information about volunteering for motorized trail maintenance work parties in the Jones Creek OHV Area located in the Yacolt Burn State Forest.

February 4, 2010

· Legislative update

· Reiter Foothills Forest progress report

· Forest Watch Program

· Volunteer opportunities