Department of Agriculture Grant: Southern Pine Beetle Suppression, Long Island NWR Complex

This is for limited financial support for emergency forestry action to cut down stage 1 and stage 2 pitch pine and other softwood species that are infested with southern pine beetle. There is a very narrow window in which to perform work, since the beetle will be emerging mid to late April.
This portion of the suppression operation is to perform a thinning operation in order to protect the remaining softwood, and to reduce the escape potential to other areas not yet infected.

Trees have been marked on two units, totaling about 3,200 trees to drop. Total area is about 40 acres, within two target areas of the refuge.

Trees will be limbed and bucked once on the ground to a height no more than 18 inches above ground.

Because of specific sawyer needs, training, skill level, and immediate need, this is treated very similar to an emergency wildland fire event, and a readily available workforce of 9 to 12 saws, plus support is needed to complete the dropping of these trees prior to the beetle emergining. Hence our reachout to the Northeast Forest Fire Protection Commission (Compact) to mobilize the necessary saw teams from the various state and Canadian providences with capacity to supply resources with vary short notice.

Cooperate with one another for their mutual benefit and for the general benefit of the people of the United States of America and for future generations to enjoy the natural and cultural resources of the Fish and Wildlife Service.