07/04/08 Studying trees and water

Western communities that depend on timber for part of their livelihood have worked to maintain the balance between vigorous growth while providing a sustainable forest environment. A study of forest management practices by the Cooperative State Research Education and Extension Service focuses on a North Idaho private forest. ROZUM "Near Coeur d'Alene with is obviously a very developing desirable community. I think it was rated as one of the top ten desirable communities to retire to." CSREES's Mary Ann Rozum says they're looking at the logging impacts to the surrounding watershed and nearby communities. ROZUM "One would be a traditional clear cut. Another scenario is where they would thin the trees and these have been compared to look at how it affects the water flow." The University of Idaho and Potlatch Corporation joined USDA in the Mica Creek project. Rozum says the study shows that best management practices can help to deliver the balance between timber cuts and water runoff. ROZUM "And with this urban development the water may actually be more valuable than the timber under some circumstances both for urban use downstream and also to diversify the rural economy with recreational fishing, hunting and other industries." Rozum says a combination of thin and cleared areas provided a greater volume of water runoff for nearby North Idaho communities. Today's Idaho Ag News Bill Scott