FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE04-61
December
6, 2004
Contact:
Ian Michaels
(718) 595-6600
Glenford
Dike Forest Management Project Awarded to Local Timber Harvester
Acting Commissioner David B. Tweedy of the New York City Department
of Environmental Protection (DEP) announced today that the Glenford
Dike Forest Management Project has been awarded to local timber
harvester Kevin Ryan of Holland-Irish Timber Associates. The project
is one of numerous land management projects by the DEP to protect
or enhance long-term water quality and ecosystem integrity.
"We are fortunate to have many trained and experienced local
professionals able to complete land management projects on City-owned
lands,” said Commissioner Tweedy. “Their expertise
assists the City in fulfillment of overall objectives for sustainable
natural resource management while carefully protecting water, soils
and other natural resources."
The project’s primary goal is to control vegetation on
the dam consistent with NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
guidelines. A secondary goal is to thin the adjacent forest area
to release natural white pine seedling regeneration and promote
increased diversity and health of the woodlands. Thinning the white
pine trees surrounding these new seedlings encourages their development
into the next generation of forest.
Dead or dying ash timber and firewood – the result of ash
dieback disease and past drought conditions on the site – is
being salvaged and, as a result, sustainably produced wood products
are available to the local community. The wood collected will contribute
to the firewood demands of Ulster County residents.
Commissioner Tweedy added, "Responsible management of projects
in the DEP forest management program assists the City in long term
production and protection of quality water while environmentally
sensitive management of natural resources can encourage maintenance
of open space and promote economic benefits in the watershed communities."
The contractor has begun to move
equipment into the area and work should begin within the next week,
conditions permitting. Work is expected to last 12 months.