Aquarion, DEEP, Conservancy Log Easton Trees

The many white pines in the Centennial Watershed State Forest that were either felled or damaged due to Hurricane Sandy will be given new life as lumber.

Aquarion Water Company, in collaboration with the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection and The Nature Conservancy, has reportedly hired Carl Clavette Logging, based in Burlington, to conduct a logging operation to remove damaged trees at locations in Easton, Fairfield and Shelton.

“Removing the fallen timber during the next several months is imperative to preserving the value and usefulness of the wood as lumber,” said Gary Haines, Aquarion’s chief forester in charge of the salvage operation, in a press release from Aquarion.

Proceeds from the sale of the wood will defray the cost of removing it, according to the release.

Haines said the removal of the damaged trees — predominantly white pines — would also help promote the health of the forest.

"Preserving forest health, including invasive species control and fire threat reduction, are primary reasons for the timber logging," the release states.

Logging operations will take place from 7 am to 7 pm, possibly including weekends, in the following locations:

• Easton – Black Rock Road (south of Westport Road),  Everett Road and North Park Avenue, and Rock House Road and Valley Road
• Fairfield – Black Rock Turnpike (north of Hemlock Road)
• Shelton – Booth Hill Road (near Hurd Street); and several smaller damaged areas.

Aquarion, the DEEP and The Nature Conservancy will jointly manage the project.

If needed police will be used to direct traffic.

The work is scheduled to begin Jan. 2 and may last until May 2013.