Community Corner

Clear-Cut Area Along Rt. 58 Set For 'Forest Regeneration Project'

It's difficult not to notice the stretch of wooded area on Black Rock Road that seems to have been clear-cut, nearly devoid of its white pine trees in some places.

But the woods will not look barren forever - this stretch bordering Rt. 58 is part of what's known as the Forest Regeneration Project.

The wooded area in question is part of the Centennial Watershed State Forest (CWSF).

CWSF is owned by Aquarion, the State Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Nature Conservancy. It's managed by the Conservation Land Committee, which consists of members of each of the aforementioned organizations.

According to Aquarion, approximately 130 acres of the 15,000-acre CWSF (including the Easton portion) were devastated by Hurricane Sandy in October 2012.

"On that day, winds from the storm blew down trees and weakened many others," according to the Forest Regeneration Project's website.

Following Sandy, the Conservation Land Committee spent several months surveying the damage and determining what to do next with the help of certified foresters.

The next step was launched in January, when the Forest Regeneration Project began "with the purpose of restoring forest health," according to the site.

The project consists of removing fallen, damaged, and vulnerable trees susceptible to wind damage to begin the process of regeneration.

"Restoring forest health, including invasive species and fire threat reduction, makes this project necessary," according to the project site.

Some dead and heavily damaged trees are left standing as they provide refuge and nesting sites for some wildlife species.

Logging crews are working to remove the clear-cut trees. The logs are being trucked to sawmills in Canada and Maine to help defray costs for the project.

Once all the logs have been removed - set to be completed in May - the forest "will naturally regenerate to harbor a much broader - and healthier - mix of species," according to the project website. 

Expect to see black birch, sugar maple, ash, beech, yellow poplar, red maple, white pine, and oak trees in this "new" forest.

New trees are set to grow as warmer weather returns - and Fairfield has begun to see its share of warm weather. Seedlings will be clearly visible from the road in approximately five years, according to the project website.

For more information, visit the Forest Regeneration Project site. Any questions or concerns can be forwarded to forestregeneration@aquarionwater.com.


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