Friday, April 30, 2010

Baldy beetle project set to begin

Officials hope to limit beetle attacks on healthy trees


By JASON KAUFFMAN
Express Staff Writer

A project to protect large trees in and around the Bald Mountain ski area from Douglas fir bark beetles is set to begin next week.

The Sawtooth National Forest has hired a private helicopter contractor to apply pheromone methylcyclohexenone (MCH) flakes in the Bald Mountain area beginning Wednesday, May 5.

The pheromone is naturally produced by the beetles to let other beetles know there is no more room in a tree, thereby preventing overpopulation in a single tree. By replicating MCH and applying it to trees that have yet to be infested, the Forest Service can trick beetles into staying away from certain areas and keep them hunting elsewhere for trees to infest.

According to a news release from the Sawtooth National Forest, the helicopter flights will most likely be staged out of the Greyhawk parking lot at Warm Springs. Officials say the River Run parking lot may also be used for staging.

"We appreciate that Sun Valley Co. is allowing us the use of their parking lots for staging the helicopter flights," said Ketchum District Ranger Kurt Nelson. "We also appreciate the understanding of Bald Mountain recreationists who may be inconvenienced by the temporary closure of Bald Mountain access while the helicopter is in operation."

The helicopter will use the staging area to refuel and reload MCH flakes. The project is expected to take one to two days to complete, weather permitting.

In an interview last December, Joe Miczulski, recreation and winter sports specialist for the Ketchum Ranger District, said that while not biodegradable, the MCH flakes have never been connected with any adverse effects on humans, animals or the environment.

Sun Valley Co. is a project partner. To provide for public safety, the parking lot used for staging the helicopter and federal lands on Bald Mountain will be closed to all public use during the days the helicopter is flying.

The helicopter flights could start as early as 7 a.m. and run as late as a half hour after dusk.

The MCH flakes are effective for about 55 days. Officials say a second helicopter application of MCH flakes is planned for June 28, weather permitting.

For more information, call Joe Miczulski at 622-5371.

Jason Kauffman: jkauffman@mtexpress.com




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