One of the unexpected consequences of Tropical Storm Irene is the cancellation of the personal firewood lottery for the 2012 season by the VT Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (FPR).
The popular program allows Vermonters to cut up to three cords of designated standing trees for personal use firewood from state lands for $10/cord. The trees are measured and marked by FPR staff, as groups of hardwoods close to State Forest Highways to make cutting and hauling by hand easier.
Safety is an important concern in both the planning and access of these firewood areas. As FPR staff assessed the impact of Irene on roads and trails, it was discovered that areas scheduled for firewood cutting have been heavily impacted as far as accessibility and safety of roads and bridges. Some of these areas will be repaired in the construction season of 2012, which will present further conflicts for access on narrow forest roads.
FPR has decided to cancel the 2012 lottery which was expected to take place in January 2012. The department will continue to supply firewood for needy Vermonters through the ‘Wood Warms’ program. This program supplies logs directly from FPR timber sales to nonprofit community organizations which provide volunteer labor to saw, split and deliver wood in their communities. This program has provided up to 100 cords of firewood per year for low income citizens.
FPR anticipates the firewood lottery will return as roads and stream crossings are repaired. In the meantime, Vermonters are encouraged to contact local firewood vendors and to avoid bringing firewood from more than 50 miles from home to lessen the chance of importing invasive insect pests.
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Irene aftermath affects Vermont FPR wood lottery
Submitted by tim
on