WBIW.com News - local

Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana

Firewood Cutting Permits Available To Help With Hazard Tree Clean-up At Patoka Lake

Last updated on Wednesday, November 9, 2016

(PATOKA) - Local residents are invited to assist Patoka Lake in cutting up hazard trees dropped by staff in high use areas throughout the property through the purchase of firewood permits.

Firewood permit will be available depending on weather and staff time.

Property employees are removing trees that threaten to fall or lose limbs, primarily in high traffic areas such as the modern campground, fisherman's campground, and beach area. Most trees have suffered damage from the emerald ash borer. Others are simply finishing their natural life cycle and must be removed because of their locations adjacent to buildings or areas that people frequent.
 
Local residents may cut up and haul away as firewood for $10 per pick-up truck load.
 
A permit will be required and can be obtained at the property office between 8 a.m. till 3 p.m. on weekdays. Days, hours and access to specific areas for cutting will be determined by weather conditions and availability of downed hazard trees. Call the park office at (812) 685-2464 for updates.
 
Purchasers of this firewood must agree to comply with any quarantine requirements for ash they may cut and remove. Under the current EAB quarantine, ash firewood movement is allowed in Orange, Dubois, and Crawford County to all adjoining counties, as all those counties are quarantined and EAB infested.  

Any wood of any species that is brought back to the park or used at any state property must have the bark removed as required by DNR's firewood rule.

Purchasers are encouraged to use all of the firewood they cut this winter, and if some remains, it is suggested that the wood be completely covered for storage through the spring and summer, when harmful insects, if present at all, may emerge from under the bark.
 
All funds received from the firewood permits will be designated for resource management efforts in the property.

"The Division of State Parks' mission requires that we manage our natural and cultural resources wisely and, at the same time, provide safe and enjoyable access for our visitors," says Ginger Murphy, Deputy Director for Stewardship. "We leave many downed trees to decay and build new soil, but with the influence of disease, drought and the need to keep our roadsides and recreation facilities clear, we must remove the trees from public areas when leaving them can interfere with picnicking and other activities. Firewood permits help our limited staff manage that effort, and funds are generated for resource management and restoration in the park at the same time. It is a win-win situation."

Patoka Lake (stateparks.IN.gov/2953.htm) is located near Birdseye, IN approximately 12 miles south of French Lick, IN.

1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com

© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Click here to go back to previous page