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SATURDAY April 3 , 2004 - Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels April 2, 2004 Incursion pauses logging work By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings Helicopter logging operations were halted briefly Thursday when a local environmental activist and a newspaper reporter ventured too near the landing site at the top of Granite Street. "When they saw people up on the ridge, they halted the operation," City Administrator Gino Grimaldi said this morning. Ashland Fire & Rescue Chief Keith Woodley, who oversees the project for the city, did not know how long operations were suspended or what the cost to the project might be for the stoppage. He did make a point to remind curious residents that the area is hazardous Piles of logs on the project site at the top of Granite Street grow larger daily as a helicopter drops off loads every few minutes from dawn to dusk. The goal of the City of Ashland's project is to reduce wildfire risk and improve forest health by thinning 183 acres. Myles Murphy | Ashland Daily Tidings and off limits for the next two weeks. "By April 17, people can go in there again," Woodley said. Helicopters on Monday started lifting logs from the thinned area on city-owned land in the Ashland Watershed. By Thursday, three large decks of logs had been stacked at the landing site above the swimming hole at the top of Granite Street. The sheer volume of trees and the diameters of a few larger specimens had local environmental activist Eric Navickas concerned. "The amount of biomass being removed here is alarming," Navickas said Thursday, while hiking up a small ridge to the side of the landing area. Armed with photos of the large decks and big cut trees - a few with diameters approaching three feet - Navickas prompted the editorial staff of the Tidings to take a closer look, and a reporter was sent with Navickas to a vantage point near the area where logs were being dropped off. While taking photos, the pair entered an area reserved for use in the event of a helicopter emergency, triggering the shut down, according to Grimaldi. "If everything goes right, there's probably no risk, but if something goes wrong, that area is a danger zone," Grimaldi. There have been a small number of innocent - and perhaps less-than-innocent - incursions into the area, according to Grimaldi. "There were some people there the evening before, and I believe there have been some people inadvertently on the site," he said. The repeated removal of a number of signs warning of road closures is not likely linked to any protest of the project, Grimaldi added. "People always steal signs, we have them stolen all the time," Grimaldi said. "I don't believe there's any relation." After taking a dozen photos, the pair hiked back down to where they had parked near the swimming hole. A cluster of law enforcement vehicles and officers awaited them. Concerned by incursions the night before and the inherent dangers of mixing humans with helicopters, the contractors on the site had called the authorities. Many responded, including Grimaldi and Woodley. Two or three Ashland Police cars, about the same number of Jackson County Sheriff's vehicles and a few USFS law enforcement rigs soon joined the scene. Woodley and Grimaldi arrived last. As he tramped down the hill, Navickas at first wondered what all the commotion was about. "This isn't all for us, is it?" Navickas said. It was. The two were detained for about 20 minutes while officers checked their identifications and waited for direction. Grimaldi and Woodley took Navickas aside and informed him if he wanted to return to the area, a tour could be arranged. A bystander who had parked nearby was temporarily trapped by the sheer number of enforcement vehicles. Navickas conceded that this project was better than some, and that he's looking more at the Mt. Ashland ski area expansion as an area of more concern. But he still doesn't like the cutting of bigger trees. "When you look at the log deck, you see a lot of trees," Grimaldi agreed, adding that the trees are being cut in accordance to a plan formulated by the Forest Lands Commission with years of public input. The city's forestry consultant, Marty Main, has been monitoring the project. Mann said contractor Superior Helicopter of Grants Pass is following the intent of the city. "I've been really satisfied with that," Main said. "The stands look really good." Grimaldi said the trees are the first thing that has to be cut, which makes the project look more sweeping than it is. Crews have already begun to pile the slash and smaller fire hazardous materials in areas where logging work has been completed. Eventually the piles will have to be burned. Main invites anyone who wants to see for themselves to give him a call at 552-1479. For those who lean toward more direct action, the police response Thursday is an indication of what to expect. Throughout the incident, Navickas - a veteran of many protest actions - was calm and collected, speaking pleasantly with police and advising the reporter to stay calm. After being released, Navickas said with a smile, "Now you know what it feels like." Logging trucks are scheduled to begin hauling logs down Granite street on Monday. 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