The Municipality of North Cowichan has awarded a contract to Integrated Operations Group Inc. to salvage blowdown on Stoney Hill and Mount Tzouhalem.
A press release from the municipality said that as with all blowdown salvage areas, contractors are asked to remove damaged timber only, and all undamaged timber will be left standing as long as there are no safety risks by doing so.
“Blowdown salvage harvesting [was] anticipated to begin on Stoney Hill the week of June 24, but there is a possibility of delays given the fire hazard rating for the area,” the release said.
“North Cowichan adheres to the provincial guidelines for harvesting during hot, dry weather and harvesting activities will be postponed if necessary depending on the weather.”
In March, North Cowichan’s council decided to harvest trees that blew down or were heavily damaged in the windstorm that hit the area in December, 2018.
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Assessments to inventory the blowdown throughout the municipal forestry reserve began in January and the requests for proposal were released in May seeking contractors to salvage the council-approved blowdown salvage areas.
A contract was awarded in May for blowdown salvage on Maple Mountain.
Some trail closures will be in place during the blowdown salvage work on Stoney Hill and Mount Tzouhalem.
Before heading out to the mountain, the public is asked to check online at www.northcowichan.ca/trails to ensure that their planned route is open, and adhere to on-site signage and area closures to avoid any potential safety risks.
