Forest health disclosure proposed by Summit Realtors

FRISCO - Summit Association of Realtors representative Ken Deshaies introduced a proposed forest health disclaimer at a meeting of the Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force on Thursday. Designed to inform prospective real estate buyers about the changing nature of our local forest, the disclaimer would also advise new property owners about the need to create defensible space around their structures. Deshaies told the task force that the disclaimer, now under review by legal counsel, would ultimately become part of their standard residential property disclosure form when approved by the association's membership.

Also at the meeting, Leadville Mayor Bud Elliott described the growing beetle problem in Lake County. Since most of their lodgepole pines are smaller in diameter due to a shorter growing season, the spread of pine beetles has only become evident there over the past two years. The forest south of Twin Lakes and off Highway 74 is now displaying a proliferation of dead and dying trees. Elliott hopes that the unified beetle relief bill under consideration by Congress will provide some help.

Colorado Timber Industry Association president Carl Spaulding reported on a project to determine how improved processing practices might make use of beetle killed timber while planning for a future forest able to support a modest local wood products industry. According to Spaulding, any sustainable forest products industry will require that sufficient timber land be made available for forest regeneration.

Also, environmental landscape engineer Brad Piehl summarized the Sept. 14 Our Future Summit forum, which described the certain fate of a single aged, single species forest landscape affected by a massive beetle infestation, disease and drought. Appreciating the difference of opinion about what constitutes an appropriate level of forest management in the backcountry was a valuable outcome from the panel discussion, he said.

Courtney Staatz, representing Senator Wayne Allard's office, announced that the nine-member Colorado congressional delegation will meet with Colorado Counties Inc. next week to continue the process of drafting a unified pine beetle relief bill.

The Oct. 5 meeting of the Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force will feature a conversation with representatives from Denver Water and the Rocky Mountain Insurance Information Association. The event is free and open to the public.

The Mountain Pine Beetle Task Force is a grassroots program sponsored by Our Future Summit and The Greenlands Reserve Land Trust. The group holds twice-monthly forums where members of the public share perspectives on challenges posed by the pine beetle phenomenon with forest professionals, timber industry representatives, tree service providers, environmental advocates and decision makers from various levels of government. An important goal of the task force is to foster a sustainable forest and mountain landscape through collaboration.