Work on contract to remove dead trees from watershed could begin soon, pending council vote at Tuesday’s meeting 

By Morgan Rothborne, Ashland.news

An extensive and expensive helicopter logging project will be up for discussion at the City Council study session Monday. 

City staff will present current data and plans for the upcoming project to remove dead and dying trees from Siskiyou Mountain Park and the watershed, according to a staff report from Ashland Fire & Rescue Wildfire Division Chief Chris Chambers. 

The City Council will be given information on timeline, scope, cost estimates, trail closures and three options for how the project could be completed. On Tuesday, the council will be asked to vote on a contract with helicopter logging firm Timberline Logging Enterprises for the project. 

The plans for helicopter logging are a continuation of previous council work such as approving the 2023 addendum to the Ashland Forest Plan and the recent award and completion of a tree marking contract with nonprofit Lomakatsi Restoration Project, according to the agenda item. 

In other council business Monday, Ashland Fire Marshal Mark Shay will present an update to the city’s fire code. 

The study session begins at 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, in the Ashland City Council chamber, 1175 East Main St. The meeting can be attended in person or watched remotely through Channel 9 or Channels 180 and 181 (Charter Communications) or live streamed via rvtv.sou.edu select RVTV Prime. Public testimony will be accepted for the meeting and can be delivered either via Zoom, in person, or as written comment. To sign up for public comment, fill out the public testimony form. 

Email Ashland.news reporter Morgan Rothborne at morganr@ashland.news.