The
Church
Universal and Triumphantâ
Office
of the President
Dear Members Who Love the Land:
The Board of Directors is pleased to
present the proposed Forest Management Plan (“Plan”) for the Royal Teton Ranch.
Mr. Dan Pittman, our forestry consultant, prepared this report. The Plan identifies the general condition of
each of our forest management blocks, and the overview of his recommendations
to treat specific blocks. This
Plan is intended as a management tool.
It is anticipated that management actions could span a period of ten
years or more. Because forest
management is a long-term project, the Board will review the Plan on an ongoing
basis.
We
are asking for your comments during the 30-day comment period beginning
The Board wants you to know that
they have spent a significant amount of time reviewing the options for the
forestry management of the Ranch, including on-site visits with Mr.
Pittman. The Board also understands that
there are different perspectives on how to manage forests. However, we have and will continue to seek
the best management solutions for our precious land that will address some of
the urgent forestry management needs, as well as maintain the aesthetic
qualities of the forest.
During the July conference, we
toured the burned area from last year’s fire and much of the surrounding
forested area. We were very happy to
see green shoots popping up in the burned area, but we were also reminded of
just how devastating a fire can be and how important it is to have a plan for
our property.
As members who are interested in this land, it is important for
you to know that fire is an ever-present threat. The forested land has not been managed for approximately one
hundred years. At that time some mining
and logging were done in the area. This lack of attention has allowed the
forested land to generate very high fuel loads made up of overcrowded trees,
‘ladder’ fuels and dead branches, brush and undergrowth. This growth is so thick in places, it is
almost impossible to walk through it.
Because of the dense growth, when the Little Joe Fire ignited last
summer, fire fighters estimated it would burn 20,000 acres. It appears that it was only by the grace of
God, and much prayer, that the fire was contained to approximately 254 acres on
our land and 606 acres on Forest Service and
We have also been advised that
insect infestations pose another threat to the forested land. Infected stands of trees that are left alone
create an opportunity for infestation to spread widely throughout the forest.
Old trees with thick bark are particularly vulnerable and need to be
protected. Last summer an Entomologist
(a scientist who specializes in the study of insects) spent time on the ranch
and conducted a study of insect infestation in our forest. His report indicates
that the Douglas Fir Beetle is the pest most likely to cause significant
amounts of tree mortality in the near future.
Some stands in the western part of
We believe that the Forest
Management Plan is wise stewardship of the land for our children, their
children, and generations beyond to enjoy.
Nevertheless, although the
implementation of the Plan will be gradual and the activities may often be out
of sight, active forest management will bring about some noticeable changes before
the forest regenerates. There will be places where trees will be thinned out,
although it is a goal to maintain many of the oldest trees on our land. There
will be controlled burns of undergrowth from time to time. There will be trucks
and equipment and there may, in the future, be helicopters for use in some
areas. Every effort will be made to
time the work so that it causes minimal impacts on our conferences.
When the Board spoke of their intent
to protect the land last summer at the annual Freedom Conference in 2001, they
assured the community that the decisions made about the forest would be made
with a view to maintaining or improving the health and integrity of the
land. They also explained their intent
to give our members a chance to review our consultant’s Plan before the Board
approved it. That is why we are asking
for your input.
The order of work or prescriptions
in the Plan might be changed due to natural forces such as snow, ice, wind,
water, and fire changing the environment. Or, insects could be discovered to be
moving quickly and require a more rapid solution.
Finally, the Rocky Mountain Elk
Foundation, a major conservation group, has expressed to us how pleased they
are that we chose to work with Mr. Pittman as we develop our plans for the
land’s preservation. They said they have a high degree of respect and trust for
him and his professionalism. We are
also proud that Mr. Pittman was recently selected by the Society of American
Foresters to create national exams to raise forestry standards across the
country.
We share the deep concern and love
for our land that many of our members feel.
We believe that doing nothing is not the best way to manage and protect
our land. Although the Plan recommends
the thinning of trees in various areas, the aesthetic value of the land
(including the Heart) is also being carefully considered. We believe the Plan provides a good
foundation for decisions regarding the health of our forest which will help ensure
our ability to enjoy its beauty for many generations to come.
Thank you very much for your careful
consideration and comments on the Forest Management Plan for our forested
lands.
Sincerely,
Kate
Gordon and Lois Drake
Presidents
of The
and on behalf of
the Board of Directors