FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 1, 2008

   Forest Products Available under Permit to Help Reduce Fuels

   (See attached file: Small_sales-projex.doc)

   The U.S. Forest Service and BLM are offering several opportunities for

   the public to gather forest products under permit in selected areas in

   the Durango, Bayfield and Pagosa Springs areas in an effort to reduce

   fuels buildup and lower fire danger near communities. The available

   forest products range from firewood to posts and poles; all materials

   will require a permit to gather.

   East of Durango, precut, pre-limbed and pre-topped ponderosa pines are

   available under permit for use as firewood, posts or poles in the

   aftermath of a fuels-reduction project completed this spring on a

   24-acre BLM parcel surrounded by private property in the Rabbit Mountain

   area. The area is accessed via County Road 502.

   North of Durango, large amounts of Rocky Mountain juniper are available

   under permit for personal or commercial use in the Tripp Gulch area

   north of Durango prior to a fuels-reduction project. The standing

   juniper trees range from 30 to 50 feet in height, with an average 10- to

   12-inch diameter. The trees are straight, with few limbs and very little

   taper, and would work well for use as posts, rails, coyote fencing,

   latias, furniture or firewood.  A limited number of permits will be

   issued to individuals wanting large quantities.

   In the Pagosa Springs area, juniper posts are available under permit at

   a cutting area across from the Chimney Rock Archaeological Area Visitors

   Center. Green standing pines are available for cutting for use as poles

   along the Brockover Road, lower Turkey Springs Road and in Echo Canyon

   on the Pagosa Ranger District.

   To obtain permits or more information on products available in the

   Durango and Bayfield areas, contact Beth Vance, Columbine Small Sales

   Forester at 970 884-1411. To obtain permits or more information on

   products available near Pagosa Springs, contact Gretchen Fitzgerald,

   Pagosa Small Sales Forester at 264-1535.  Permits are available at all

   San Juan Public Lands offices in southwest Colorado.