The Forestry Resources program currently is comprised of four projects. The projects are Fire Management Planning, Forest Inventory and Planning, Integrated Resource Management Planning (IRMP), and Wildland Urban Interface (WUI).
The Fire Management Planning project worked toward the development of a fire management plan for the Tribe. It was developed through collaborative effort between the Environment Division, Emergency Planning and the Hogansburg Akwesasne Volunteer Fire Department. The purpose of the plan was to develop goals, objectives and strategies for reducing and preventing fires from wild land areas and their impacts to community resources. It also provides mechanisms for fire department cost reimbursement from fighting brush fires and provides access to firefighting training.
Forest Inventory and Planning is a project that utilized aerial photography and Geographic Information System (GIS) technologies and direct field surveys to measure the forests on tribal lands. The project resulted in the publication of the Forest Inventory Analysis Report, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, Akwesasne, New York, Field Inventory Conducted Ohiari:ha/June-Seskeha/August 2003 & 2004. This publication is available by visiting the Environment Division where it can be read.
Forestry Inventory and Planning is now working on the development of a Forest Management Plan for tribal lands and will take about 2-years to develop. Community participation and feedback will be an important part of the development of this project. The purpose of the Forest Management Plan will be to provide the community with assistance in achieving their own forestland use goals whether it be to produce firewood, timber or provide habitat for wildlife.-- Photo taken by Cassie David.
Integrated Resource Management Planning is a comprehensive resource use project that has been ongoing for several years. The Integrated Resource Management Plan (IRMP) conducted research through a phone survey and focus groups to learn of the most critical natural resource issues and needs in the community. A comprehensive survey of standing planning documents was conducted to examine how organizational activities may impact natural resources on tribal lands. Research of documents and papers was conducted to characterize the past and present condition of tribal natural resources.
The IRMP developed a broad and comprehensive overview of existing resources such as water resources, land, wildlife and forests. A special study was conducted under the IRMP to map terrestrial communities on tribal lands. This study characterized the communities utilizing the NY Natural Heritage Program measurement system.
The Draft IRMP is currently available for review and comment through a 60-day comment period (beginning Onerahtokha/April 1, 2008).
The Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) project is relate to the Fire Management Plan project in that it is a mechanism to achieve reduced fire hazard by removal of brush and woody debris near and around homes, critical infrastructure and governmental facilities. The WUI project has provided services to the elderly, financially disadvantaged and to tribal programs with its 5 man crew that cuts brush and removes dead and down trees throughout the summer months.
The Forestry Resources program routinely coordinates health and monitoring of forest resources with the US Forest Service and the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Annually, low level flyovers are conducted to survey and map potential problem areas where dead or dying trees are found. The US Forest Service provides insect identification and bulletins on insect pests. -- Photo taken by Daniel Benedict.
On the Horizon
The Forestry Resources program is very concerned for forest health and has been working directly with federal and state agencies to learn about forest pests and how to control them.
A potential threat to the ash trees is the Emerald Ash Borer (EAB), introduced to North American sometime around 1992 in the Detroit, Michigan area and now spreading to several other states and to Ontario. Emerald Ash Borer, Agrilus planipennis, attacks only ash trees and infestation is always fatal because of the shear numbers they reproduce in and the damage they do to trees.
The only way to control it at this time is by establishing quarantines on the movement of wood products from infested areas. Unfortunately, many people have not obeyed the quarantines and have contributed to the spread of EAB. While EAB is not yet in New York it is close by in Toronto, Ontario. There is great potential for it to move with black ash logs and firewood.
There is a web site dedicated to EAB where more information can be found and where information is updated regularly. http://www.emeraldashborer.info/.
The Forestry Resources Program has EAB information available at its offices. Please stop by for more information.
Black Ash
The Forestry Resources Program is working on a collaborative effort with the SUNY Ranger School, NYSDEC, Mohawk Council of Akwesasne and the Akwesasne Task Force on the Environment on managing black ash to increase forest health and production. This project will take about 3-years to complete and will yield valuable information on the proper management of black ash.