The effort to remove trees killed by the southern pine beetle from Napeague and Hither Hills State Parks and other areas in East Hampton Town is underway, with trees being marked now for cutting that is scheduled to begin next month.
In August, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced that the State Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation had awarded a $2.2 million, three-year contract for forest management in areas that have experienced significant impact from the invasive species. The contract is to focus on areas near houses, trails, and Montauk Highway while creating access for fire departments to reduce risk to lives and property in the event of a wildfire.
The $2.2 million currently allocated is to prepare the sites for prescribed burns. State park crews have mobilized to begin clearing downed trees near the Montauk transfer station and remove stumps, using an excavator when necessary, along parts of the Paumanok Path. A mulcher is also shredding downed trees into mulch. Many trees along the Napeague stretch are marked with red paint for removal.
The clearing work, according to the Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation, will be directed by a hazard and risk analysis and fire management plan, which is still being finalized by the contractor, Star Tree Wildfire Protection, with input from the State Office of Parks and other stakeholders. The analysis and plan will guide prescribed burn plans and fuel reduction priorities.
Prescribed fire is planned for the sites in the future as a means to further reduce fine fuels like grasses and shrubs, maintain low fuel density, and to restore natural communities, according to the governor’s office.
On affected town-owned lands, the Buckskill Meadow Preserve will be the first area addressed, with a contractor already removing dead pines and widening roads, Councilman Tom Flight said this month. That work will then be reviewed by Star Tree Wildfire Protection, he said. When it is deemed to meet required standards, attention will turn to the Edwards Hole preserve, off Route 114 in East Hampton, and the Grace Estate in East Hampton’s Northwest Woods. There are old roads in need of opening in both areas, with trees inhibiting access for fire vehicles, Mr. Flight said.
Concurrently, he said, the town is working with the state to address overgrown areas in Montauk’s Hither Woods. In all town areas, regrading of roads may also be required.
Tree cutting can take place between Dec. 1 and Feb. 28 each year in order to protect the northern long-eared bat during its hibernation period. Piling work can happen throughout the year. Piles will be burned, chipped, or hauled from the site, with the disposal method dependent on the particular location.
The town board approved a $24,000 expenditure for tree removal services on Nov. 6, and an additional $5,000 for fire road tree maintenance on Nov. 18.
