I wanted to write again about pine beetles and forest health. First off, for those of you who want to save your pines, please consider pheromone packs. You can easily staple the packs to your healthy pine trees and they’ll release a scent that will keep beetles away. Below you’ll find information for Ag-Bio, a local company that sells the packs. Beetles will be harvesting in Mid-July so get your packs now!
In recapping last week’s article, I wanted to highlight the steps we need to take as the pine beetle epidemic grows, as well as the incompetence our federal government has practiced in managing our forests. The steps are based on my research from having an environmental science background –
1. Pheromone Packs: We need to staple pheromone packs to our healthy pines within community areas, so that our local areas can retain their green landscapes.
2. Infected Trees: We need to cut down all pine trees that are infected, or killed, by the pine beetle. Controlled burns can also be considered, however, the burns would emit great amounts of carbon into our air, so cutting is preferable.
3. Re-Plant New Trees: We need to re-plant Spruces, Firs, Aspens, and Pines, so that we have a diversity of trees, making our forests more resilient and stronger, as each tree offers different strengths and weaknesses.
4. Comprehensive Plan: Future forests need to have a diversity of age. Thus, schemes of planting need to happen at different times, with a management plan in place, so that diversity of trees and ages are guaranteed.
5. Additional Funds: The State of Colorado and the Federal Government need to contribute more funds to this problem. In Colorado, forest health needs to become a statewide initiative. As a State Representative, I will spearhead requests for additional funds over statewide ballot. If approved by voters statewide, more funds can be collected for forest health, without violating TABOR laws. Our Congressional members, from there, need to secure more funds at the federal level.
Now understand this sad fact – exercising most options above will likely land you in federal prison. Great amounts of our forest areas in Summit, Eagle, Lake, Grand, and Routt counties are under the jurisdiction of the National Forest Service, thus, they are controlled under federal laws, not local ones.
Current federal policy dictates that we cannot touch National Forest areas, thus, if one staples a pheromone pack to a healthy pine, cuts down an infected tree, or even re-plants a new Spruce or Fir in National Forest area, then such actions will be grounds for federal prosecution. Thus, Washington DC is basically telling us that we cannot manage our own forests. We need to take back control of our forests.
As your State Representative, I will work to organize our Congressional and Senatorial delegation to rally around the united message of exemption, so that the state of Colorado can be exempt from federal government laws pertaining to forests. We can build a stronger forest, but we can’t do it until Washington DC gets off our back.
Peace and love to you all!
Ali Hasan
Candidate, House District 56
AgBio Pheromone Packs
303-469-9221
www.agbio-inc.com
