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SOUTHERN STUMPIN’
Cooperation EDITOR’S NOTE: My friend at the Virginia Loggers Assn., Ron Jenkins, asked if we could publish this article by Michelle Stoll, Director of Public Information, Virginia Dept. of Forestry. I was happy to make a space to accommodate his request. It previously appeared in the December 2020 edition of the VLA's newsletter.
one to bridge-two seamless. “I was very impressed with Donnie’s ability to listen and suggest alternative ways to stabilize the crossing during use,” recalls Kevin. “Donnie used the existing brush on both sides of the crossing to create a corduroy pad that would keep the equipment from rutting the approaches and prevent any potential erosion or sedimentaemember those old cartoons with the coyote tion. He also suggested using two main bladed and the sheep dog clocking in to work, the trails, which was an idea that I had not previouscoyote set on eating the sheep and the sheep ly considered, but after listening to his reasoning dog determined to stop the coyote? These two were (L-R)Virginia state forester Rob Farrell, bridge builder I thought it was worth a respectable try.” always at odds and that was just the nature of their The job began in August of 2020 and as of Binky Tapscott (behind), logger Donnie Reaves (front), water quality specialist Kevin Dawson, Virginia Secretary jobs. Well, some people may assume the same is Thanksgiving was approximately 75% complete. of Agriculture & Forestry Bettina Ring true for Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF) The Lynchburg area received separate rain events water quality personnel and loggers, but they Improvement Fund. This program helps logging of four in., five in., and 10+ in. during this harvest would be wrong! “We’re really on the same side contractors cover the cost of implementing Best and the bridges as well as the approaches have and when we work together and keep each other Management Practices (BMPs) on stream crossing held up better than ever expected. Donnie used a informed, everyone wins,” explains VDOF Water sites across the state. The program covers 50% of combination of temporary diversions and brush Quality Specialist Kevin Dawson. the cost of BMP installation up to $2,500, or matting to prevent soil compaction, soil rutting, Kevin, forestry consultant Todd Goode and $5,000 if the project includes the purchase of a erosion, and sedimentation. Kevin explains that logging company owner Donnie Reaves have portable bridge. Kevin submitted the cost share each week he has responded to many phone calls been working together on a job that proves partpaperwork at the same time to secure funding to questioning the project and has conducted weekly nership and communication are more than just help Donnie with this project. inspections of the property because he knows that words. As a result of pre-planning, intentional Donnie knew he needed a bridge that would there are many eyes that view this harvest daily. and open communication, and a sound relationadequately support his tracked sawhead, and he He has yet to find any erosion or sediment entership built on mutual interests, one harvest in contacted Binky Tapscott of Forest Pro, Inc., to ing the stream channel. Once the project is comLynchburg City has proven to be stress-free and perform the construction. They settled on a 35-ft. pleted the bridge will be removed, VDOF will a success for all involved. steel bridge with extra I-beams under the outer close out paperwork for the Logger BMP costTodd and Donnie contacted Kevin in June of panels for added strength. The plan also called share project and process the payment. 2020 about a potentially complicated timber harfor logs under the ends of each bridge to make “I’ve seen pictures of the bridge with a bullvest in Lynchburg. The site crossed a stream and the crossing level and the transition from bridge- dozer sitting on it after heavy rains, the creek was in a particularly visible location. The location swollen, an incredible amount of fast-moving had all the elements of a difficult job fraught with water, all while the stream banks look undiswater quality problems and public scrutiny. Donturbed by the logging,” according to VLA Execnie and Todd recognized this and reached out to utive Director Ron Jenkins. Kevin to request a pre-harvest plan and assistance Donnie’s willingness to listen and take the time with installing a temporary bridge. to install the necessary control measures during the “Donnie and Todd foresaw the potential issues harvest made this endeavor successful. In addition and reached out for help from VDOF,” Kevin to Donnie’s efforts to enlist VDOF’s expertise and says. “This kind of communication and trust involvement prior to beginning the harvest, the goes a long way to make a positive harvest that City of Lynchburg has also been an important everyone walks away happy with.” stakeholder. “They have been great to work with, The site posed two significant challenges: the and I keep them informed on a regular basis with need to cross Dreaming Creek as well as a city any developments I observe while conducting my Following several inches of rain, bridge remains strong sewer line running adjacent to the creek. Kevin harvest inspections,” Kevin says. and the stream remains clear and free of sediment. wrote the pre-harvest plan on June 18, 2020 and This job is a perfect example of what happens submitted it to Todd, Donnie, when the communication and Lynchburg City. The plan between parties is open and involved a double bridge honest. All parties have been By Donnie Reaves crossing at Dreaming Creek, willing to listen to one anothone set of bridges to traverse er, and that makes things This was a wonderful project created by some great people coming together. It was the sewer line and the second simple when it comes to the WE factor that made it happen and not just one person. Kevin Dawson of the Virset to cross the stream. Lynchcomplicated harvests. “I ginia Dept. of Forestry got it all started off on the right foot by helping me understand burg City was more than willthink the entire process has our options. Me done did doesses went and found me a goodess water quality man. ing to mark the sewer line. proven that when pre-harvest When it came to crossing this creek, I counted heavily on Uncle Binky Tapscott to build Donnie was able to take planning is involved along one that would allow my heavy equipment to cross and keep the water clean. Both men advantage of VDOF’s Logger with patience and determinawere so important to helping me. Also, I am thankful to Rob Farrell for making the fundBMP Cost Share Program that tion that complicated projects ing available to build the bridge. I sure hope Mr. Farrell didn’t have to give up a paycheck! takes advantage of funding are not as complicated as Finally, I give the Lord above all the credit for helping to move everyone in the right provided by the Commonthey may seem,” Kevin condirection for a successful outcome. Amen! SLT wealth’s Water Quality cludes.
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“We Done Did Doesses This Together”
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FEBRUARY 2021 l Southern Loggin’ Times
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