DNR to Islanders: Don’t fret

Islanders up in arms about a possible timber cut on Department of Natural Resources land near Langley should stop worrying.

“Islanders up in arms about a possible timber cut on Department of Natural Resources land near Langley should stop worrying.“I don’t think people need to worry,” said Mark Morrow, DNR information officer at its Northwest office in Sedro-Woolley.The 600-acres labeled Goss Lake/Section 32 between Lone Lake and Saratoga roads is being studied by forestry personnel. “But I’d hesitate to call it a harvest plan,” Morrow said. “Managers are taking information, taking plots.”Markers on trees prompted area resident Kirk Francis to mount a public campaign to save the forest, which is heavily used for recreation. Rep. Kelly Barlean, R-Langley, on Tuesday introduced a bill in the Legislature that would protect the land from clearcutting.But Morrow said islanders need not fear a large clearcut in the area. “We wouldn’t just walk in with a chainsaw and start rippin’ and snortin’,” he said. “It has obvious recreation value.”Some selective cutting is possible in the future, particularly if any of the trees are diseased, Morrow said. But first there would be public notification and public input. “The community will be notified,” he said.”