Timber harvester reaps reward

By SANDY LONG

HONESDALE, PA — A local family business has been recognized for its conscientious timber harvesting practices by being selected as the first recipient of the new Timber Harvester Recognition Award, sponsored by the Wayne Conservation District (WCD) and the Wayne County Fair Board.

Dunn’s Sawmill and Logging, of Honesdale, operated by family members John, Bill and Ryan Dunn, as well as son-in-law Jim Watson Jr., have plied their trade locally for 25 years.

The award recognizes outstanding professional performance by harvesters within the forest community and encourages peers to emulate that performance while improving the relationships between foresters, landowners and harvesters. It was conceived by WCD forest specialist Paul Reining, who noted, “There are lots of guys who do a great job, but attention is usually focused on the ones who don’t.”

When standards aren’t met, the impacts to water and land can be costly and destructive. The WCD is currently investigating two such complaints involving nine non-permitted stream crossings resulting in tree tops being left in stream channels and an absence of erosion-and-sediment controls in place. The result is often sediment entering the stream and adversely affecting aquatic life, from plants to insects to fish.

All the more reason to recognize harvesters who go above and beyond what’s required to avoid problems in the first place, says the WCD. “We want to recognize those harvesters who surpass the standards set by PA Department of Environmental Protection (DEP),” said Reining. “It’s important to know about those who go the extra mile, like Dunn’s.”

Watson expressed his appreciation for the award and explained the Dunn philosophy: “We respect the forests and the landowners. If we don’t treat them right, they won’t treat us right,” he said.

Harvesters must be nominated by a landowner or forester who is familiar with the harvester’s work. Once nominated, harvesters must provide information on an active site (currently being harvested) and a retired site (graded, seeded and mulched) completed within the past two calendar years, along with other materials. Members of the review committee will inspect sites and assess materials, including erosion and sediment control plans and any permits.

For eligibility and nomination information, contact Reining at 570/253-0930.

To better connect residents with timber harvesters using sustainable practices, the Delaware Highlands Conservancy, the region’s land trust, recently launched its Shop Local, Save Land Guide to Wood Products ( www.shoplocalsaveland.com ).

“We believe a strong network of local wood products providers, forest landowners, forestry professionals and the general public can foster the sustainability of healthy and economically productive forest lands,” conservancy executive director Sue Currier said. The shop local guide provides easy access to information about local wood products, services and artisans, as well as educational resources. For a copy, call 570/226-3164.