Formerly a place of great peace and serenity, Saddle tree Gap Camp is clear cut by the Forest Service

Update on my conversation with District Supervisor at bottom of page

Update on my recent trip here. Article on Clear Cut

this is how the forest was left after the clear cut in November of 2007. It remains this way today.

Before the clear cut below Same view after the clear cut.

We counted over 84 mature stumps. We did not count anything less than four inches in diameter which would put the total well over 100. Supervisor Hilliard told me that she authorized a cut of 20-30 trees. Too bad she wasn't aware of Bob's Bald, a cleared area close by that could certainly accommodate many more helicopters.

Yes, this is the spot where we camp every year.; I spoke with the district ranger who confirmed that they cut this area in the event they had to evacuate an injured firefighter.; He also acknowledged that no firefighter was injured so this cut was
absolutely unnecessary.; Looks like a Make Work; project. According to the ranger, this was done in November of last year.; He gave me the
name of the person who authorized this clear cutting.; I had several questions of the ranger that are outlined below:;
The; most recent conversation is at the bottom of this page.
If you could get guys up there with chain saws, did you really need a helicopter?
What about landing at Bob's Bald,
an already cleared area, a natural bald not far away?
Was this a documented wildfire?
How far down Deep Creek was the burn?
I thought the forest service had a let it burn policy.
What kind of helicopter did you land, a Chinook.; I told him you could land a carrier group on that
clear cut.
After telling me that ;I hated to do it.Then why did you? I discussed our disappointment
and how the Highlanders had been camping up there for a quarter century and this didn't seem like a very well thought out plan.

I let him know that we would follow this situation and expect more detailed answers from the District Supervisor, Ms. Mary Sue Hilliard.

Conversation with Ranger
Mary Sue Hilliard, District Supervisor, Western North Carolina;
(Findleys Boss)

May 29, 2008 at 4:30 pm.

I have outlined my questions in bold and her response in regular type.

was this a documented wildfire?
Yes, it was called the Middle Creek Fire and was started by a
campfire

How large was the fire? (unable to provide answer)

What is the protocol for clear cutting for helicopters?

Permission is requested in this case from District Ranger Frank Findley (the man with whom I
originally spoke) I(Hilliard) authorized permission to cut 20-30 trees for the purpose of creating a staging area to fight fire.; The
Forest Service Protocols are as follows:; I can authorize small cuts to get crews in and make water drops.  This, of course, must be
requested by the district ranger.
How did the crews get to the campsite?

(unable to provide answer)

Why not land at Bob?s Bald?;
(unfamiliar with Bob's bald)
Have you ever been there?

No.
Is there a reforestation plan? ;

We sent crews up there to
rehab the place, remove the dead trees etc but no plan to replant presently due to remoteness of location.
I was told this was done to evacuate any potentially injured firefighters by Ranger Findley.

It was my understanding its use was for a staging area. The Highlanders wish to offer their services to
assist in reforesting the area.

I need to speak with Ranger Findley, it may be too remote.;

Since there is already a helicopter pad, it would be simple to land the saplings
up there, we would be glad to assist in this project.; Our concern is to keep this from becoming a permanent landing pad

I will speak to the Ranger.

What is your policy on letting wildfires burn for the good of the forest in natural lightning strike fires?;

We are pursuing this for this area.; It would save us money and be good for the forest.; This fire, however, was the result of a
campfire.

I informed her that we had been making bi-annual pilgrimages to that
spot for almost a quarter century and were intimately familiar with
the trees and camped on that particular spot.; Some comments of
interest by Ranger Hilliard were, ?I was told this area was already
somewhat cleared.?; And ?I am not familiar with Bob's Bald or the
Hangover? I let her know that there are dozens of us that are very
upset about this, that we are not rabid environmentalists who knee
jerk with every lost tree that we camped on the very spot that was
clear cut.; Also told her it looked like a lot of chainsaw happy ?Hot
Shots?.; Asked how they could get up there with chainsaws she was
unsure.; She was very nice and accommodating and says she will call
the Ranger to get more answers and let us know if we may be of
assistance
Let Ms Hilliard know what you think of this travesty. Her number is 828 257 4268