Scappoose (Upper Gates): Herbicide spraying starting soon

Submitted Thu, 08/19/2010 - 3:59pm by Tom Slovak

As alluded to earlier this summer, herbicide spraying will soon commence in the recently logged parcels at Scappoose. 

Both local and aerial spraying may be employed for the application of the herbicide, and areas should be marked when they have been sprayed. 

Additional information (8/20/2010, thanks Ron Strasser),as posted at the upper gates of the recent clearcuts:

SITE PREP MIX



(Imazapyr, Glyphosate, Oust Xp, Triclopyr)



Application can begin on   8-23-2010

and continue until   9-30-2010



NO ENTRY IS PERMITTED WITHIN 48hrs OF APPLICATION

LONGVIEW TIMBER

Please be aware of this range of dates that the spraying my occur during, and heed the closures as posted for your own safety!

Thanks,

Tom Slovak

‹ Culvert repair work temporarily closes a portion of Leif Erikson Trail in Forest Park beginning September 13 REMINDER: Scappoose closed at night ›

Scappoose spraying

by Debbie - 2010-08-22 14:16

The upcoming herbicide spraying only affects the recently logged south trails, correct?  Or do we need to stay away from the north trails too?  I didn't see anything posted on the lower gate regarding closures this morning.

so open or closed today?

by econoline - 2010-08-24 16:14

Hey thanks for the update, we were about to head out there, planning to ride lollipop, the maze and NAM, that area anyway.  Does anyone know if it is closed/being sprayed today or if we are good to go?

We saw no signs of spraying

by econoline - 2010-08-24 22:17

So we decided to go ahead and risk heading out there tonight and it was pretty nice.  We didn't see any signs at the blue gate about spraying and nothing we wanted to ride appeared to be closed.  It would be really cool if someone from Longview could let someone know when the spraying actually started and some clarification on if it will all be closed or just in areas that were recently logged so we could get it up on the site right away.

Spraying...

by Tom Slovak - 2010-08-25 09:47

Hey Debbie/Econo,

Good questions.  As indicated in the top post, this should only affect the 'recently logged parcels' Scappoose.  In other words, this should not affect parcels that were not logged, like the first blue gate as you travel up Rocky Point Rd.

Herbicides are part of the commercial timber harvest cycle...

Per this explanation I found, which captures the basics pretty well:

"Forest herbicide application provides gains in seedling survival and growth rates by allocating water, nutrients and sunlight to the crop trees. Herbicide use also reduces fire hazard and improves access to timber stands. It can also be used to manipulate and improve wildlife habitat and to control invasive plants."

So in the case of Scappoose, the clearcut sections up top should be the only areas that are expected to be affected, in preparation of the site for seeding the next generation of trees.

However, as aerial spraying may be deployed to perform this activity--  keep your eyes open for posted closings that may affect adjacent parcels.  Besides herbicide spraying, there may be other forest operations (logging/road work/etc.) that could close a section of Scappoose to public entry, so be aware of any changes to user access _every_ time you visit Scappoose.

Thanks and enjoy the ride!

-Tom

Herbs

by fracturelines - 2010-08-29 21:17

Let us know when you start growing a 3rd arm or your skin starts to fall off. 

Steer Clear

by fracturelines - 2010-08-29 21:30

I did research on all these chemicals and they aren't nice. Half-Life(one of best game series ever) of some of these chemicals is up to 4 months after spraying...no thanks. We've got plenty of forest around and our group of riders has chosen to not risk any exposure to this stuff what so ever.

 http://www2.dupont.com/Land_Management/en_US/products_services/herbicides/Oust_XP_herbicide.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glyphosate

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triclopyr

http://environmentalcommons.org/cetos/criticalhabitat/imazapyr.pdf

Why even risk it? Regardless of what a sign that is posted says, if it even gets posted, doesn't mean you or me or the animals in the area are going to be safe from it. Wind and animals can carry this stuff into locations they are not intended to be. I'll steer clear for the time being. And god forbid a bike trail being built in a certain large urban park, but it's okay to clear cut and spray the living sh*t out of the area with chemicals that is directly next door. Haven't seen a Katu News or Oregon Live article about this atrocity, what in the sam hill........

Over, 

DC 

 

 

any news?

by .matthew - 2010-09-09 14:18

Any news on spraying out at Scappoose?

 I was thinking about grabbing a few runs down the S side tomorrow.

.matthew

ditto, any update?

by onegear29 - 2010-09-30 15:18

Original post said the spraying would end by 9/30 (today), like to legally partake fo the south trails on Sunday if possible. thx!