In the near future, motorists traveling on state Route 410 may notice some clearing on the hill between Sumner and Bonney Lake.
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has approved two Forest Practices Application permits for the logging of more than 200 acres of private property near Meyers Road.
A company and development group is planning a large clearcut on the hill east of Sumner along SR 410, according to an e-mail received by a member of the Lake Tapps Community Council from the state Department of Natural Resources.
According to the ananonymous e-mailed forwarded to The Courier-Herald, Commissioner of Public Land Peter Goldmark, sent a reply to the council member concerning the matter.
Two forest practice permits were approved and both went through the 30-day review process and no comments were received from the public, agencies or tribes, according to the commissioner.
The largest permit, approved last December, is a 150-acre area owned by Strawberry Creek East LLC and Strawberry Creek West LLC.
The land, which sits on top of the hill west of Meyers Road is visible to motorists and residents along 410. It has two contributaries on a slope.
“We estimated the trees are at least 80 years old on the property,” said Bruce McDonald, Forest Practices manager for the South Puget Sound Region. “Once cleared it will be noticeable.”
The other permit, approved in October, is for property owned by Meyers Road North LLC and Meyers Road South LLC.
The permit is for a 55-acre even-aged harvest between the existing Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) power line and Meyers Road. The property is flat with no waterways.
None of the property are in either the Bonney Lake or Sumner city limits
In Goldmark’s e-mail, he stated a licensed geologist from the Department of Natural Resources determined that slope movements related to cutting timber is not likely.
Goldmark also wrote the DNR realizes how visible harvesting the timber will be from Meyers Road and 401, but regulations do not directly address view sheds and aesthetics. He said the permits are in compliance with department regulations.
McDonald said a bulk of the forest permits are used for harvesting timber and road construction.
He said, under the permits, for each acre harvested, three wildlife retention and two green retention trees must be planted.
McDonald said once the timber is harvested, the landowners have two years to plant trees on the land. The permits are for two years and can be renewed every two years.
The South Puget Sound Region consists of Mason, Kitsap, King and Pierce counties.
Reach Dannie Oliveaux at doliveaux@courierherald.com or 360-802-8209.
