New Clearcutting on Larch Mtn/Palmer

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JimWaigand
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Joined: October 1st, 2012, 8:16 am

New Clearcutting on Larch Mtn/Palmer

Post by JimWaigand » April 24th, 2013, 4:40 pm

I know several folks here have explored historic logging and railroading at Larch Mountain, Bridal Veil and Palmer areas. I was saddened recently to witness new clearcutting upstream from the New Palmer town site, down the gated road at MP 8.5 on Larch Mountain Road.

The road has been newly graveled and a clearcut is happening about 2 miles in, just up a tributary for Bridal Veil Creek, near the New Palmer town site. I was especially saddened because I'd just found some 19th & early 20th century artifacts there: cast iron woodstove parts, rails, pipes, cables, remnants of a dwelling. I went back to try recovering some of these things, but it's now all buried beneath fallen timber and debris. I'll share some before-and-after photos here.

I spoke with an NFS archeologist, who told me that this clearcutting is on private land, so there's no obligation to preserve anything. After they pull the logs out, I'm going to at least go back and look for the pieces of the woodstove.
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BrianEdwards
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Location: Oregon City, OR
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Re: New Clearcutting on Larch Mtn/Palmer

Post by BrianEdwards » April 24th, 2013, 4:45 pm

Oh boy.. It has begun. Hopefully Larch doesn't get logged to the extent it was back in the Palmer Mill days.
Clackamas River Waterfall Project - 95 Documented, 18 to go.

airoff
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Joined: March 15th, 2012, 8:35 am
Location: Portland, OR

Re: New Clearcutting on Larch Mtn/Palmer

Post by airoff » April 24th, 2013, 5:54 pm

I was a bit dismayed by this myself. Here's a not so great shot of live logging going on from the intersection of the 1520 Road and the user trail that leads to Foxglove Way.
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Chase
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Re: New Clearcutting on Larch Mtn/Palmer

Post by Chase » April 24th, 2013, 8:33 pm

I've contacted Representative Blumenauer as well as Senators Merkley and Wyden regarding this issue. You can also contact them if you care.

https://forms.house.gov/blumenauer/webf ... cribe.html
http://www.merkley.senate.gov/contact/
http://www.wyden.senate.gov/contact

Although this is occurring on private land, express your concerns regarding the historical artifacts in the area, as that is probably the only angle that can be taken if you want them to listen.

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