MOUNTAIN VIEW COUNTY - A logging project in Water Valley is in the works, with Mountain View Count ycouncil instructing administration to select a proponent for the project.
The move came by way of motion at the recent regularly scheduled council meeting, held in person and online.
The county-owned property involved is located at W 1/2 27-29-5 just west of Water Valley on Highway 587. The project will see 85 per cent of merchantable timber harvested from the site.
The county could realize about $350,000 in revenue from the project. The plan would be to log 85 per cent of the marketable timber on the property.
Division 2 Coun. Greg Harris, whose division includes Water Valley, said removing the timber will help alleviate concerns about wildfires.
“In the estates immediately east of the property – I know almost all of the people in there – and there is nothing that terrifies them more than fire, particularly after this summer with three fires (in the district). I have not found opposition in Water Valley to logging and making that area safer,” said Harris.
“Safety is the first, second and third concern for residents there. I haven’t heard any opposition (to logging the property).”
Council received one letter of concern regarding the project, with the writer say, in part, “I believe these areas in MVC require protection, not exploitation. How do you attach a dollar value to priceless ecosystems? The mental health benefits of natural areas for humans cannot be underestimated.”
The county did not receive any other correspondence for or against the project.
The logging is expected to start in November and be completed early in 2025, council heard.
It would be up to council to decided where to allocate the revenue, said chief administrative officer Jeff Holmes.
Administration will need to apply for a development permit for the project, council heard.
