Clark County Public Works, Parks and Lands division is beginning a forest health thinning project at Spud Mountain, a Legacy Lands property. Spud Mountain is located north of Washougal and east of Hockinson. Thinning operations are expected to begin in 2024. 

The Clark County Forest Stewardship Plan calls for selective thinning to create healthy forest ecosystems on county-owned forest lands. At the Spud Mountain property, approximately 30% of the forest canopy will be thinned. The county will auction the forest thinning project and its timber. The modest income generated will be used to support maintenance activities across the county's Legacy Lands program. 

Staff, including the county forester, recently began preparing for the thinning project by surveying the property, preparing permit applications and collaborating with area road managers. A letter was sent to nearby residents to notify them about the upcoming project and the preparations now underway. 

Parks and Lands anticipates that the forest thinning project and timber will be auctioned this coming winter, with thinning operations beginning as soon as spring 2024. Thinning operations will be complete by the end of 2024. The project and timber can be auctioned if the Clark County Council designates the timber as surplus to the county's needs. In the coming months, staff will present the project to council and ask them to make this declaration.

Clark County has used sustainable forestry practices, including thinning, at several county properties since 2011, including Camp Bonneville, Green Mountain and Camp Hope. 

The Legacy Lands program acquires and manages property throughout the county to protect lands highly valued for habitat, scenic corridors, low-impact recreation and other qualities that enhance our local environment. 

Information about the county's sustainable forestry program can be found at clark.wa.gov/public-works/sustainable-forestry-program. 

CONTACT
Kaley McLachlan-Burton, communications manager
360.946.7584
kaley.mclachlan-burton@clark.wa.gov