Logging Work Has Neighbors Worried About Erosion, Runoff In/Around: Indian Trail

A logging operation on private land in the Indian Trail neighborhood has some nearby homeowners and city officials concerned about erosion and potential runoff.

The area being logged is near the power lines that mark the city limits and is owned by Indian Trail Properties Inc. It is the site of a future single-family home development though a plat application has not yet been filed with the city.

The Department of Natural Resources issued the permit to log and its inspector, Paul Balfour, was at the site last week. City staff members Roger Flint, Don Carlson and Eldon Brown also spent some time walking the area with residents.

Despite the concerns, the logging operation is legal and trees were removed with the proper permit, according to Balfour, whose agency issues logging permission under the Forestry Practices Act.

The city is concerned about potential erosion problems that may affect other properties and may require measures to protect against runoff.

City Planner Don Carlson said every time there is a logging operation near populated neighborhoods it becomes controversial. This one is more so because the trees are being cut off a steep slope that leads to Five Mile Prairie.

“They have a right to cut trees. They don’t have a right to damage other people’s property,” said Carlson.

Four trees on property owned by Sarah and Butch Gray, 10408 N. Woodridge Dr., were apparently cut accidently. Sarah Gray has contacted the city about the issue but declined to discuss the episode with a reporter.

Roger Flint, the City Hall liaison to Indian Trail, said he has talked with developer Rod Plese, who owns the property along with several partners. Plese has agreed to any measures the city suggests to stop water from running off the slope and flooding other property, Flint said.

Among the measures that may be suggested are retention ditches, seeding or straw bales. It would be up to Eldon Brown or Irv Reed, city construction officials, to make the recommendations.

Plese could not be reached but issued a statement saying Gardner Logging of Chewelah is licensed and bonded and responsible for any damage to adjacent properties.

“We as neighbors regret any inconvenience or problems that this logging caused for anyone,” he said.