Planning Board approves Wassaic timber harvesting along Old Rt. 22

AMENIA — Following a brief public hearing on Wednesday, Oct. 9, the Planning Board granted unanimous approval for an application for a timber harvest on 120 acres situated along Old Route 22 in Wassaic.

The property owned by Carlo and John Longobardo totals 201 acres. To be harvested from the site are hardwoods and softwoods in diameters ranging between eight and forty inches in diameter, as reported by Certified Forester Christopher Prentis. A total of 1,597 trees will be removed, averaging 13 trees per acre. A typical acre would hold 68 trees, Prentis noted.

In addition to removing saw-ready timber, the harvest will also remove poor quality growth such as disease-ridden hemlock, leaving behind healthy hemlock.

Following forest management practices for 45 years, the acreage was previously harvested in 2002, and once before. Best practices for forestry management will also be followed for this harvest, Prentis explained.

Work will be done over two winter seasons, 2024 and 2025 between November 1 and March 31 to minimize impact on any forest wildlife.

“This forest is managed,” said John Andrews, Engineer for the Planning Board, noting that the process is monitored by state officials. He said that the selective harvest will open the land to allow healthy growth and encourage new growth.

During the public hearing, resident George Bistransin said that he had no opposition to the harvest project being proposed. He emphasized the importance of encouraging old growth forests in the area.