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November 19, 2020 <br />Mark R. Cook, Director <br />Kittitas County Department of Public Works <br />411 North Ruby Street, Suite 1 <br />Ellensburg, WA 98926 <br />Dear Mr. Cook: <br />AFRC is a regional trade association whose purpose is to advocate for sustained yield timber <br />harvests on public timberlands throughout the West to enhance forest health and resistance to <br />fire, insects, and disease. We and our members do this by promoting active management to <br />attain productive public forests, protect adjoining private forests, and assure community stability. <br />We have been following the Forest Service's Swank Pine Project located in the Liberty area of <br />Kittitas County since it was first analyzed for restoration work back in 2010. During those 10 <br />years of analysis, the forests located above the town of Liberty have suffered greatly from insect <br />and disease infestations and accumulation of forest fuels. Creating a high risk of catastrophic <br />wildfire. To remedy this situation the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest has planned a timber <br />sale in that area, which will require an adequate infrastructure of roads and bridges for access. <br />Unfortunately, that project is now on indefinite hold as the deficient bridge located below the <br />community of Liberty cannot support timber sale vehicle loads. The condition of the bridge is <br />one significant factor in the economic viability of this vegetation management proposal. <br />AFRC supports Kittitas County in its application for grant funding to replace this bridge. And we <br />look forward to the County moving forward quickly with replacing the deficient bridge. This will <br />enable the Forest Service to make needed forest health treatments and to reduce potential <br />wildfire risks by implementing the timber sale. The new bridge will also allow access for fire and <br />life -safety response vehicles, as well as access for dispersed recreation including camping, <br />mining, hiking, hunting, four-wheel driving, horseback riding, and snowmobiling. Assuring the <br />replacement of his bridge in a timely manner will benefit a variety of stakeholders on this portion <br />of the Okanogan Wenatchee National Forest. <br />Thank you for your consideration, and we hope this bridge replacement can move forward <br />quickly. <br />Sincerely, <br />Matt Comisky <br />Washington Manager <br />American Forest Resource Council <br />American Forest Resource Council <br />924 Capitol Way South, Suite 102 • Olympia, Washington 98501 <br />Tel. 360.352.3910 9 Fax 360.352.3917 <br />