The current Fairbanks North Star Borough timber sales are located at mile 310 Richardson Highway between Harding and Birch Lakes. Logging operation in this area are winter only access. Winter access areas create just enough disturbance to the soil to encourage seed germination and regeneration but not so much disturbance so as to create soil instability and erosion. The mile 310 Richardson Highway timber sale offers all merchantable white spruce timber inside the unit boundaries. Merchantable is defined as at least 9" in diameter measured 4' from the ground only. Smaller white spruce are left undamaged to provide a seed crop for regeneration. While birch does have economic value, the birch in this area are over mature. The operators are encouraged to leave the birch standing and undamaged so they can be of value to wildlife and provide nutrients to the soil through the decomposition of leaves and branches.
The Department of Land Management is very pleased to present this series of photos depicting the current operations on this this area of Borough property. These activities are bringing income to the Land Enterprise Fund, they infuse the local economy with a valuable natural resource, foster growth in the local timber industry and will help to support a busy construction season.