Benton County will start a forestry management project at the County’s Bend in the River Regional Park near Rice on April 10th. The project involves thinning of selected pine tree stands on the park’s East side and in limited cases the complete removal of a few windbreaks. The forestry management project is a feature of the park master plan and is designed to improve the health of the remaining trees and gradually restore the park to its pre-farming natural state.
Tree removal by a commercial logger will occur under the supervision of a professional forester. Thinning will remove 20% to 30% of the trees in selected pine tree stands. Complete removal will occur where the pine tree species is nearing end of life.
During the project, the area of the Park on the East side of County Road 55 will be closed. Large tree removal equipment will be operating in this area, so the County asks that park users to please remain out of the Park’s East side during this closure. Motorists on County Road 55 should be aware of trucks entering the roadway from the East side.
Questions about the forestry management project can be directed to County Administrator Montgomery Headley at 320.968.5000.
To see the News Release, please click on the following link: News Release: Bend in the River Regional Park Forestry Management Project