The CMF HOA Board has recently initiated contact with professional organizations regarding Forestry Management practices given the challenges from natural and man-made disasters whether unintentional/accidental or from careless behavior.
The discussions thus far have not covered all risks but have provided insight into the dynamics of our CMF physical attributes.
From the discussions thus far, and direct input from EcoForesters, a private firm with substantial ongoing work with Federal, State and Local agencies around Forestry management practices, the Board feels it is important to share these guidelines with the lot and homeowners.
- The CMF guidelines and infrastructure for water resources on-site as a wildfire protection capability are on target as a “Better Practice” for mountain communities.
- The CMF guidelines (posted on the CMF HOA website) covering restrictions on open fires is likewise sound guidance in dry or wet seasons.
- NEW: Homeowners should not have trees no closer than 30 feet from their home structure.
- NEW: Homeowners with a steep slope in back of their home (or actually, any side of the building) are advised to have no trees on the slope within 100 feet from the house.
- NEW: EcoForesters provided the CMF HOA Board with several maps (Terrain, Topology/slope, Tree Canopy, etc.) that the Architecture Review Committee process will share with owners when submitting their building plans.
The CMF HOA Board discussed the condition of underbrush and other fallen or cut trees and the potential options if the CMF HOA Board would consider initiating project level activities for underbrush risk mitigation including removal.
Another outcome from the conversation was focused on building the awareness as to what impact invasive has on the natural vegetation and forest health overall in addition to potential heightened fire risks. We do need more research on this aspect of forest health.
The first step in this process is to engage with the State of North Carolina FIREWISE Program. Learn more about this program here.
We also expect to ramp-up our communications with the Wilkes County Forestry management program and our McGrady Fire Department, both or which we do have positive relations.
Observational and Maps-Driven comments from the Senior Forestry Director of EcoForesters.
“In general, much of Chestnut Mt Farms is gentle in slope, by mountain standards. The ridges and knobs are flat topped. These are easier to develop, but also much more exposed, as you witnessed during Helene. However, some of the northeastern tip and western edge has very steep (red) slopes which are more prone to erosion and landslides in extreme events.”
“This property was largely undeveloped (all green forest) in the 1960’s with just two main roads coming in from the SE & east to the high point and old “jeep roads” coming in from both the south and north. Only the two highest points were cleared, possibly for high pasture. There were virtually no structures on the property.”
“This property had up to 8 different forest types on it 200+ years ago. This includes everything from moist production floodplains (Alluvial Forests) and Coves, to the driest, and fire adapted, Pine-Oak Heath on the ridge tops, with variations in Dry Oak forest just down slope of that. Overall, this is a very potentially diverse property which could support a wide range of trees, plants and, therefore, wildlife. Many of these forest types may have been significantly altered from their natural historic range of variation. There are also potentially large patches with mountain laurel (on dry sites) and rhododendron (on moister sites), both indicative of poorer, acidic soils.”
Additional Information Sources which are of direct impact to the CMF Community.
From the Wilkes Forestry Service their website contains some excellent information on wildfire prevention and best practices.
In further consultations planned, the CMF HOA Board will likely provide additional content for CMF HOA Owners. Here is a like to the Wilkes County Forestry Service Website.
https://www.ncagr.gov/divisions/nc-forest-service/prevent-wildfires
