Forester urges countywide damage assessment and grant seeking after windstorms

Jennifer Nelson, a county forester who addressed the Lincoln County Board of County Commissioners during the public‑comment period March 25, described widespread blowdown from December and March windstorms and urged the county to act to avoid elevated fire risk and infestations.

"The county is struggling on how to handle the debris from these events," Nelson said, telling commissioners the county does not have sufficient storage, processing or disposal capacity for the volume of downed trees. She recommended including a countywide damage assessment in the current emergency declaration and asked staff to look for grant opportunities that could support landowners and county equipment upgrades to handle the material.

A resident who spoke after Nelson, identified in the record as Jeff, said private options (moving merchantable timber to a firewood bank) and partnerships with a Eureka‑area firewood bank and port authority could help manage salvageable timber. Jeff said the county lacks centralized stockpile sites and urged exploring public–private options and temporary contractor engagements for grinding and processing the wood.

Commissioners acknowledged the problem and discussed coordination with the landfill director, the Forest Service and the state DNRC. No formal decision was made; staff said they would tour sites with the health department and landfill to develop options and investigate grant possibilities.

Nelson's request was entered as public comment; the board did not adopt a formal new policy at the meeting but signaled willingness to pursue grant and partner options and requested staff follow‑up.