[californiadisasters] Not Enough Trees to Replant 1/2 of Failed Seedlings in Angeles NF

Although nearly half of the seedlings planted did not survive, reforestation efforts will have to resume next season due to a lack of resources

By Patrick Healy and Yvonne Beltzer

|  Tuesday, Apr 10, 2012  |  Updated 6:13 AM PDT

Nearly half of the seedlings planted last year after the 2009 Station Fire devastated a quarter of the Angeles National Forest did not survive, according to a new report.

The blaze scorched more than 165,000 acres and while the chaparral, grass and sage have come back quickly, the pines and furs need more help.

Hundreds of thousands of seedlings were planted in 2011 to try to jump start that portion of the forest. At the time, experts said a significant portion would not survive.

Another round of reforestation efforts are needed, but a lack of resources are forcing them to skip this season.

"There weren't enough trees to replant this project. So the trees are on order and it'll be replanted next year,"  said Vance Russell with National Forest Foundation, an organization involved in the reforestation.

Officials at the project's main supporter, the South Coast Air Quality Management District, called the low survival rate a set back, but said there's still $900,000 leftover fom the $1.5 million Chevron agreed to provide.

"The forest service has committed to us that they are going to make sure that the adequate number of trees are planted and survive," said Barry Wallerstein, executive officer of South Coast Air Quality Management District.

While there is no clear estimate as to just how many seedlings died, dry weather and damage to watershed added to the problem.

The LA Times broke the story on April 7. Still, days later, pinning down the exact scope of this problem has proven difficult.

NBC 4 contacted the Angeles Forest to get specific seedling survival numbers, and requested to review the final numbers. Those request have not been filled.

Source: http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Angeles-Forest-Station-Fire-Reforestation-Plan-146748555.html

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