.............................................................................................................

September 1, 2017

Jenny Burnett
WMNF Headquarters
71 White Mountain Drive
Campton, NH 03223

Dear Jenny,

The following document has additional information included for tree cutting needed for the airlift sites.
Previously we were under a mistaken impression that our helicopter could operate in a smaller airlift
zone. After further discussions with our pilot we found that the zone must be at least 150’ x 150’. This
will require more cutting in either site and the trees to be cut have been listed below. This inventory was
much more general than the previous inventory and includes a number of trees and species without
specifically counting each species of tree or diameter at breast height.

Sincerely,

James Wrigley
Huts Manager
Pinkham/Huts SUP Administrator

Main Headquarters: 5 Joy Street • Boston, MA 02108-1490 • 617-523-0636 • outdoors.org

Regional Headquarters: Pinkham Notch Visitor Center • 361 Route 16 • Gorham, NH 03581-0298 • 603 466-2721
Additional Offices: Bretton Woods, NH • Greenville, ME • Portland, ME • New York, NY • Bethlehem, PA
 Long Term Sites
Overview
AMC would like to develop a site along the Cog Base Road on Forest Service land that would serve as a
long term airlift site for Lakes of the Clouds Hut. This will likely include some initial site work and
ongoing maintenance which would be paid for and completed by the AMC. This would likely include
clearing of trees, stumps and brush as well as leveling of ground, work on road access and gate
installation.
Operations for a long term site would include a spring fly in early May and 2 fall flies in September to
October. Between early September and early October propane cylinders would be stored on site for
filling and returning to the hut. During a large project a container may be left at the site to contain trash
when flown out. The container will be delivered as close to the flight date as possible and removed once
it is full. Regular trash from airlifting would not be stored overnight at the site.

Option #1
Lat: 44.264163944185974
Long: -71.37534141290536

Description
A pitched location that is populated with early growth just off of the Base Road. The old paved road
passes through the area.

Required Work
Cutting would need to occur here as well as grading to create a landing zone for the helicopter. The site
would need to be tied into the base road as well. A gate would need to be installed.

Positive aspects
  This location is close to the hut creating the second least impact on recreationists.
 A paved road currently passes through the area allowing for easy access.
 There is a vegetative buffer between the site and the base road providing for privacy.
 The helicopter will not have to pass over the road to get to the hut

Negative aspects
 Tree cutting needs to take place.
 Grading needs to take place to create a landing and staging zone.
 The main road needs to be tied to the access road.

Ground Disturbance
It is likely that we would need to level the western side of the site. This total area would be
approximately 70’ x 20’ for a total of 1,400 ft2. We would not need any fill for this work. With this area
and the former road outlet we would not need to stump or grade any further area. We may need to level
an additional area depending on the pilots needs. Fill and grading would be necessary to tie the site to the
base road.

Tree Count

DBH Balsam Fir Y. Birch W. M. Ash R. Maple

Birch
3"-4" 2 1 7
4"-5" 1 2
5"-6" 1 1
6"-7" 1
~30 spruce, fir, w. birch, y. birch, cherry, m. ash

Detailed aerial photo of Option #1

 Looking from Base Rd. up old
roadbed. Opening visible as bright
spot in distance. Under canopy the old
roadbed has a skim layer of soil.

Looking from SW corner of proposed

opening. Old roadbed is approx. 40’
behind individual.
 Option #2
Lat: 44.265393248960024
Long: -71.3731527303492
Description
A generally flat and open area just off of the Base Road. The old paved road passes through the area.

Required Work
Selective cutting of trees would be required here. Some work would likely need to be undertaken to
create a connection between the current base road and the old road that would provide access to the cut.
A gate would need to be installed. There may be need for fill due to wet soils in the spring months
though it is uneccessary under current conditions.

Positive aspects
 This location is the closest to the hut creating the least impact on recreationist.
 A minimal amount of cutting would be necessary as there is a long open path already clear.
 A paved road currently passes through the area allowing for access.
 There is a vegetative buffer between the site and the base road providing for privacy.
 No grading or stumping would be necessary for use.

Negative aspects
 The main road likely needs to be tied to the access road.
 The helicopter will have to cross the road to reach the hut.

Ground Disturbance
The only ground disturbance necessary would be connecting access to the base road.

Tree Count
DBH Balsam Y. W. Pin R.
Fir Birch Birch Cherry Maple
3"-4" 15
4"-5"
5"-6"
6"-7" 1
~45 beech, w. birch, y. birch, r. maple, m. maple, spruce and fir.

Detailed aerial photo of Option #2

Western entrance

Existing meadow
 Option #3
Lat: 44.257433044886476
Long: -71.39452457177987
Description
This is a large cut that was completed in the last several years right along the base road.

Required Work
Little cutting would be required though serious stump removal would be necessary as well as significant
brush hogging. A gate would need to be installed.

Positive Aspects
 Little if any tree cutting will be necessary.
 A dirt road could be used for access that is already tied into the main road.
 The helicopter would not have to cross the road to reach the hut.

Negative Aspects
 Extensive stump removal would be necessary to create enough working room for operations.
 There is no vegetatvie barrier between the road and the site making it very public.
 There are power lines running along the road creating a safety hazard for the helicopter.
 This is the farthest site from the hut about 1 mile further than option #1 and #2.

Tree Count
This site requires no tree cutting.