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Skalski leaves Williams Ranger District<br>

Susan Skalski will leave Arizona to handle legislative affairs between the Forest Service and Congress in the Pacific Northwest region.

That region includes Oregon and Washington.

Arriving in northern Arizona in February of 1999, Skalski was told she would be unable to grow tomatoes. An avid gardener, Skalski proved tomatoes could be grown here. She has enjoyed homegrown tomatoes every year at her Flagstaff home.

Skalski says she will miss the small town atmosphere of Williams.

“There is so much energy here,” she said.

During her time in Williams, several projects Skalski has led include the reduction of forest fuels around Parks and Williams, managing forest resources during the drought, moving to a new building at the Camp Clover Ranger Station, addressing the bark beetle infestation and several large fires.

The drought has been the most difficult issue that Skalski faced during her time in Williams.

“The drought severely impacted vegetation and grazing on the forest,” she said. “Closing the forest to the public was very difficult.”

The forest fuels reduction project, a success in the Parks area, has now moved to Williams. Since the implementation of the Rural Communities Fuels Management Partnership began in the fall of 2001, more than 100 acres of private property located in the Parks and Sherwood Forest Estates have been thinned. The cost of tree removal was economical to private landowners, costing only $100 to $250 per acre. Under the supervision of the Arizona State Land Department, the Winslow Prison fire crew did the cutting.

The City Project will include treatments on 15,500 acres of National Forest that surround Williams. The treatment area will include forest from south of Bill Williams Mountain to north of the city and from east of High School Hill in a westerly direction toward Signal Hill.

Many trees will be removed as a result of the bark beetle infestation that was encouraged by drought conditions, she said.

“When I came here four years ago, the forest was all green. Now it’s not,” she said.

Because of the partnership between the city of Williams and the Forest Service, Skalski believes the project will be a success.

“Williams is a great community with excellent community leaders,” she said.

The Pumpkin Fire that ignited in May of 2000 and the Trick Fire in August of 2002 are two events Skalski will never forget.

“The Pumpkin Fire consumed 15,000 acres in a place people love — Kendrick Mountain. We are still working to restore the area,” Skalski said.

The Camp Clover Ranger Station, completed in 1999 shortly after Skalski arrived, is the nicest ranger station she has seen in the country.

“We are very lucky to have such a great building. The building has facilitated us nicely and has helped us all work well together,” she said.

The renovation of Dogtown Lake Campground will be completed this summer. Skalski is anxious to return to the area as a guest to enjoy the improved campground.

“The public will be very pleased with the Dogtown Campground,” she said.

The leadership team on the Kaibab National Forest is one of the best she has worked with. The fire and fuels program and recreation programs are some of the best programs around, said Skalski.

Working under the late Connie Frisch, former supervisor of the Kaibab National Forest, was a memorable opportunity, she said.

“I honor Connie Frisch. She hired me. She was a very inspirational leader to work for,” Skalski said.

Many other people will be missed when she leaves the area, Skalski said.

“Without Carol Glassburn, the community would fall apart,” she said.

Skalski’s 23-year-long career was sparked by a job she landed when she was 17. She was selected to work on a Youth Conservation Camp team located on the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The residential camp was 600 miles away from her home. She believes the job cemented her in forestry.

“I had an early love of the outdoors and people,” Skalski said.

Kaibab National Forest Supervisor Mike Williams will select a temporary replacement for Skalski while her position is formally advertised. The process will take between three and six months, she said.

“This is a desirable location. It is so pretty here,” Skalski said.


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