Burn Area. The fire from the derailed cars affected adjacent vegetation (mature forested area south of the railroad tracks between the Mosier overpass and Rock Creek. Total area of the burn was approximately 1.3 acres. Fire damage is mostly confined to understory vegetation, apparently as a result of timely firefighting efforts. However, at least 6-8 mature Big Leaf Maple trees and two Xxxxxxx fir trees along Highway 30 were lost, as well as 16 other mature (100+ year old) conifers further to the south that had served as perching areas for bald eagles and osprey. There is virtually no understory vegetation remaining in this area, except at the edges, and that consists of mostly poison oak (Toxicodendron diversiloba). Probable lost vegetation, based on observation of adjacent areas, would include oceanspray (Holodiscus discolor), Oregon grape (Mahonia aquifolium), Oregon manroot (Marah oreganus), and poison oak, along with mature trees and saplings of bigleaf maple, Oregon white oak, ponderosa pine, and Xxxxxxx-fir. Any further loss related to the spill of additional trees will be noted and brought to the attention of UPRR. An inspection of the health of the deciduous trees in the burned area should occur in the spring of 2017 to determine which trees have survived the winter and which have become hazard trees. Hazard trees should be removed. Trees that are deemed as beneficial snags for wildlife habitat can remain. The mature trees that were lost in the fire and the ensuing soil excavation response previously formed a classic and lovely avenue of trees, a Mosier landmark, which welcomed Mosier residents and visitors as they entered Mosier on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Since this section of the Historic Columbia River Highway between Hood River and Mosier was reconnected in 2000 as a bike/pedestrian trail, most ATTACHMENT 1: MOSIER DERAILMENT RESTORATION PLAN of Mosier’s visitors now arrive on foot and by bike and represent the main foundation of economic support for the existing Mosier downtown businesses. The City of Xxxxxx has highlighted the importance of this entrance into town, and has expressed a desire to see to see the aesthetic of this entrance to Mosier along the Historic Columbia River Highway restored in some way, which may include using some of the Historic Columbia River Highway materials that are used to enhance this National Historic Landmark (stonework, etc). The City has also expressed concern that this important connection between the His...
