RICHMOND

Swan Island is still feeling the impact from October’s windstorm.

Cleanup efforts are an ongoing process on the river island that borders Richmond, home to an array of wildlife and a favorite spot for hiking, boating and camping.

A barge is set to continue transporting logging trucks across the Kennebec River for about the next month. It’s part of an effort to salvage trees brought down by the storm. Due to timing, crews were unable to start the process until the beginning of May.

“We couldn’t get anybody out there during the winter when the river is frozen,” said John Pratte, wildlife biologist for the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. “The other timing concern is all of the pine has to be brought to the mill before we start to see blue stain.”

He explained that pine is more likely to stain with a change in temperature and humidity, so crews must work fast to salvage the remaining wood on the island.

Adding to the time crunch is the tides, as the barge has to work around low tide when transporting the trucks. To counter that, Pratte said they have considered moving the dock to the other side of the island.

The state is taking the lead on the considerable cleanup effort. In total, nine patches of forest spanning the length of the island were heavily damaged.

The result: About 120 acres of forest impacted by the storm.

“It’s pretty significant,” said Pratte. “The landscape is going to look pretty different.”

During the first two weeks of the operation, salvage work was undertaken to prepare the timber for transport.

Next up, barges will be making daily trips to transport the salvaged wood — 10- 15 trucks are moving it off the island each day.

The damage has already delayed the opening of the island. Although the work is expected to last into late June, Pratte expects the island to be open to the public by Friday.

“That’s the plan,” he said. “Our contractors would probably like a little more time, but I think we can make it work with the cleanup.”

In addition to the Monday through Friday cleanup schedule, it’s possible the work could also take place on Saturdays.

While trucks are being transported to the public boat launch in Richmond, traffic is not expected to be impacted.

chris@timesrecord.com

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