Loggers are cutting down thousands of trees along Meander Reservoir. 

 

Recent work is happening the Findland Road neighborhood and in North Jackson.

It's all part of a "timber management system" through the Mahoning Valley Sanitation District. It's something the district said needs to happen in weather we've had recently when it's icy, so heavy equipment doesn't sink into the mud.

They're essentially "weeding" decaying trees, and letting new healthy trees grow for a more prosperous environment.  This is an effort to enhance the drinking-water purification system and save money.

The district said by cutting down decaying trees and stopping soil erosion, it retains topsoil and slows down water run-off. Better soil absorbs water and traps impurities to stop them from getting into the water system.

The Sanitation district said recent projects are bringing in over $800,000 by selling timber to contractors and said this keeps residents' water bills down in Youngstown, Niles, Lake Milton, McDonald, Howland, Liberty and others.

"I think cutting down trees can be a huge emotional issue for some folks," OSU Extension Program Director for Forestry, Kathy Smith said, "In this situation, where you're trying to filter out nutrients and pesticides and things and clean the water, you want trees that are functioning at their best. Just like all of us, trees age and start to decline."

Over a thousand trees have already been cut down with plans on the books to cut down down nearly 2,500 more.

Once the logging is done, the Sanitation District said they will restore all roads.