OFFICIALS have moved to reassure Islanders that burning debris in woodland areas will make the sites “more resilient to future storm events” following outrage from parishioners.
Thousands of trees were felled across Jersey when the hurricane-strength winds of Storm Ciarán made landfall in November.
Since then, the government’s Infrastructure and Environment departments have embarked on an extensive clean-up operation.
However, their efforts in the woods at Noirmont, which involved burning large amounts of the storm debris, caught the eye of Islanders who took to social media.
Lynda Firkins wrote: “I’m disgusted. They could have left some of the fallen ones for nature. It’s good for insects and smaller animals but not stripped bare. Our Environment Department at work.”
Replying to her comment, another person wrote: “I wish that some of the people involved give some decent answers to the so many people’s questions in the past month.”
Others also said the “devastation” was “very upsetting” and that they hoped replanting would take place.
The Infrastructure and Environment departments released a statement in response to these concerns, saying: “The current restoration work at Noirmont will provide better conditions for wildlife and the woods will reopen for public access in a few weeks.
“Most of the previous fir trees fell or were damaged in the storm. Some have been left on the ground with their branches intact and some have had their branches removed and made into habitat piles.”
The statement continued: “Only smaller branches are being burnt on site and the whole restoration process will add to the value for wildlife and make the woods more resilient to future storm events.
“This will mean more public access in the future.”
Islanders also raised concerns about debris and logs left at the side of the Railway Walk.
A statement from the government’s Parks, Gardens and Cleaning Services, which manages the popular path, said: “Timber that has been difficult to remove has been left in place, as proper woodland management involves leaving up to 15% of fallen timber within the woods. This is then consumed by insect and fungi which maintains a healthy balance as nature intended.
“Where the use of heavy machinery would do more damage than good, we have instructed the contractor to leave the wood alone. We ask members of the public to do the same and help us in our woodland management role.”
Plans remain up in the air for a tree replanting programme, but the JEP reported in December that officers in the Natural Environment department were co-ordinating on a potential solution with groups such as Jersey Trees for Life, the National Trust for Jersey and farming organisation presidents.
