Program Introduction About the Program Forest Watershed Functions Portable Skidder Bridge Initiative AMP Program Heavy Cutting Law Assistance for AMP and Heavy Cutting Programs Water Links

Portable Skidder Bridge Loan and Education Program

This program is designed to (1) provide for technology transfer to loggers, landowners and sawmills and (2) to build capacity for producing portable bridges within Vermont’s forest industry. The program is administered by the Northern VT Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council. It was launched in 2008 with an initial geographic focus area of the northern Lake Champlain basin. It has now expanded to cover the entire Lake Champlain basin in Vermont. Loggers participating in this program are entitled to one free loan event. Loggers who enter into free loan agreements are provided an educational packet that illustrates guidelines to follow for installation, use and removal of the bridges while following the “Acceptable Management Practices for Maintaining Water Quality on Logging Jobs in Vermont” (AMP’s). 

Fourteen bridges are being staged in various quantities for loggers to pick up and return at the Burlington Electric Department chip yard facility in Swanton, Lamell Lumber in Essex and Canopy Timber Alternatives wood yard in East Middlebury. A project coordinator provides on-site technical assistance and instruction to loggers using the bridges.

To learn more or to participate in this program contact Northern Vermont RC&D at (802) 828-4595 or the Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation at (802) 241-3672.