Client: USACE Alaska
Location: Wake Island Atoll
Scope of Work:
- Vegetation removal
Brice completed the removal of an invasive species known as Ironwood trees from various areas of concern on the remote Wake Island Airfield. Removing the trees was necessary to improve habitat for native species and reduce safety concerns in areas adjacent to the active runway on this U.S. Air Force installation. An environmental assessment determined that the best method would be non-intrusive to minimize impact to this National Historic Landmark and Pacific Remote Island Marine National Monument.
The project focused on an area just over acres in size, located adjacent to the runway. Brice used chainsaws to cut down the trees; an excavator for further felling and stacking; and a chipper to chop up the wood for stockpiling. The work was performed without impact to migratory birds, and after ensuring the areas for removal were free of any UXO left behind on this former World War II battlefield.
It’s said that the species is referred to as Ironwood because its trunk is extremely dense making it difficult to cut down. While performing tree removal, Brice experienced continuous chipper and equipment issues while removing and processing this extremely dense and resilient tree species. On multiple occasions, small repair parts were sent on the rotator flights from our headquarters in Anchorage, Alaska to Wake Island to successfully finish the project.
