Research on a watershed east of Sutherlin has revealed some interesting information already to researchers from Oregon State University.

The Hinkle Creek Research project includes about 5,000 acres of Roseburg Forest Products land, that has been turned into an outdoor research lab, that tracks the movement of cutthroat trout and determines how much shade and fallen trees they need to thrive. It compares the two areas that have similar characteristics, but have had different types of timber management.

Arne Skaugset, a forestry professor from O.S.U. says the impact of the harvest of trees, is within the range of natural variability. "I mean this is natural variability, this is probably statistically significant, and if we're going to put the effect of logging on top of this with regard to how fish are surviving, we have to be able to quantify it, in some way. So it does make the problem more difficult."

They are now more than halfway through the 10-year project. More than 10 federal and state agencies, non-profit organizations and private companies contributed $750,000 in cash and support for the project.

While the project is going on, schools can also visit the site for educational field trips.

Skaugset spoke to the Douglas Timber Operators Thursday morning in Roseburg.