DNR Division of Forestry Releases Environmental Assessment
Of State Forest Logging Program

Deadline for comments: July 15, 2008

The Indiana DNR Division of Forestry has released its
Environmental Assessment of the timber sale program on Indiana’s
State Forests. Entitled Increased Emphasis on Management and
Sustainability of Oak-Hickory Communities On the Indiana State
Forest System, the DoF proposes to increase logging an additional
2000 acres a year, to double the amount of clear cutting, and to
burn thousands of acres of forests.

The justification for this plan is that Oak-Hickory forests are
declining, and must be cut down to save them. They claim that
the increased logging will be beneficial for endangered and
threatened species, even though they do not have the scientific
studies to back up this claim.

This is happening even thought the vast majority of the
public in Indiana oppose the commercial logging of public lands.
Please take a moment to send a comment to the Indiana State Forester.

Send to: forestryinfo@dnr.in.gov

Points to make in your comments:

The Indiana State Forests were created for a multiple of uses, yet
the IDNR aims to manage the State Forests primarily to grow oak trees,
not for wildlife habitat or recreation. This violates the spirit of the law.

The IDNR should not be exempt from the Indiana Environmental Policy Act.

This action proposed in this Environmental Assessment should require an
Environmental Impact Statement.

Clearcutting and burning are not proven methods of regenerating
oak trees.

Burning forests is a dangerous technique that endangers public
health and wildlife.

The IDNR is not complying with the Indiana Endangered Species Act.

The IDNR is not adequately protecting habitat for the endangered
Indiana Bat.

The IDNR fails to consider the impact or management of invasive
species.

The value of ecosystem services like providing clean air and water
provides $221 million worth of services for the Indiana public
every year.

Public lands should be managed for the greatest good to the Indiana
public, not to maximize the profits of the timber industry.

It is more effective if you email or send in your own comments,
but if you don’t have the time,
please go to http://www.heartwood.org/action.html
to send in your comments.

The public has 60 days to comment on the document,
it is available here .
Anyone unable to access the document online may
request a copy from the State Forester,
402 W. Washington Room W296, Indianapolis 46204
or by calling 317-232-4105.
Review copies also are available at all
state forest property offices.


Email the IFA Director for more info.