Apr. 2009 -- National Forests (including Hoosier National Forest) close caves and mines to allow scientists to study the spread of White Nose Syndrome in Indiana Bats.
From the Bloomington Herald-Times:
In response to the uncontrolled spread of white-nose syndrome affecting bat species, all caves and mines on the 14 national forests, including all caves in Indiana’s Hoosier National Forest, have been closed by the US Forest Service managers for one year. The closures will allow scientists time to study the white-nose fungus and learn more about its spread, a new release said Friday.
Nearly 500,000 bats have died as a result of the white-nose syndrome in the New England and Mid-Atlantic states, including almost 25,000 endangered Indiana bats. Scientists believe the fungus is spread bat-to-bat as they cluster in caves and mines. There is also evidence that it can be unknowingly transferred from one cave to another on footwear and gear of humans. There have been no reported human illnesses attributed to the fungus. Infected caves and mines may not show obvious signs of its evidence.
The Hoosier is home to several species of bats, including the federally endangered Indiana bat and gray bat. For more information, contact Steve Harriss at 812-275-5987 or e-mail scharriss@fs.fed.us.
Mar. 2009 -- The Spring Open Houses for the State Forests are under way. This is a great way to meet the foresters and managers that are responsible for our public lands. You can also comment on the forests and their management at the open house.
March 17, 2009 Owen-Putnam/Greene Sullivan State Forest -- at Owen-Putnam
April 7, 2009; 3-7pm Martin S.F.
April 9, 2009; 3-7 Morgan-Monroe/Yellowwood S.F. -- at Yellowwood
April 15, 2009; 3-7pm Harrison-Crawford S.F.
April 18, 2009; 11-2pm Jackson-Washington S.F. -- at Starve Hollow
April 22, 2009, 3-7pm Ferdinand S.F.
April 25, 2009, 10-3pm Clark S.F.
We will see you there!
Mar. 2009 -- Representative Phil Pflum, member of the House Natural Resources Committee and Chair of the House Agricultural Committtee joined as a co-author on the bill to protect the Backcountry Area.
Feb. 2009 -- Indiana Forest Alliance testified before the Indiana House Natural Resources Committee on February 11, 2009 in support of a bill, HB 1550, to permanently protect the Backcountry Area of Morgan-Monroe and Yellowwood State Forests from commercial activity (including logging). The bill was co-authored by Matt Pierce of Bloomington and Ralph Foley of Martinsville. Sending a strong message to the timber lobby and the status quo, the committee referred the bill to summer study.
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.
