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Working to preserve our rural heritage and quality of life in southern Indiana since 1985 |
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ACT QUICKLY TO PROTECT THE INDIANA STATE FORESTS!!! There is a new situation happening in our Indiana State Forests that necesitates quick action on our part. True to Governor Mitch Daniels' promise to increase logging on our state's public forests by 500%, a timber sale is being offered. The proposal is to "salvage" log an area in the Harrison-Crawford State Forest, on a bluff overlooking the Ohio River draining into the Blue River first. This sale includes an oak-hickory stand full of very large trees (some already on the ground, a very important component of a diverse forest ecosystem), and has not been touched in 40 years. That means that it is starting to resemble the characteristics of an old growth forest. It is also habitat for the federally endangered Indiana bat. Roughly 48% of the known population of all Indiana bats are known to hibernate in caves in southern Indiana. Roughly half, or 24% of known Indiana bats overwinter in three caves in Harrison-Crawford State Forest. Almost 5% of the total population hibernates in another cave immediately next to Harrison-Crawford State Forest. That means roughly 28% of the total known population of Indiana bats depend on the area in, and immediately around Harrison-Crawford State Forest. The State Forest, in collusion with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, has told us that it is not a "taking" of the federally endangered Indiana bat if they log the trees while the bats are away in their winter homes (caves). They migrate to trees during the warm months. The problem is, when they return in the spring, the trees upon which they depend for maternity colonies, will be gone. We have reason to believe this sale is not only environmentally destructive, but also illegal, and have started a legal complaint against Governor Daniels over this, and a lawsuit against the entire state forest logging plan in general. Please write a quick email or a quick phone call to the three people below. Mention these key issues: The Indiana bat, the steep slopes, the presence of caves, migratory songbirds and prime recreation habitat. Finally, state that these are public forests, shouldn't be sold for private gain, and politely demand a public hearing. Dwayne Sieg, Property Manager Harrison-Crawford State Forest Phone: 812.738-7694 Kyle Hupfer, Director Indiana Department of Natural Resources Department of Natural Resources 402 West Washington Street, Room 256 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Phone: 317.232.4020 John Seifert Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Forestry, Land Management Team 402 W. Washington Street, Room 256 Indianapolis, IN 46204 317.232.4116 cell 812.592.1221 additionally, please contact the Governor to voice your concerns: Governor Mitch Daniels Statehouse Indianapolis, Indiana 46204-2797 Phone: 317.232.4567 Protect Our Woods
PO Box 352 Paoli, Indiana 47454 |