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November 11, 2003

Martin Run Project

Folks,

The Forest Service will be holding a public tour this Saturday at 11 a.m. for the Martin Run Project.

Date: Saturday, November 11
Time: 11 am
Place: Sheffield Work Station (Route 6 just east of Sheffield)

The Martin Run Project Area contains the largest old-growth forest between the Adirondacks and the Smokeys. This is the Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas. The surrounding second-growth forest is maturing and beginning to develop the characteristics that, if left alone, will once again develop into old-growth habitat. The North Country National Scenic Trail, Twin Lakes Trail, and Tionesta Scenic Area Interpretive Trails are within the project area.

Much of this area would be protected through ADP's Allegheny Wild! proposal. Much of the Martin Run Project Area is in the proposed Tionesta Wilderness while the remainder is in the proposed old-growth corridor. With an area of such ecological value, one would think the Forest Service would want to protect this area, right?? Wrong!

Not only does the Martin Run Project call for over 3,000 acres of commercial logging, but a substantial amount of that in the form of clearcutting is planned directly adjacent to the Tionesta Scenic Area and surrounding lands. This is absolutely unacceptable and shows the Forest Service's total contempt for protecting this National Natural Landmark. The Forest Service actually seems intent on damaging the value of the Tionesta Old Growth as Forest Plan revision gets underway -- One can't help but wonder with this area being the core of the proposed Tionesta Wilderness if there is a concerted effort to destroy the Wilderness characteristics of this area in order to make it ineligible for Wilderness consideration.

The Martin Run Project consists of:

- 819 acres of "regeneration harvests" (shelterwoods and clearcuts)
- 613 acres of thinning (pre-commercial and intermediate)
- 316 acres of salvage removal cuts
- 313 acres of salvage intermediate thinning
- 903 acres of release cuts
- 1,220 acres of site prep
- 1,309 acres of reforestation and herbicide spraying
- 771 acres of fence construction and reconstruction
- 39 acres of mechanical scarification
- 18 acres of controlled burning
- 317 acres of supplemental planting
- 280 acres of logging to "enhance late successional forest conditions".

Total --- 3,244 acres of logging

Key talking points for the tour:

1) Why are we not visiting sites that represent the true nature of the project?
Apparently, the Forest Service is planning only 2 stops for this tour (must be the cold weather). One of these stops is to look at an area that is to be or currently is fenced. Not to downplay the effects of fencing but the Forest Service needs to divulge the full aspects of the nature of the proposal.

2) Why is the Forest Service proposing so much logging DIRECTLY ADJACENT TO THE TIONESTA SCENIC AREA?
According to the Martin Run project vegetation map, there is considerable acreage planned for shelterwood removal and thinning next to and in the vicinity of the Tionesta Scenic Area. This is absolutely unacceptable. The Forest Service is well aware of the issues regarding the protection of the Tionesta Old Growth. They are also well aware of the Allegheny Wild! proposal that calls for the designation of a Tionesta Wilderness.

3) Why is the Forest Service logging to enhance late-successional forests?
This is ridiculous.

4) Why does the Martin Run Project area contain many of the lands that would be protected as Wilderness under the ADP's Allegheny Wild! campaign?

If you need directions, please contact us at our office:
(814) 223-4996

Posted by Ryan at November 11, 2003 01:23 PM

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Posted by: jim k at November 11, 2003 01:28 PM

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