November 3, 2001

For Immediate Release
Contact: Ryan Talbott, (814) 223-4996

ADP Announces Campaign for an 'Allegheny Wild!'

The Allegheny Defense Project (ADP) today announced their new 'Allegheny Wild!' campaign. "This campaign seeks to develop a proactive vision for the Allegheny, shifting management of the Allegheny National Forest from industrial extraction to ecological restoration", said Ryan Talbott, Forest Watch Coordinator for the ADP. The campaign will provide direction for Forest Plan revision, which the Forest Service expects to begin in 2003.

One goal of Allegheny Wild! will be the establishment of a Tionesta Wilderness Area. "If any area within the Allegheny National Forest is deserving of Wilderness designation, it is the Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas and surrounding forestlands," says Rachel Martin, Outreach Program Director for the ADP. "The upcoming revision process is an important first step towards the preservation of this unique ecosystem."

In 1973, the Tionesta Scenic and Research Natural Areas were registered as a National Natural Landmark due to their ecological significance. Unfortunately, oil and gas developments continue to fragment the scenic area and timber sales continue to fragment the land adjacent to both areas. The designation of a Tionesta Wilderness Area would protect this remnant forest for future generations.

This point is highlighted by the publication of a paper submitted by the ADP in the current issue of the Natural Areas Journal, a peer-reviewed scientific journal of the Natural Areas Association. In particular, the paper discusses the process of acquiring the wilderness designation, which would include the obliteration of several forest roads, the purchase of private lands on a willing-seller basis, and a cessation of oil and gas drilling.

The ADP is proposing a wilderness area of 20,000 to 30,000 acres, including the 4,100 acre old growth and surrounding buffer zone. The area will comprise much of the forestland between Routes 6, 66, and 948.

"Several sensitive and endangered species, particularly the Northern water shrew, yellow-bellied flycatcher, and Indiana bat, depend on the habitat these areas contain", says Jim Kleissler, ADP's Forest Watch Director. "This area represents approximately 1% of the Allegheny National Forest. It is important, both ecologically and culturally to preserve what little remains of our native forests."

Aside from seeking more Wilderness on the ANF, Allegheny Wild! will focus on issues related to enhancing low-impact recreation opportunities such as hiking and canoeing, the protection of habitat for rare, threatened, and endangered species, and an end to industrial extraction in the Allegheny National Forest.

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For more information on Allegheny Wild!, contact the Allegheny Defense Project at (814) 223-4996 or info@alleghenydefense.org.

Download the ADP's "A Proposal for Tionesta Wilderness Designation in the Allegheny National Forest, Pennsylvania, USA" as published in the Natural Areas Journal (PDF - 700 Kb)