Reprieve for Old-Growth Forest in Kentucky

You'd think being part of a National Forest automatically protects all parts of that forest from commercial exploitation, but that's not how it works.

Bill Estep at the Herald:

Officials have canceled a proposal for commercial logging in the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rockcastle County that had caused concern about the potential impact on a pristine spring and trees hundreds of years old.

An official with the U.S. Forest Service confirmed the decision to the Herald-Leader and Kentucky Heartwood, a forest education and advocacy group which was against the plan.

The problem is that the U.S. Forest Service's primary official purpose is to "manage" America's forest "resources." If clear-cutting one of the last old-growth stands east of the Mississippi is more cost-effective than leaving it for future generations to enjoy and appreciate, then tough shit, you commie tree-lovers.

Scheff said he has documented trees more than 250 years old in the Little Egypt area. One, a shortleaf pine more than 300 years old, is the second-oldest known tree of its species in the Eastern United States, he said.

There also was particular concern that the logging and herbicide use could damage Climax Spring, one of the state's largest continuously flowing underground springs.

A local company bottles the high-quality water, and hundreds use the spring to get their drinking water.

Ah, that explains it.  Somebody is making money off this "natural resource" in its pristine condition.  Otherwise, that forest would already be sawdust.

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/09/16/2339746/daniel-boone-national-forest-logging.html#storylink=cpy

Read more here: http://www.kentucky.com/2012/09/16/2339746/daniel-boone-national-forest-logging.html#storylink=cpy

Politicizing Forests

The proper balance for government regulation is to have political appointees responsible to the elected executive advised by career employee scientists and other experts.

When career experts make policy decisions with no political input, you lose accountability for the elected executive.

And when political appointees make policy decisions with no expert scientific input, you get severe, even irreversible damage to irreplaceable natural resources.

Erik Loomis at Lawyers, Guns and Money:

The Obama Administration is producing a comprehensive planning document for national forest management. By and large, environmentalists are OK with it. Except for one major exception. One of the key environmental victories in protecting the northern spotted owl and thus the Northwest’ old-growth forests was a 1982 United States Forest Service regulation that forced the agency to focus on the distribution of species throughout the forests, meaning that you had an emphasis on species movement, genetic diversity, and protecting swaths of habitat throughout a national forest. The timber companies and Republicans hated this because it empowered the courts to order the end to most old-growth logging to protect the owl.

This regulation is severely watered-down in the new regulations. Specifically, it allows the manager of a national forest to make these decisions, allowing a bureaucrat massive discretion in deciding the future of a species. Under a Democratic president, it’s possible that these decisions will be made with the health of the species and forest as a whole in mind. Under a Republican, appointees will almost certainly eviscerate any attempt to protect wildlife.

The larger question is whether science or politics will govern our national forest land. Is it more important to ensure the proper distribution of a species or play politics? Unfortunately, and again despite an overall forest policy that is reasonably good, the Obama Administration has decided to open the door for future presidents to undermine wildlife protection.

Another way of putting it is that the timber industry and their Congressional flacks like Doc Hastings are very pleased. And that’s never a good sign.

….Here’s a good example from New Mexico about why allowing political appointees to create environmental management policy is a bad idea.

Don't Fuck Around With Fire in the Forest

Because it just sent a Kentucky firefighter to the hospital in serious condition with second-degree burns after a burning branch fell on him.

And let's make sure the moron who set a pile of trash on fire in the middle of a drought-caused burn ban goes to jail for a long, long time.

From the press release:

Forest Ranger Injured While Fighting Wildfire

Debris burning on construction site causes wildfire to spread

A wildland firefighter was injured Tuesday morning while working Scotts Chapel Road Fire—a 12-acre wildfire in Livingston County. Don Lam, Forest Ranger Technician for the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF), is currently in serious condition at Deaconess Hospital in Evansville after being airlifted following the accident. Preliminary investigations report that Lam was struck from a rolling log—a burning snag approximately 10 ft in length that broke loose and rolled off a bluff. The impact has left Lam unconscious and with serious injuries including second degree burns.

“Our employees face extreme risk when responding to wildfires such as this one,” said Leah MacSwords, director for the Kentucky Division of Forestry. “We are very concerned about Don’s condition and we will be investigating the incident and pursuing enforcement options in an effort to prevent future accidents from occurring. Our thoughts and prayers go out to Don and his family.”

The wildfire spread from a burning debris pile on a construction site owned by River Oaks Timberland Management. The site is currently being cleared for development by FCE Construction and Excavation. The burn pile, compounded with hot, dry and windy conditions resulted in an escaped wildfire burning approximately 12 acres of adjacent woods. The wildfire continues to burn today as forestry officials consider further actions to take in order to contain the fire.

Livingston County has had a burn ban in effect intermittently since Aug. 9 and is currently experiencing Level 1 drought conditions. It is not certain at this time whether the burn ban was in effect when the wildfire began. In light of a possible burn ban violation and letting the fire escape, forestry officials will pursue enforcement action against the responsible party and seek suppression costs for containing the fire.

Although fall forest fire season officially begins Oct. 1, forestry officials would like to remind citizens that recent drought conditions should not be underestimated and that the potential for wildfire can occur any time of year. Officials recommend citizens to be aware of all outdoor burning laws, to take extreme caution while burning woody debris and to avoid burning on hot, dry, windy days.

It hasn't rained in Livingston County in weeks. It's been miserably hot with unusually low humidity. Hot and dry. Dry and hot. Hey, let's start a fire!

That level of stupid is impervious to correction. Lock 'em up, throw away the key.

Ten Days Left to Comment on Kentucky's Forest Strategy

Horrified and disgusted at the way Kentucky's forests are disappearing to development and lack of sustainable management?

The Kentucky Division of Forestry wants to hear from you:

Approximately 47 percent of our state is covered in trees, and they provide a wide variety of benefits to Kentucky's citizens. For us to continue to enjoy these benefits and explore new opportunities, state and federal agencies must address the critical issues affecting this resource, the priority areas linking our forests and other natural resources, and the strategies for improving sustainability.

These concerns are currently being addressed in a comprehensive report entitled Kentucky’s Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources and Strategy. The report, which is still under development and review by an assessment team led by the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF), will be published in June following a third and final public review period scheduled through May 10. During this time, the public is encouraged to provide comments and suggestions regarding the long-term strategy that has been developed for addressing critical issues and priority areas.

“As part of the assessment process, we have developed this strategy with goals and tactics to address forest-related issues in our state,” said Leah MacSwords, KDF director and state forester. “We hope our citizens will take the opportunity to view and comment on the proposed strategy in an effort to help determine how to focus the division’s efforts during current economic challenges.”

A current draft of the strategy can be viewed online at www.forestry.ky.gov and written comments regarding the strategy will be accepted through May 10, 2010. The finalized assessment and strategy will serve as a basis for planning and funding. For more information about Kentucky’s Statewide Assessment of Forest Resources, please visit KDF’s Web site at www.forestry.ky.gov or call 800-866-0555.

May 10 is the deadline - that's a week from Monday. Don't miss it.

Wet or Dry, It's Still Forest Fire Season.

Despite the wettest summer I can remember and a solid week of rain just past, because it's October, it's Forest Fire Season in Kentucky.

During the season, which officially begins Oct. 1 and ends Dec. 15, it is illegal to burn anything within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland between the daylight hours of 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. The law is intended to prevent forest fires by placing restrictions on outdoor burning during a time of year when the potential for dry conditions and the accumulation of leaf litter increases the risks of wildfire. According to forestry officials, there are additional concerns for the upcoming fire season because of the greatly increased hazards due to the winter ice storm.

“Kentucky’s forests have weathered several serious storms this year that have resulted in a significant increase in dead and fallen trees,” said Leah MacSwords, director of the Division of Forestry. “The added fuel loads create conditions that are of particular concern to fire suppression efforts including increased fire intensity and difficulty in containment. Our foremost concerns naturally include the safety of our firefighters and communities.”

This year, there have been four wildfire-related fatalities in Kentucky. Three of the fatalities resulted from escaped debris fires and the fourth fatality resulted from a wildfire of unknown origin. In addition to the danger of being in the direct path of a wildfire, there are other risks to firefighters and people living in fire-prone areas. These risks include respiratory problems from the choking smoke, poor visibility on roadways and increased traffic hazards.

To reduce the risks of wildfire, forestry officials recommend that citizens be aware of fire hazard seasons, outdoor burning laws, campfire safety and safety precautions to take while burning woody debris. The following guidelines provided by the Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) summarize the specifics of forest fire season:

• Fire hazard seasons occur in the fall from Oct. 1 to Dec. 15 and in the spring from Feb. 15 to April 30. During these times, outdoor burning is illegal from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. in or within 150 feet of any woodland or brushland.
• KDF is the state agency responsible for suppressing wildfires and enforcing fire hazard seasons, however, additional outdoor burning laws and restrictions may apply. Therefore, citizens should also contact the Kentucky Division for Air Quality for air pollution regulations and the local judge-executive’s office for possible county burn bans. To report a wildfire, contact the KDF office nearest to your location.
• Safety precautions should always be taken into consideration when burning woody debris or using campfires. Weather conditions are a contributing factor in the number and intensity of wildfires, therefore outdoor burning should only occur when the wind is calm and humidity is high. Other precautions include keeping brush piles and campfires small and contained, keeping a supply of water and a shovel accessible, and staying with the fire until it is completely extinguished.
  

Forest arson is the primary cause of wildfire in Kentucky. Forest arson is a felony under state law (KRS 149.380) and is punishable by up to five years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. Suspicious individuals should be reported to KDF, local law enforcement officers or the Kentucky State Police. Citizens may also call the Target Arson Hotline at 1-800-27-ARSON.

For more information about fire hazard seasons, outdoor burning laws and safe burning practices, contact the Kentucky Division of Forestry at 1-800-866-0555 or visit the division’s Web site.

Kentucky Forestry Survey

What do you think we should do with Kentucky's forests? The state Division of Forestry wants to know.

The Kentucky Division of Forestry (KDF) is encouraging citizens to complete an online survey to determine the trends and threats to Kentucky’s forest resources. The survey will complement a statewide forest resource assessment and action plan currently being developed by KDF to help guide the future of Kentucky’s forests.

“The survey will help us prioritize the issues facing rural and urban forests”, said Leah MacSwords, Division of Forestry director. “Natural resource agencies, governments, groups and citizens who share a concern for Kentucky’s forests will benefit from the assessment; therefore, participation from all of these groups is crucial in determining major forestry issues in Kentucky.”

The online survey will allow the public to provide different viewpoints regarding various forestry related issues and the importance of these issues. Some of the concerns already identified by KDF include the need for proper forest management, reduction of wildfires, and the prevention of destructive insects, diseases and invasive plant species.

Other forestry related issues for Kentuckians to consider include:
· the role of forests in sequestering carbon and reducing greenhouse gases;
· the potential for forests to improve our economy by diversifying Kentucky’s forest products industry;
· the possibility of using forests as an alternative and renewable source of energy;
· the need to prevent forest fragmentation and improve land-use planning;
· the importance of forests in providing social benefits such as outdoor recreation and aesthetics;
· and the necessity of forests in providing clean water, clean air, healthy soils and wildlife habitat.

To "participate in the survey and to provide your input regarding the economic and environmental importance of Kentucky’s forests," click here to take the survey.