Dear Editor:
I was quite unhappy to read the one-sided article on logging practices written in the Spencer Evening World on March 28, 2017.
It was blatantly pro-logging. Although I do love our forest, I do not consider myself a “treehugger.” I am fully aware that the responsible logging of trees is necessary, but many of us believe that there are other ways to collect revenue so as to reduce the amount of timber that needs to be cut. We have offered solutions, which to this point, have gone unanswered or ignored.
I am writing from the perspective of a trail rider, a hiker, and a mushroom hunter, but because of timbering, there are deep ruts along the trails which fill with water each time it rains.
Large rocks are put on trails to transfer the logging equipment and are extremely dangerous not only to horse’s hooves, but also to runners. Forest Resource specialist, Rob Duncan, is quoted as saying, “Once the harvest is done, they (logging companies) have to go back in and fill in any ruts, seed and straw areas that are prone to more erosion.” To my knowledge, this has not been done. Also, when large areas are timbered, the canopy disappears. This encourages the growth of invasive species such as multiflora roses and brambles, which in turn discourage hiking, mushrooming and riding.
I understand the need to raise money to pay for maintenance of our forests and parks. What I am asking for is that the DNR compromise and work with alternative money-raising suggestions in order to make our land use the best it can be.
Joan Staubach
Poland, Indiana
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Dear Editor,
I was stumped as to who really wrote “Timbering in Owen Putnam Underway” on 28 March, reporter Michael Stanley or Property Manager Bill Gallogly. It was an excellent account of the activities and oversight now required by the Division of Forestry.
Lacking however was any query about balance in the management of our only public lands which permit Hoosiers to roam and enjoy the bit of wild nature that is our heritage.
95% of Indiana’s forests are private property. Far less than 5% is available for hiking, camping off trail, mountain biking, hunting and more for 6.6 million Hoosiers.
Since the abolition of that infinitesimal mil tax in the Daniels Administration (so that the governor could crow about “cutting taxes”), the Division of Forestry began cutting personnel, programs, and 600% more trees per year. All to stay in business. The vast majority of personnel left in the DOF are foresters. This forest industry expertise is excellent in a private company, but as for stewardship of public lands, it would appear to be skewed to timber management. Property manager Gallogly’s statement, “There is such a demand for the product we have to move the product quicker,” is a statement I find remarkable for a very decent public employee like Bill Gallogly to be forced to make.
Is it really so necessary to sell timber to the Chinese that we can’t enjoy our own forests that the state legislature set aside for us 100 years ago?
Private landowners should be able to meet that demand and if DOF charged the fair market price for our state forest timber instead of losing money for us, perhaps we would not have to log so heavily. Under-utilized or unenforced income sources like camping fees, small annual or day hiker fees, and horse bridle and mountain bike tags exist. Or, if you don’t like paying fees, we should reinstate the miniscule mill tax which robustly supported a once-excellent Division of Forestry.
The scenery, the enjoyment, the family experience of nature to be found, that the DNR state forest brochures advertise, ought to be true.
The truth of usage would be as appealing as the DNR brochures that advertise our natural beauty, campgrounds and fishing.
Mary Bookwalter
Freedom, Indiana
