IFA & Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club Host Roadless Rule Forest Forum
On Saturday, April 4th at the Monroe County Public Library in Bloomington, the Indiana Forest Alliance partnered with the Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club for a Grassroots Forest Forum, Roadless Rule Town Hall. IFA, along with allies from across the country, is currently engaged in nationwide efforts to protect wilderness and roadless areas on public lands and is working to defeat the US Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) proposal to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. The 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule (commonly known as “The Roadless Rule”) was established to manage and protect over 58-million acres of “inventoried roadless areas” (IRAs) in the US National Forest System. The largest roadless area in Indiana is the Charles C. Deam Wilderness in the Hoosier National Forest in Brown County. Protecting our roadless areas on public lands is a vital step toward a better future for all citizens.
Over 40 people joined IFA, Upland’s Network, Winding Waters Group, and the Hoosier Chapter Sierra Club’s Conservation Committee at the Grassroots Forest Forum, Roadless Rule Town Hall. Speakers from across Indiana highlighted the Sierra Club’s outings program, as well as efforts to save the Hoosier National Forest and expand the Charles C. Deam Wilderness. The event included discussions on local Bloomington urban forest and canopy issues, Indiana’s State Forests, and highlighted why US Forest Service Roadless Areas are the most significant regions in need of protection.
Jason Flickner, the Executive Director of the Indiana Forest Alliance, spoke up for these irreplaceable wild forests, and in opposition to the reckless attempt to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule. Sherry Mitchell-Bruker, Friends of Lake Monroe talked about the Houston South Roadless Area, and the Houston South litigation victory shared with IFA. Board members Dave Seastrom, David Haberman, and Lora Kemp were in attendance as well as IFA staff and members. Forest Forum attendees then moved to the Cascade Inn for a Meet & Greet with IFA Executive Director, Jason Flickner, courtesy of Mark Stoops, former IFA Board member.
Rattlesnake Campground Gate Open
Following successful efforts to protect the forests surrounding Rattlesnake Campground in Owen-Putnam State Forest from logging, IFA along with Owen Putnam Friends, fought to have the Indiana Division of Forestry (DOF) install signage leading to the popular campground, hidden deep in the forests of Owen County. The DOF erected signs for Rattlesnake Campground, but also installed a closed and locked gate across the entry road to the campground, prohibiting public entry to the campsites and forest by vehicle. No longer could all Hoosiers and visitors access Rattlesnake Campground to enjoy the pond, picnic area, and the charm of this wild area in the Owen-Putnam State Forest.
Although the public could access Rattlesnake Campground on foot, by walking around the gate and traversing a massive ditch, visitors had to carry picnic, fishing, and camping gear upwards of ¾ of a mile into the established campground. The entry gate installation and closure made accessing Rattlesnake Campground difficult for people who could not physically manage the hike through rough terrain, deterring those who have been visiting this beloved campground for years or just discovering this special place on our public lands for the first time.
The area surrounding Rattlesnake Campground was the site of a bat survey conducted by IFA during an Ecoblitz several years ago. This area of Owen-Putnam State Forest contains dense populations of several Endangered Species Act, Threatened & Endangered species listed bats found in Indiana. IFA, along with Jeff Marks and Kurt Kemp, have dedicated much effort to get the bat surveys conducted as part of our Ecoblitzes accepted by the DOF. The area around Rattlesnake Campground has been identified as a High Conservation Value Forest by IFA, Jeff Marks, and Kurt and Lora Kemp, due to its ecological and historical values, and the fact endangered species like cerulean warblers, Indiana bats, tri-colored bats, and ostrich fern have been documented. The wilderness found in Owen-Putnam State Forest makes it a high priority destination for those wanting to get off the beaten path, and get back to nature.
During the Indiana Division of Forestry’s (DOF) Open House at Owen-Putnam State Forest in the Fall of 2025, IFA and our allies requested the gate at Rattlesnake Campground be re-opened, but DOF’s response was still “NO.” The logging company slated to conduct timber harvest operations near Rattlesnake Campground had a key to the gate, but the people did not. As an “improvement” the DOF filled in the ditch on one side of the Rattlesnake Campground gate so the public could walk around, but DOF maintained restricted access for visitors to drive into the campground. The DNR website stated, “After deer firearms season, Rattlesnake Campground will be closed to vehicles until April. The area will remain open to walk-in access. Parking is available before reaching the entrance gate.”
On March 18, the Rattlesnake Campgrounds gate was re-opened by DOF, and currently remains open, allowing all Hoosiers to once again enjoy driving into the deep woods to camp, picnic, enjoy nature, fish in the pond, and hike in Owen-Putnam State Forest. IFA remains dedicated to making sure the gate at Rattlesnake Campground remains open and accessible to all Hoosiers and visitors, not just the DOF’s contracted loggers. Now that the Rattlesnake Campground gate access is restored to motor vehicles, all Hoosiers can return to exploring this beautiful area tucked into the hills of Owen County. The wilderness contained in Owen-Putnam State Forest makes it a high priority destination for those wanting to get off the beaten path and get back to nature.