WFHB Bloomington Community Radio
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This is the WFHB Local News for Tuesday, November 22nd, 2022.
Later in the program, an update on the Owen-Putnam State Forest timber sale and future forest management from WFHB correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Rowan Hesting. More in today’s feature report.
OWEN-PUTNAM STATE FOREST UPDATE
Up next, an update on the Owen-Putnam State Forest timber sale and future forest management from WFHB correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Rowan Hesting, interviewed the Chairperson of Owen-Putnam Friends of the Forest and Board Member of the Indiana Forest Alliance, Lora Kemp to follow up on the timber sale.
But first, we will share the original coverage concerning the Owen-Putnam which aired on July 28th.
Now back to the Owen-Putnam follow up where WFHB News Correspondents Noelle Herhusky-Schneider and Rowan Hesting talk with Lora Kemp about the High Conservation Value Forest Proposal for the Owen-Putnam State Forest.
Kemp explained that the timber sale went through, and that they were not able to stop the sale of the trees in tract – 4 of the Owen-Putnam State Forest. According to Kemp the sale was posted by the Division of Forestry on July 12th of 2022 and closed on August 9th.
Members of the Owen-Putnam Friends of the Forest, Jeff Marks, Kurt Kemp, and Lora Kemp fought against the timber sale saying it would harm the ecosystem there, the water quality, cultural landmarks, and harm the wildlife which she said includes endangered species.
Due to their concerns for the land, they reached out to the public about the timber sale, and collected signatures on their petition in opposition to the sale.
The timber sale still went through. However, the Friends of the Forest wanted to ensure that future management would take more precautions, and so they talked to DNR Deputy Director Chris Smith who went to the Owen-Putnam to walk through the forest with them. After this meeting, the Owen Putnam Friends of the Forest submitted a proposal to the DNR to establish the land in and around the Owen-Putnam, which the DNR labeled the Jackson Creek Area, into a High Conservation Value Forest. Which according to the DNR would: designate the land as a forest area that receives added consideration of management activities to maintain or enhance conservation value attributes. These attributes may be of biological, ecological, or cultural significance.
Kemp explained why this proposal should be approved and why there needs to be another environmental assessment in the area.
The proposal was posted by the DNR on October 25th and is open to receive public comment on why the area is or is not worth being considered as a High Conservation Value Forest.
The last day for individuals to submit a public comment on the forest conservation area is tomorrow – November 23rd. A link to the petition can be found here.
Credits:
You’ve been listening to the WFHB Local News,
Today’s headlines were written by Noelle Herhusky-Schneider, in partnership with Cats – Community Access Television Services.
Our feature was produced by Noelle Herhusky Schneider and Rowan Hesting.
Our theme music is provided by Mark Bingham and the Social Climbers.
Engineer and Executive producer is Kade Young.
