RECOMMENDATIONS •
Repeal the provision of HB 153 that opened our state parks to commercial logging.
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Ban the practice of clearcutting on our state forests and promote late, not early, successional habitat. DOF currently is putting great emphasis on the need to create more early successional habitat, which is habitat that develops after clearcutting. This type of habitat also results from natural disturbances like ice storms. Due to intense logging, this habitat exists in abundance on eastern forests, while forests that are more than 200 years old register as 0%.
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Create more wilderness areas and High Conservation Value Forest (HCVF) zones that are off-limit to commercial logging. Currently, the vast majority of our state forest system is slated for logging over the next several decades. The legislature should designate at least one-third of all state forest land as wilderness or HCVF that is free from commercial logging.
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Our state forests are legally governed by the principle of multiple-use; i.e., in addition to logging, DOF must focus on priorities such as wildlife, habitat, and recreation. Current multiple-use management is heavily weighted towards the logging side of the equation. Setting aside no-cut areas will allow portions of our forests to grow old once more, and will help restore the balance missing from state forest management.
For More Information
Briefing Book 2012
Cheryl Johncox Buckeye Forest Council 1200 W. Fifth Ave., Suite 103 Columbus, OH 43212 (614) 487-9290 Cheryl@buckeyeforestcouncil.org www.buckeyeforestcouncil.org
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