DNR Slashes Public Comment On New Plan
INDIANAPOLIS — The Division of Forestry within the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has released a proposed new strategic plan for our state forests, “IDNR Division of Forestry Strategic Direction 2015-2019” that will continue logging an average of 14 million board feet of trees every year from our state forests, at least four times more board feet per year than was logged from the state forests prior to 2005.
In addition, this plan:
- calls for more clear-cutting.
- proposes possible selling of state forest tracts deemed, “non-essential.”
- instead of designating any areas off limits to logging for hiking, back packing and back-country camping, proposes more developed recreation facilities with new buildings, roads, cabins and shooting range.
- proposes gate passes and user fees across the state forests to pay for this recreational infrastructure.
The DOF is holding just the three following public meetings to gather input on this new plan:
- From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Monday, Sept. 21 at the Indiana State Museum, 3rd floor Museum Conference Room, 650 W. Washington St., Indianapolis.
- From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 22 at the Honeywell Center, Nixon Room, 275 W. Market St., Wabash.
- From 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 23, at Cool Springs Education Center, 9412 E. SR 64, Velpen.
In contradiction with their own Procedures Manual, Appendix I-J-1, which directs the DOF to solicit public input far in advance of adopting a strategic plan, the DOF held no scoping meetings to develop this plan, nor will there be any public comment period as has occurred for previous strategic plans.
“IFA and six other organizations have asked the DNR to hold a 60-day public comment period on this Plan and more meetings in communities reeling from the adverse effects of this logging instead of making those folks drive hours through rush hour traffic and highway construction projects to be given a few minutes to present their concerns at these meetings,” states Jeff Stant, executive director of the Indiana Forest Alliance.
“There is no impending regulatory deadline to produce this Plan even though it has been two years since the previous strategic plan expired. After taking this long, if the DNR is genuinely interested in what Hoosiers have to say about the management of their state forests, it should adhere to its own guidelines to solicit public input on this plan.”
To learn about the proposed 2015-2019 strategic plan, go to the website.