Column: Delay Robinson forest logging study and conserve remaining wilderness
Robert Kahne
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: Opinions
- Page 1 of 2 next >
I hope everyone has been able to follow the Robinson Forest controversy. This issue is one of extreme importance to us as UK students, because this forest has been entrusted to us as part of this university, and the responsibility to ensure that it is properly taken care of belongs at least partially to us.
If you haven't been paying close attention, allow me to write briefly about what is going on. UK's forestry department has decided to push ahead with a plan to cut down 800 acres of Robinson Forest in order to determine the best way to cut down trees that are close to streams. In the department's words, it wants to "clarify the timber harvesting practices needed to avoid negative environmental impacts and assist Kentucky forest owners and manager in protecting water quality in rugged terrain."
Proponents of this plan claim that the "best management practices" for streamside logging have not been properly established and say that the research done at the forest is necessary. Also, the proponents of this plan say the byproduct of increasing the funds for the Robinson Scholars program is another plus of the logging plan.
At a public forum Sept. 25, the dean of the College of Agriculture, which houses the forestry department, explained this plan in detail and said he was surprised there was opposition to this plan at all.
However, there was quite a bit of opposition. Those of us on the other side of the issue - including writer Wendell Berry, former UK trustee Tracy Farmer, U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, UK Greenthumb and UK College Democrats - say this research is good, but should be done in forests where sustainable logging is already being practiced. It is unnecessary to damage what is left of the forest in Eastern Kentucky.
Robinson Forest is the last piece of wilderness (albeit reclaimed wilderness) left in Eastern Kentucky, and it should forever exist in its full 14,786-acre glory as a monument to what was once a grand, beautiful forest.
If you haven't been paying close attention, allow me to write briefly about what is going on. UK's forestry department has decided to push ahead with a plan to cut down 800 acres of Robinson Forest in order to determine the best way to cut down trees that are close to streams. In the department's words, it wants to "clarify the timber harvesting practices needed to avoid negative environmental impacts and assist Kentucky forest owners and manager in protecting water quality in rugged terrain."
Proponents of this plan claim that the "best management practices" for streamside logging have not been properly established and say that the research done at the forest is necessary. Also, the proponents of this plan say the byproduct of increasing the funds for the Robinson Scholars program is another plus of the logging plan.
At a public forum Sept. 25, the dean of the College of Agriculture, which houses the forestry department, explained this plan in detail and said he was surprised there was opposition to this plan at all.
However, there was quite a bit of opposition. Those of us on the other side of the issue - including writer Wendell Berry, former UK trustee Tracy Farmer, U.S. Rep. Ben Chandler, Kentuckians For The Commonwealth, UK Greenthumb and UK College Democrats - say this research is good, but should be done in forests where sustainable logging is already being practiced. It is unnecessary to damage what is left of the forest in Eastern Kentucky.
Robinson Forest is the last piece of wilderness (albeit reclaimed wilderness) left in Eastern Kentucky, and it should forever exist in its full 14,786-acre glory as a monument to what was once a grand, beautiful forest.
Be the first to comment on this story