Kentucky Heartwood has filed a lawsuit challenging the U.S. Forest Service’s South Red Bird Wildlife Habitat Enhancement Project on the Daniel Boone National Forest in Leslie and Clay counties. The largest timber project on the Daniel Boone in nearly 20 years would allow commercial logging on over 3,800 acres of public lands, along with the construction of… Continue reading Kentucky Heartwood files lawsuit challenging nearly 3,800 acres of logging in Daniel Boone National Forest
Author: White Oak
The Ecological Benefits of Fire
Wildfires are destructive forces, but they can occur naturally. Because of this, certain plants and animals have evolved to depend on periodic wildfires for ecological balance. Prescribed burns can mimic the benefits of wildfires while also lowering the risks associated with larger, uncontrolled fires. READ THE STORY AT NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC
Intensive Forest Management Increases Fire Severity
A recent paper examined the role that plantation forestry has on fire severity, and compared this to the relative importance of other variables known to drive fire severity (topography, weather, and fuels). This is important research because a frequent assertion made is that intensively managed forests, characterized by densely planted, even-aged young trees, are less… Continue reading Intensive Forest Management Increases Fire Severity
What You Don’t Know About Your National Forests
Logging in national forests is increasing. National Forests are legally required to balance five uses: recreation, timber, range, wildlife, and water. Recreation generates far more income than timber harvests in national forests. READ THE STORY AT BLUE RIDGE OUTDOORS
Changes in Water Quality Last More Than 30 Years After Clear Cutting
Evidence from 36 years of data following experimental clear-cut logging at Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory, N.C., suggests that forest disturbance in the southern Appalachian mountains can cause elevation of nitrogen in streamflow. These elevated nitrogen levels can last decades or perhaps longer. READ THE USFS STUDY
Proposal calls for cutting trees in Whitley and McCreary counties
The Kentucky Daily – Several have shared their concerns on Facebook regarding a United States Forest Service proposal that could potentially clear out wooded areas in their backyards. “No deforestation or conversion of land use is proposed,” confirmed Timothy Eling, Public Affairs of the Daniel Boone National Forest. READ THE STORY ON THE KENTUCKY DAILY
Bunch Branch – 3D Maps
3D Maps of Bunch Branch, off Emby Moses Road, off Little Wolf Creek Road in Whitley County, Kentucky These 3D maps are visual approximations for illustrative purposes only. 3D MAPS DISCLAIMER
3D Maps Disclaimer
The 3D maps provided on this website are visual approximations for illustrative purposes only. Be sure to visit the U.S. Forest Service website for official maps on the Jellico Vegetation Management project. We created the 3D maps using the MapRight app. Mountain view maps are from the perspective of a drone at about 100-500 feet elevation. Sky… Continue reading 3D Maps Disclaimer
Understanding Treatments
The U.S. Forest Service plans to log 9,798 acres in 256 stands using five main treatment methods, represented by colored areas on the map. To better understand these treatments, here are some terms used: BA – basal area per acre; the cross-sectional area of all trees at 4.5 feet above the ground, summed and divided… Continue reading Understanding Treatments
What is Basal Area?
The proposed harvest methods by the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) often mention basal area. For example, here is a sentence from the USFS description of clearcut: At least 15 basal area per acre (BA) is retained in any scoured ephemeral stream zones. The diameter of a tree at 4.5 feet above the ground is called diameter… Continue reading What is Basal Area?