Opponents and Supporters of Logging Voice Contrasting Vision for Land's Future
Blair Thomas
KY Kernal, Campus News
The responsibility of UK to use Robinson Forest as a nature preserve or as a research facility was the main topic of discussion last night for nearly 200 students, faculty and Kentucky residents.
UK Greenthumb and Kentucky Heartwood hosted a public commentary to begin a dialogue about the sustainable forestry plan that will log about 800 acres of UK-owned land in Eastern Kentucky over the next 12 months.
"As with any issue, there are far more perspectives than just being 'for' or 'against,' " said Ernie Yanerella, event moderator and faculty representative on UK's Board of Trustees. "That is what tonight is about."
Scott Smith, dean of the College of Agriculture, outlined the sustainable forestry streamside management plan before 25 speakers came forward to talk about the issues surrounding the university's responsibility to the forest and the logging plan.
"Robinson Forest is a research property, not a nature conservatory, and we have demonstrated countless ways of sustainable forestry practice already," Smith said. "This will not be a clear cut, it will be a timber harvest. This forest has regenerated before and it will again with responsible management practices."
Erik Reece, professor and coordinator of the UK Summer Environmental Writers Program held in Robinson Forest, said he is against the plan despite his respect for the science behind it.
"I think this science could have potential and could be legitimate, but I just don't think it should take place in a place so diverse as Robinson Forest," Reece said.
Nineteen students and community members spoke against UK's plan to log the forest and argued along with Reece that the property was not owned by the College of Agriculture, but by the university, and should be used for other purposes.
"This should not just be used for forestry research but also for the liberal arts," said Chuck Clenney, a 2006 participant in the summer writers program and WRFL general manager.
Don Girton, former president of Kentucky Woodland Owners Association, said UK would benefit from taking advantage of the research opportunities in Robinson Forest.
"Just as a medical school has a research department that allows students to work hands-on, this forest is a great research area for the department of forestry," he said.
Supporters of the streamside management plan, which will test logging's effect on streams, were present to offer examples of practical application for the study's potential findings.
Bob Bauer, vice-chair of the Best Management Practices Board, which updates and enforces Kentucky's forest practice guidelines, said the findings of the forestry plan would benefit the state because more than 10,000 acres of forest are logged each year.
"I'm not here on the issue of Robinson Forest," Bauer said. "I'm here to tell you that this research has the potential to protect more than just one forest, but thousands of acres of forest and streams every year."
Logger Daniel Bawker, who is working with UK on the project, agreed that this study would help protect Kentucky's forests.
"It puts the stream buffers that are used by logging companies to protect the waterways to the test," Bawker said. "The findings of this research will answer questions that we haven't gotten adequate answers to. Robinson Forest is not fragile. It can and will endure this project."
Board of Trustees members Jeff Dembo, Russ Williams and Nick Phelps, also Student Government president, attended along with Smith and listened to nearly three hours of concerns and suggestions from the speakers.
Garrett Graddy, Greenthumb and Kentucky Heartwood member who organized the event, said she was impressed with the overwhelming turnout.
"It's great to see so many people here to talk about an important issue that affects us all," Graddy said. "Seeing this many people here and concerned, this is the point when UK must ask itself, 'what is the larger vision for this forest?'"
E-mail bthomas@kykernel.com
