Representatives from the Friends of Lake Monroe are pushing for more time for the public to submit feedback on a multi-phase logging project proposed by the Hoosier National Forest. (Alex Eady, WTIU/WFIU News)
Representatives from the Friends of Lake Monroe are pushing for more time for people to submit feedback on a multi-phase logging project proposed by the Hoosier National Forest.
The Houston South project permits timber harvesting activity across more than 4,000 acres of forest land southeast of the Lake Monroe Area.
The Hoosier National Forest and The Friends of Lake Monroe collaborated in October to hear an initial proposal of the timber harvest plan. In November, the forest service gave the public 30 days to submit site specific comments about the project, requesting supporting documentation to help identify alternatives and determine environmental effects.
Last night the conservation group presented a petition to the Monroe County Council requesting their support in asking the Hoosier National Forest for extension of the comment period.
The group’s treasurer, Richard Harris, says 30 days is not a sufficient amount of time for people to digest the details and the potential impact of the proposed project.
“It’s difficult to find the details of the project and people just need more information and to be able to understand. It’s a very formalized process and people just need to be able to understand what the plan entails and what the effects are,” says Harris.
Representatives from Friends of Lake Monroe are concerned about erosion, watershed pollution and the disruption of forest recreation activities.
The group also opposes the proposed timber removal methods, including clear cutting, pine thinning and prescribed burns.
County Council President Shelli Yoder agreed that the 30 day comment period was not a sufficient amount of time and says it’s important that the public has the opportunity to voice their opinions.
The Friends of Lake Monroe contacted the HNF requesting an extension of the Dec. 26th deadline as well as the redistribution of the original announcement, which they say was unsuccessfully distributed and publicized.
The council voted unanimously to support the conservation group’s extension request.
The Friends of Lake Monroe plans to host public workshops with the goal of increasing awareness and encouraging more of the public to weigh in on the project.
