Science

Chattahoochee National Forest Logging Plan Draws Fire

January 28th, 2016

A proposed logging plan in the Chattahoochee National Forest is drawing criticism from environmental groups. The proposal is to log about 1,600 acres and burn nearly 12,000 in an area between Ellijay and Helen in North Georgia.

The intent of the plan, according to U.S. Forest Service ranger Andy Baker, is to restore forests that have become unnaturally overgrown.

“It’s a combination of prescribed burning and commercial and non-commercial harvest operations that produce healthier forest conditions, more resiliency of the forest,” Baker said.

Baker said another 1,800 acres in the area would be set aside completely, as future old growth.

Still, Patrick Hunter, an attorney at the Southern Environmental Law Center, is concerned about the amount of logging proposed. He said this is larger than past timber operations in the Chattahoochee National Forest.

“The Forest Service hasn’t done the work to show that this is actually restorative in our mind,” he said. “And we don’t see anything about this project that is actually restoring a native ecosystem.”

The Forest Service is collecting public comments on the proposal through the end of next week. Baker said it could take a decade or more to complete the project.