www.Mohicanprotection.com
Many have asked how they can help with the tree-clearing threat to Mohican
Forest by Columbia Gas. As you may have seen in the paper, Columbia has
agreed to postpone their threatened cuts until the autumn of 2006 so that they
can receive public input on the process. Let's give them plenty of public
input. Here is how:
1) write a letter to your local Editor
2) send a copy of your correspondence to the Division of Forestry. Forestry has
taken the lead in fighting this unnecessary logging, but they need to know that
the public is behind them. Copies of your correspondence will give them evidence
they need. Send your copy to:
forestry@dnr.state.oh.us
or
Andy Ware, Division of Forestry
2045 Morse Rd., Building H-I
Columbus, Oh 43229-6605
3) Attend the public open house to be hosted by Columbia Gas at the
C.E. Budd Elementary School, 210 E. Main St. , Loudonville
(corner Main and Union ) Monday OCTOBER 23, 2007 7:00-9:00 PM
Columbia's announced plan is to clear a 50-foot wide corridor over all of their
transmission lines in Mohican, this much clearing would devastate the biological
integrity of the forest (not to mention the esthetic value). The are 54 wellheads in
Mohican state Forest and 2 more in Mohican State Park. A 600-foot diameter
clearing would be equivalent to 6.5 acres or the size of 5.9 football fields! Their
total proposal would result in the clearing of 365 additional acres, or 1/12 of
Mohican!
Mohican's biological value lies in the fact that it is a large block of unfragmented,
mature forest. - The only one in this part of Ohio. This results in the concentration
of a great diversity of plant and animal species, including more rare birds than
anywhere else in Ohio. Columbia's proposal would not only eliminate a great deal
of prime wildlife habitat, but the extensive forest fragmentation would allow for a
mass invasion of non-native invasive species like multi-flora rose, garlic mustard,
starlings and nest-parasitic cowbirds. The Mohican that is one of the richest
biological treasures in Ohio would be changed forever.
Columbia gas and its predecessors have been able to safely operate wells and lines
in Mohican for more than 50 years. They don't need to devastate our public forest
now.
Steve McKee
Director of Richland Co. Parks
This statement is endorsed by the Greater Mohican Audubon Society.
Blackburnian Warbler and Black-throated Green.
Warbler photo credits go to Cornell University..