George,
It is most likely that the trees blown down on Mt. Grace were not "Old Growth."
There are two reasons for saying this. First, according to research by the
Harvard Forest we get a major hurricane in our area about every 50 years (It
has been 80 years since the l9389 hurricane so we are overdue for one).
Usually a liquidation cut is made by the landowner prior to selling the land to
the state, so not enough time had passed to for the forest to grow to "old
growth."
Ted
-----Original Message-----
From: George roaf <hemlockandoak@xxxxxxxxx>To unsubscribe write to warwicklist-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with Unsubcribe as
Sent: Sep 6, 2019 1:16 PM
To: WarwickList@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [The-L] Re: DO NOT SIGN - action inquiry to protect Massachusetts
State Forests in an era of Climate Disruption
so were the trees that got blown down on mount grace at hurricane 1938
all old growth ??
On 9/6/19, Ted Cady <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Do Not sign the petition.To unsubscribe write to warwicklist-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with Unsubcribe as
1. A few years ago a several year review of each state forest was done and
they were divided into 3 categories: Forest Management, Recreation, and
"Wilderness." (Warwick's state forest is mostly "wilderness" and forest
management with some recreation). This balanced the uses of the state
forests to meet their several goals. This email is too short to go into
complete details, suffice to say there are recreation, forestry, wildlife,
scenic views and more that need to be considered in how the land is managed.
2. There are very few mature old growth forests in Mass. One of the
reasons is hurricanes. Pictures of Mt. Grace after the l938 hurricane show
all of the trees on Mt. Grace (except the NW side) blown down. Large, old
growth trees make quite a mess when they blow over with their huge
wind-throw mounts. Properly thinned stands are better able to stand up to a
major storm and if they do blow over there is less of a mess to clean up.
3. Research has found that a diversified forest of brush, young trees and
old growth (as happens when the forest is thinned by proper forest
harvesting) does the best job of sequestering carbon. This is an argument
in favor of cutting to sequester more carbon. It is also the best way to
ensure that that carbon sequestration will continue even after a major
climatic event such as a hurricane, ice storm, or other major catastrophe.
4. Carbon sequestration is a very complex issue. If you look at the result
of a properly managed forest harvest, it is true that the carbon
sequestration declines immediately after the cut, but it soon returns and
probably will exceed the rate before the cut. In the mean time the products
from the harvest (for example lumber and furniture) are "sequestered
carbon." Thus, by having forest growth at various levels (brush, young
growth, mature trees) the carbon sequestration rate is greater than before
the harvest. You have the "sequestered" products of the harvest. And,
since lumber is the least carbon intensive building product (compare to
concrete, steel, etc.) you have reduced alternative carbon emissions.
5. Massachusetts has about the most complex cutting regulations as any
place in the world. Forest harvests are quite costly to prepare for because
a forest cutting plan must be done and approved by the state. You should be
thankful for forest products harvested from state forest lands because you
can be sure that they will be done to a higher standard. If we buy forest
products that have been cut elsewhere in the world do you really think they
will do less harm than products cut here.
6. The forests of Mass. have recovered from the devastation of the l938
hurricane. The down side of this is that there is not enough scrub growth
(or as wildlife folks would say, "early successional habitat." This results
in the loss of many species of birds and other creatures. Wildlife managers
are now doing clearcuts to encourage these species. You can see such a cut
if you take the Athol Road into Orange. I find it somewhat shocking, but if
you support species diversity it is a good thing.
7. State forests were created in part to supply forest products. If that
is no longer one of the purposes then the enabling legislation should be
changed.
8. State forests serve as a model for forest management on private lands.
If we stop cutting timber on state forests, it will be a model for not
cutting on private lands. Landowner surveys have shown that if landowners
can not cut timber on their land, they are more inclined to sell the land
for development. While private landowners have many reasons for owning
their woodlots, one of them is periodic income or as an emergency, backup
source of income.
There is more, but I have to go. Hope you get the idea.
Ted Cady
-----Original Message-----To unsubscribe write to warwicklist-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with Unsubcribe as
From: Jonathan Mark
Sent: Sep 6, 2019 10:28 AM
To: Warwick List
Subject: [The-L] Pause, stop and reflect - action inquiry to protect
Massachusetts State Forests in an era of Climate Disruption
Please take action! The Amazon on fire should be a wake up call for
everyone to rethink forest management during a time of climate disruption.
Please pause, stop and reflect the value of old growth forests and their
contribution to our world. To sign an online petition and for more
information: https://www.savemassforests.com
The following message is being sent to you from TRAPROCK ANNOUNCEMENTS.
Massachusetts bill H.897, An Act Relative to Forest Protection, will have
a hearing:
Tuesday September 24, 2019
1:00 pm
Hearing Room B-1
Statehouse, Boston
Please attend if you can!
Meanwhile, we are asking that you call or write to the Chairs of the
Committee hearing the bill (below), other members of the Committee (also
below) and ask them to support H.897.
Also please call your Senator and Representative and ask them to a)
support this bill, and b) write a letter of support to the Committee and
c) speak in favor of the bill at the hearing.
Here are talking points:
H. 897, sponsored by Representative Susannah Whipps, would protect all
state conservation land as parks or reserves where forest ecosystems are
guided primarily by natural processes. This bill would:
• fight climate change by reducing carbon loss — as occurs with current
logging activities — and by maximizing carbon sequestration;
• preserve 11% of the state’s land base and 20% of forested lands,
including large contiguous landscape blocks that are needed to maintain
native biodiversity, offering safe havens for wildlife and humans alike;
• enhance public benefits such as clean air and water, recreational
opportunities, and economic diversification.
This bill allows management flexibility to address public health, safety
and other concerns. It would not require increased funding to implement.
More information can be found here: https://www.savemassforests.com
Find your legislators here:
https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator
JOINT COMMITTEE ON ENVIRONMENT, NATURAL RESOURCES AND AGRICULTURE
Senate Members
Anne M. Gobi, Chair (617)
722-1540 anne.gobi@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Walter F. Timilty, Vice Chair (617)
722-1643 Walter.Timilty@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Michael F. Rush (617)
722-1348 Mike.Rush@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Edward J. Kennedy (617)
722-1630 edward.kennedy@xxxxxxxxxxxx
James B. Eldridge (617)
722-1120 James.Eldridge@xxxxxxxxxxxx
Ryan C. Fattman (617)
722-1420 Ryan.Fattman@xxxxxxxxxxxx
House Members
Smitty Pignatelli, Chair (617)
722-2210 rep.smitty@xxxxxxxxxxx
Daniel Cahill, Vice Chair (617)
722-2460 Daniel.Cahill@xxxxxxxxxxx
Colleen M. Garry (617)
722-2380 Colleen.Garry@xxxxxxxxxxx
James Arciero (617)
722-2012 James.Arciero@xxxxxxxxxxx
Carmine Lawrence Gentile (617)
722-2810 carmine.gentile@xxxxxxxxxxx
Daniel R. Carey (617)
722-2060 daniel.carey@xxxxxxxxxxx
Michelle L. Ciccolo (617)
722-2210 michelle.ciccolo@xxxxxxxxxxx
Richard M. Haggerty (617)
722-2090 richard.haggerty@xxxxxxxxxxx
David Allen Robertson (617)
722-2210 david.robertson@xxxxxxxxxxx
James M. Kelcourse (617)
722-2130 james.kelcourse@xxxxxxxxxxx
Norman J. Orrall (617)
722-2090 norman.orrall@xxxxxxxxxxx
Thank you for helping to protect our public land and ushering in 21st
century policies that reflect our 21st century concerns.
Spread the word!
Michael Kellett, RESTORE: The North Woods
Janet Sinclair, Concerned Citizens of Franklin County
------
Pat Hynes
for Traprock Center for Peace and Justice board
http://traprock.org
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