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For Immediate Release February 29, 2008

TRADITIONAL USE GROUPS APPEALS RESULT IN ALLOWABLE TIMBER SALES INCREASE ON GREEN MT. NATIONAL FOREST

     Allowable timber sales will be increased significantly in the Green Mt. National Forest as a result of appeals against the 2006 Green Mt. National Forest Plan filed by three traditional use groups.

      The Vermont Traditions Coalition and two of its member groups, the Vermont Forest Products Association and Associated Industries of Vermont, filed appeals of the National Forest Plan in 2007.  The Ruffed Grouse Society and Vermont Agency of Natural Resources intervened on behalf of the traditional use groups appeals.

      In 2007, the United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service Washington Office appeal review team required the Green Mt. Forest Service to re-calculate allowable timber sales quantity.  The U. S. Forest Service announced this week that the re-calculation increased allowable timber sales by 3.3 million board feet annually.  The increase ranges from 18-35% according to various calculations of the Forest Service.

     Norm Arsenault is a retired top level U. S. Forest Service executive who also serves as Chairman of the Board of Selectmen of the Town of Granville, which includes a large chunk of the Green Mt. Forest.  Arsenault serves as the Vermont Traditions Coalition Project Leader on Green Mt. National Forest issues.

     "It's an important victory.  The appeal decision raises the timber cutting goal of the Forest Service, and increasing goals generally increases performance," declared Arsenault.  "Cutting more timber creates healthier forests, more abundant wildlife, more sustainable rural jobs, and more locally grown wood."

     "It's extremely rare for appellants to be successful at the national administrative appeal level," stated Northeast Biologist Paul Karczmarczyk of the Ruffed Grouse Society.  "We're heartened that the Forest Service recognized the error.  The decision will lead to improved habitat for wildlife."

     "The Forest Service correction confirms what forestry professionals have long known our National Forest is capable of producing far more raw material for Vermont workers than we've been allowed to take," said Vermont Farm Bureau Forestry Chairperson, Bruce Shields.

     Timber cutting in the Green Mt. National Forest virtually stopped between 2000-2005.  By 2007, Forest Service cutting had increased to just under 5 million board feet per year.  However, between 1961-1988, timber sales generally ranged from 10 million board feet--19.7 million board feet per year. Law suits by environmental groups and bureaucratic gridlock due to complex and convoluted regulations caused the drop off.

     "Times change," declared Vermont Traditions Coalition Executive Director Steve McLeod. "With societal changes such as increased biomass demand and increased recognition about buying locally, it becomes important to increase allowable timber sales to meet potential future needs and to be scientifically correct."

     "This is a step in the right direction for improving utilization of our national forests to support our rural economy," added Ed Larson, Executive Director of the Vermont Forest Products Assn.

Contact Information:  Norm Arsenault (767-3853) VTC; Bruce Shields (888-5165) Farm Bureau; Steve McLeod (434-3346) VTC Exec. Director; Ed Larson (224-9177) Vt. Forest Products Assn. Exec.; Paul Karczmarczyk (802-558-0884) Ruffed Grouse Society