RGS & AWS is leading the charge to support sustainable forest management in Wisconsin, forming a 30-member coalition in support of the Fourmile Vegetation Management Project, a significant forest management initiative in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.
Once implemented, the project will complete 12,277 acres of forest/habitat management and wildland fire risk reduction projects in northern Wisconsin. In addition, it will create 5.3 miles of controlled burn lines, create 1.2 miles of new access road construction and maintain more than 36 miles of hunter-walking trails, all contributing to the preservation and enhancement of the forest ecosystem and in coordination with the Chequamegon-Nicolet Forest Plan.
However, groups opposed to healthy forests management opposed the project, insinuating that “illegal logging” is taking place as the first timber sale associated with it (the Sunfish timber sale) started this past winter. These claims are unfounded: The Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest completed all the required processes to secure this project’s approval, including the National Environmental Policy Act, project scoping, the public commenting process and an environmental analysis.
RGS & AWS, along with 29 other conservation organizations, private entities and forestry and logging professionals, chose to unite in support of the U.S. Forest Service and the integrity of the Sunfish project, calling these claims an attempt to sway public opinion in a way that undermines the public commenting and approval process for the project.
“Our coalition sent a letter to let the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest know there’s overwhelming support for the project and that its entities want to see it carried through without being undermined,” said Jon Steigerwaldt, RGS & AWS Great Lakes forest conservation director. “In addition, the coalition let the Forest know it trusts the professionalism of their staff to carry out this valuable project to the highest standards, and it continues to believe the evidence shows they are.”
Other signatories of the letter include Aldo Leopold Foundation, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, Ducks Unlimited, National Wild Turkey Federation, Pheasants Forever and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation.
