Forest

In the Wake of Storm Havoc: Lawsuit and Executive Order Shape Uncertain Future for Western North Carolina’s Forest Management Plan

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Asheville, NC — The future of the once-celebrated plan to manage Western North Carolina’s national forests has grown uncertain. The strategy, formulated over the last ten years to enhance the ecological integrity of the Pisgah and Nantahala national forests, is now clouded by a recent lawsuit, a presidential directive to boost timber production, and extensive damage from Hurricane Helene. Finalized in 2023, the plan was aimed at maintaining healthy forests, ecosystems, and watersheds. However, project-level actions carried out under this plan, including various logging initiatives, are now under scrutiny and subject to change. These shifts … Read more

Key Change in Legal Team Could Delay Trial in Pittsfield State Forest Murder Case

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Pittsfield, MA — A significant shift has occurred in the legal proceedings concerning a murder case in the Pittsfield State Forest, as the defendant will be assigned a new attorney. This change brings uncertainty regarding the timeline for the trial, which was previously set to move forward. The case involves the tragic death of an individual, believed by authorities to have taken place in the secluded expanse of the Pittsfield State Forest. The area, known for its rugged natural beauty, became the grim scene of a forensic investigation following the discovery of the victim, whose … Read more

Lawsuit Challenges Major Fire Prevention Initiative in Plumas National Forest: Concerns Over Environmental Impact

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In a significant environmental and legal development, a lawsuit has been filed seeking to halt what is being labeled the largest fire prevention effort ever proposed in California’s Plumas National Forest. This ambitious project, backed by federal agencies, aims at executing extensive tree thinning and controlled burns across approximately 250,000 acres to manage increasingly severe wildfires. The lawsuit was initiated by Earth Island Institute’s John Muir Project along with the Center for Biological Diversity. These conservation groups argue that the proposed plan will cause irreparable harm to the ecosystem, severely impacting habitats for spotted owls … Read more

New York DEC Proposes Key Updates to Forest Tax Law, Seeks Public Input on Sustainable Forestry Initiatives

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ALBANY, N.Y. – The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has proposed updates to the state’s forestry regulations aimed at simplifying the management and sustainability of private woodlands. Sean Mahar, the interim commissioner of the DEC, announced these proposed changes on Friday that aim to update the existing Real Property Tax Law Section 480a, often referred to as the Forest Tax Law. The DEC will host two virtual public comment hearings on January 21 and has set a deadline for public input by January 27. The DEC’s revisions are designed to make it easier … Read more