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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowGov. Eric Holcomb will allow the Division of Forestry to auction valuable hardwood timber and conduct timber stand improvement from Yellowwood State Forest on Nov. 9. Former Gov. Robert Orr set aside this remnant of our forested natural heritage as backcountry for Hoosiers to enjoy hunting, camping, hiking and observing wildlife. Instead, Gov. Holcomb will deny this experience to 2 million Hoosiers who live within an hour’s drive.
Gov. Holcomb is ignoring research completed by 45 scientists from 15 Indiana institutions of higher learning that details the entire flora and fauna of a 946-acre area of Yellowwood. This inventory reveals 4,000 species—many rare, threatened, and endangered species—that call Yellowwood home.
Regardless, the Division of Forestry remains intent on dismissing this research, continuing aggressive logging, and treating our state forests as a cash crop. We will lose money on this deal too: the head of the department has publicly stated that he expects the state to receive a mere $150,000 for this sale. Who would bid $150,001?
Gov. Holcomb has the authority to halt this disruption of 300 acres. Keep Tecumseh Trail open. Please urge him to change this decision and protect our quality of life.
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Mary Bookwalter
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