Action Alert: Comment on Red Spruce Restoration Plan
The Forest Service is accepting comments on their red spruce restoration plan, and the deadline is fast approaching — September 5th.
Historically, red spruce forests dominated West Virginia’s Appalachian Highlands, providing critical habitat for species like the West Virginia northern flying squirrel. However, clear-cutting and subsequent wildfires decimated these forests, leaving behind fragmented ecosystems. The Forest Service’s plan to restore these habitats in the Mon Forest and three other Appalachian forests is a vital step forward, but it must be backed by a thorough Environmental Assessment (EA).
We’re urging the Forest Service to:
- Clearly outline the goals, best practices, and monitoring for red spruce restoration in the EA.
- Establish baseline measurements for existing red spruce and soil conditions.
- Ensure that restoration is focused on ecological benefits, not tied to timbering.
- Prioritize projects based on a detailed inventory of historic red spruce areas, with a commitment to ongoing research.
Thank you for advocating for cool water, healthy forests, and the West Virginia northern flying squirrel!
More soon,
WV Rivers
