Some protest plan to thin New Jersey forest to protect from fire

Robert Besser
02 Dec 2022, 07:50 GMT+10

As part of a project to prevent major wildfires in a federally protected New Jersey forest, up to 2.4 million trees, heralded by some as unique environmental treasures, would be cut down
According to New Jersey environmental officials, the plan to remove trees in a section of Bass River State Forest, was adopted on 14th October by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission
Slated to begin in April, it aims to better protect against catastrophic wildfires and will only affect small trees, not the towering giants that make the Pinelands National Refuge famous

TRENTON, New Jersey: As part of a project to prevent major wildfires in a federally protected New Jersey forest, up to 2.4 million trees, heralded by some as unique environmental treasures, would be cut down.

According to New Jersey environmental officials, the plan to remove trees in a section of Bass River State Forest, adopted on 14th October by the New Jersey Pinelands Commission and slated to begin in April, aims to better protect against catastrophic wildfires and will only affect small trees, not the towering giants that make the Pinelands National Refuge famous.

However, the plan has split environmentalists, with some saying it is reasonable and necessary, while others say it is a waste of trees.

Pinelands Commissioner Mark Lohbauer also voted against the plan, calling it ill-advised on many levels.

"We are in an era of climate change. It is incumbent on us to do our utmost to preserve these trees that are sequestering carbon," he said.

By using data from the state's application, the Pinelands commissioner calculated that 2.4 million trees would be removed.

According to the state, the affected area has about 2,000 trees per acre, four times the normal density in the Pinelands, and most of the cut trees will be ground into wood chips that will remain on the forest floor, eventually returning to the soil.

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Illinois Intelligencer.

More Information

28 ℉

Fair in Springfield

North America

Section

US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies not just about China: White House

Washington [US], February 2 ANI): US President Joe Biden saw the US-India initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET) as ...

Golf Glance: Stars align for Pebble Beach Pro-Am

Field Level Media's Golf Glance provides weekly news and storylines from each of the major North American golf tours. PGA ...

US Denounces Sudan Release of Killer of US Aid Worker

washington - The United States on Wednesday voiced alarm over Sudan's release of a man sentenced to death over the ...

"I got everything in my career, there's nothing left": Lionel Messi drops retirement hint

Paris [France], February 1 (ANI): After securing the most important trophy of his legendary career at Qatar by lifting the ...

France, Australia pledge to deepen ties with Taiwan

Taipei [Taiwan], February 1 (ANI): France and Australia have pledged to deepen their ties with Taiwan. The two countries have ...

Expectations Low on Debt Ceiling Deal in Biden-McCarthy Meeting

Washington - President Joe Biden is meeting with Speaker Kevin McCarthy at the White House on Wednesday afternoon, the first ...

International

Section