Indiana environmental groups are saying the state's Division of Forestryisn't creating enough opportunity for public comment on a new strategic plan they think relies too heavily on revenue from logging and developed recreational facilities for funding.
"We're saying depending on logging or recreational user fees instead of state appropriations makes the agency lose sight of its mission," said Jeff Stant, executive director of the Indiana Forest Alliance.
The Indiana Forest Alliance, along with six other environmental watchdog groups, sent letters to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources earlier this month, requesting an expansion of the public input process for the Division of Forestry's 2015-19 strategic plan. The letters say the department's three public meetings, one of which was Monday night in Indianapolis, are not enough, and that the department isn't following its own procedure manual.
John Seifert, state forester, said the Division of Forestry's new strategic plan isn't that different from the plan for 2008-13 and it's providing more opportunities than ever for public comment.
"People that don't agree with the position try to poke holes in the process," he said.
Stant does not agree with many provisions in the new plan. He takes issue with the plan continuing to allow the Division of Forestry to log at a rate of 14 million board feet annually. Stant said prior to 2005, the division was averaging between 1 million and 3 million board feet per year.
Seifert said even though the numbers Stant cited came from the Division of Forestry, they're not accurate.
"We didn't have really good records," he said.
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