VNRC Supports Ecological Protections at Willoughby

September 15, 2004

The Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation has issued a final draft management plan for the 7,784 acre Willoughby State Forest that strikes a balance between timber, wildlife management, recreational activities and ecological protections. VNRC recently submitted comments supporting many aspects of the draft management plan, including the broad protection of ecological resources.

Read VNRC's Comments on the Plan

Willoughby State Forest is one of Vermont's most beautiful places. The boreal cliffs on Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor are not only extremely picturesque and geologically unique, but they provide habitat for endangered Peregrine Falcons and a variety of rare plants. It is no wonder the cliffs are designated as a State Fragile Area, a State Natural Area, and a National Natural Landmark. The 1,692 acre Lake Willoughby is one of the Northeast's deepest lakes (over 300 feet deep) and home to trophy-sized lake trout. Other smaller ponds provide excellent trout fishing in a remote setting and provide important habitat for wading birds. Willoughby State Forest is a land of remote waters and deep forests. It's a land where the remote call of a loon or the sight of a moose prevails, but also a land where environmental degradation from motorized activity and illegal ATV use is prevalent.

As written the Willoughby State Draft Plan would:

• Ensure the protection of the fragile cliffs of Mt Hor and Mt Pisgah (1,685 acres). Recreation and forest management will be limited to make sure that the natural features of the area prevail.
• Provide over 12 miles of hiking trails.
• Provide for hunting, fishing, and trapping.
• Allow for sustainable forest management and active wildlife management on over 60% of the land base.
• Create a special recreation area around Blake Pond, Duck Pond and Vail Ponds (480 acres). This area is currently being damaged by motorized traffic and illegal ATV use. Roads leading to the ponds will be closed and the ponds will become available for remote camping and recreation.
• Manage 321 acres as deer wintering areas and 172 acres as beech mast stands.

Overall the proposed plan strikes a balance between timber and wildlife management, recreational activities, and sensitive area management. The plan recognizes the need for protecting the diverse ecology of the area, but it also plans for over 60% of the Willoughby State Forest to be available for timber harvesting and wildlife management.

Unfortunately, ecological protections and quiet recreation areas need your support in order to prevail in the face of opposition.

The offical comment period for the draft management plan ended June 2, 2003. However, to share your viewpoint you can still contact:

Gary Sabourin, State Lands Forester
VT Department of Forests, Parks, and Recreation
1229 Portland Street, Suite 201
St. Johnsbury, VT 05819-2099
gary.sabourin@anrmail.anr.state.vt.us

Let him know that the final plan should:

 

1. Enact the 480 acre Special Recreation Area:This area supports three remote undeveloped ponds in the setting of an unfragmented, high quality mature northern hardwood forest. Currently motorized traffic and illegal ATV use are negatively impacting water quality and causing erosion and environmental damage. A Special Recreation Area designation would close and stabilize existing roads and create a unique non-motorized recreation and primitive camping opportunity by remote biologically rich ponds. Support the Special Recreation Area designation and its management recommendations.
2. Protect biologically diverse Northern White Cedar Swamps : More than 100 acres of Northern White Cedar Swamps exist in the Willoughby State Forest. This community type is biologically rich and harbors a number of rare plants. Northern White Cedar Swamps are uncommon in the state, and several A-ranked examples are found within the Willoughby area. Support the protection of this community type from active management.
3. Support Highly Sensitive Classification Areas: There are ecologically sensitive lands within the Willoughby State Forest that deserve protection. Support the overall management recommendations for the Willoughby Cliffs Natural Area, the Marl Pond Natural Area, Moose Mountain, the Lake Willoughby Shoreline and the Bald Mountain Special Protection Area.
4. The management plan as written provides for appropriate balance among uses: Over 3,500 acres will be managed as General Use Classification Areas which will be open to timber harvesting and wildlife habitat management. This classification alone represents over 55% of the land base, and other management areas will allow for active management. The Department has balanced active and passive management, yet there is mounting pressure to strip away deserved ecological protection measures in the final plan. Voice your support for a balanced approach to land management at Willoughby.

 

Read the Draft Willoughby State Forest Plan

Visit VNRC's webpage for updates on the upcoming final Willoughby plan

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Jamey Fidel, VNRC Forest and Biodiversity Program Director at (802)223-2328 or jfidel@vnrc.org.