[WestMALocals] Press Release| Broadhurst Urges Action to Stop Robinson Park Logging

[Owen Broadhurst]

 Owen R. Broadhurst
96 Elbert Road
Agawam, MA  01001-3202
413.786.1508


AGAWAM- The Green-Rainbow Party candidate for state representative in the
Third Hampden District, Owen R. Broadhurst of Agawam, expressed his
opposition to the timber harvest plan for Robinson State Park in Agawam in a
recent statement.



"Green Certification from the Forest Stewardship Council for public forests
under control of the Department of Conservation and Recreation and the
Division of Fisheries and Wildlife is contingent on designation of forest
reserves and improvement of forest management in the Commonwealth. The
planning process for such certification is still underway, coordinated by
the Executive Office for Environmental Affairs, and shall ultimately
determine which parts of the state forest system shall be used for
commercial harvesting and which shall be designated as forest reserves. I'm
fearful that a large swath of Robinson State Park is presently being
designated for commercial timber production at tremendous risk to the
watershed, Westfield River basin, and threatened and endangered species. The
time is now for Robinson State Park to be designated a sanctuary."



Broadhurst observed that a movement is afoot to privatize forest management
and forest resources. "The Division of Conservation and Recreation does not
engage in timber harvests itself, but rather hires that task out even as it
sells the fruit of the harvest at low-ball rates. Even as the state pursues
Green Certification, it is in essence taking public lands and reserving them
for private profit. The very large swath of land at Robinson State Park
scheduled to be leveled leads me to believe that the state intends for that
portion of the park to house and facilitate a private logging enterprise,
and that the proposed shelterwood harvest is intended far less to promote
age diversity for the park's enhancement than to secure for the logging
industry their permanent home in Agawam."



Broadhurst observed how present law sets forest management at
cross-purposes. "The law notes that 'the public welfare requires the
rehabilitation, maintenance, and protection of forest lands for the purpose
of conserving water, preventing floods and soil erosion, improving the
conditions for wildlife and recreation, protecting and improving air and
water quality', yet also notes that forest lands have an express purpose in
providing 'forest products for public consumption, farm use, and for the
woodusing industries of the commonwealth'. What this means is that, whatever
the stated purpose of the timber harvest at Robinson State Park, the harvest
is an end in itself as one clearly stated goal of forest management in
Massachusetts is 'profitable management', e.g. timber sales."



Broadhurst calls for Robinson State Park to be designated a wildlife
sanctuary. "Despite its remarkable diversity, Robinson State Park lacks the
protections and benefits of being designated a wildlife management area, or
better yet a wildlife sanctuary. My strong belief is that the Department of
Conservation and Recreation is compromised in its stewardship of Robinson
State Park, and that Robinson State Park should instead be protected by the
Habitat and Land Protection Program of the Department of Fisheries, Wildlife
& Environment Law Enforcement and the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife."




-- 
Owen R. Broadhurst
Candidate for State Representative
Third Hampden District
http://www.owenbroadhurst.org