On February 10, the researchers from NC State and Duke Universities unveiled their study of the chip mill data at an Educational Public Forum at Mitchell Community College in Statesville to an audience of 350. This study was commissioned by Governor James B. Hunt in October 1996 to look into the ecological and economic impacts of chip mills in North Carolina. This study resulted from citizen outcry and concern that communities, water quality, wildlife habitat, and our hardwood forests would be jeopardized if new or expanding chip mills were built in North Carolina. In 1997, the scoping process began, and the study officially started in 1998. CCRC along with other environmental organizations participated on the Advisory Board, which was made up of twenty members comprising the environmental community and industry sector. The study was divided into An Analysis of the Stormwater Runoff Impacts on Chip Mill Sites, Wildlife Species, Community-Socio/Economic Impacts, Non-Industrial Private Landowners, Tourism and Related Forestry Practices, Soil Impacts, Water Quality, Forest Trends, Industrial Forest Trends, and Non-Market Values. After more than two years worth of work, we appreciate the time, effort, and persistence that have gone into this Study. This effort was taken on by the researchers, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and citizens' persistence.
The Public Forum
The agenda for the Forum was extremely frustrating for all segments of the public. Six researchers presented their results followed by two question, answer, and comment periods. The public was not particularly interested in what types of models the researchers used to gather their data, how the data was documented or when this occurred for that matter. What the public was interested in, was what the researchers' results, conclusions, and bulleted findings were. The presentations were much too long, technical, and not "public friendly." It was also frustrating because the time frame for the public comment period was not long enough. Most people came to the Forum to hear the conclusions and wanted the opportunity to express their concerns, read their comments, and ask questions. After listening to the presentations, it was apparent that some researchers were continually skirting the real issue, which is are chip mills and the possibility of more being built in North Carolina-good or bad for the sustainability of our communities and forestlands? Since they could not arrive at a comprehensive summary to include this, the argument for caution and slower approaches need to be encouraged and demanded. Caroline Edwards, member of CCRC and Certified Forest Stewardship Contractor, stated that "this Study is really the beginning of information coming out and that we need to put more emphasis on learning about the timber impacts on our woodlands. We know that the impacts of fragmentation, urbanization, and deforestation are occurring; our forests are changing; and ultimately that our forests are disappearing."
Chip mills are the vehicles that promote excessive clear-cutting throughout North Carolina. Research is showing that within ten years, we will be cutting our hardwood forests at a faster rate than they are being replenished if new or expanding chip mills are built.
The Research Shows That
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Although CCRC did not go into this Study with high expectations, we are pleased to find that some of the data collected collaborates what we are seeing happen to our communities and forests. The Study has provided an incredible organizing tool to educate not only ourselves, but also the public. Media interest and support has been empowering for citizens and opened doors to talk with the public and agency and state officials. This is also seen in the interest that forestry issues have gained throughout North Carolina and the Southeast in the past two years.
As the North Carolina Study comes to an end, the Federal government is getting geared up to do a two-year Assessment on the sustainability of the Southeast forests. The US Forest Service is currently updating the Forest Inventory Analysis data, with North Carolina's data playing an important role in this study. Western North Carolina (WNC) has some of the most unique and diverse ecosystems in the Southeast that are being threatened by several chip mills with overlapping sourcing areas. We are hoping that the small area assessments incorporated into the Federal study will provide yet another platform to talk about communities, tourism, and sustainable forestry issues.
CCRC and the Dogwood Alliance diligently talked with researchers and pursued relationships to work at getting obvious gaps in the study closed up. These gaps included water quality issues surrounding off-site cumulative impacts associated with clear-cutting, community issues, aquatic species, and plant diversity. The weaknesses in the final study presentations were obvious and lacking in the ecological research. In the wildlife segment, it would have been helpful to include types of wildlife species that are affected by clear-cutting, which species thrive after clear-cuts/which do not, what happens when wildlife habitat is destroyed and species have to move or can not survive, and a more comprehensive look at other types of wildlife besides birds. A study on cumulative off-site impacts due to clear-cutting would have provided more substantial data to address water quality, erosion, sedimentation, and siltation of North Carolina's rivers, streams, and watersheds. The non-industrial private landowner segment should have looked at the types of forestland options that are available for the landowners, how this information is being dispensed, and who are the ones doing this. Regarding tourism, the data should have looked at areas where local economies depend on tourism and how these areas are affected by heavy timbering. And finally, where were the non-market values? Why do people chose to live in a certain locale that defines their quality of life, protects them from logging truck traffic safety problems, enhances their property values, and provides aesthetics? All of these questions should have been answered in the North Carolina Study.
What Next and What to Do?
CCRC supports the following and will actively campaign to impact state policy Prior Notification of Timber Harvesting, Mandatory Best Management Practices (BMPs), and Logger Certification for the State of North Carolina
Prior Notification of Timber Harvesting: North Carolina needs prior notification so the Division of Forest Resources knows where logging is occurring. For example, Virginia requires loggers to notify the state before they start logging. Prior Notification would insure that the laws are being followed.
Mandatory Best Management Practices (BMPs): These are basic guidelines that minimize water quality damage when logging happens. They include stream zone management buffer options, designs for appropriate logging roads, and a host of the specifications. Currently, BMPs are voluntary; not mandatory.
Logger Certification: In North Carolina, loggers are not required to have training or be certified. Logging is a complicated process that needs education and certification. Professional, such as electricians, plumbers, teachers, lawyers, and doctors are certified. Loggers need to be considered professionals and be state certified as well.
It is critical that citizens let the Governor know how they feel about these issues and talk and write letters to their legislators to educate them on these issues that are so important to all of us. Michael Conti, Chair of CCRC, who lives three miles from the Willamette Industries' chip mill in Union Mills had this to say, "If we continue in the direction we are going, my grandchildren will be very disappointed at what we have done to this beautiful country of ours."
CCRC's message continues to be that we support a statewide moratorium on any new or expanding chip mills until we have adequate policy in place that will protect our communities, water quality, and wildlife.
It is everyone's responsibility to be part of the process that protects the integrity of our human and natural communities, while having the forethought to think about long-term sustainability, and preserve this legacy for many generations to come.
Call the Governor at: 1-800-662-7952 and send him your comments: Governor James B. Hunt, 116 West Jones Street, Raleigh, North Carolina 27603-8001 Call or write to your state Senators and Representatives Write editorials in your local newspapers Talk to your friends and acquaintances about how important these issues are to all of us
