Time is running out! This week, we’ve observed timber-company foresters with clipboards assessing trees to prepare bids for Mr. Craig’s timber sale.
What’s known for sure? Mr. Craig told a Chapel Hill Town planner he would definitely be able to say when his clear-cutting would begin, soon after the timber sales contract is signed on August 15th, next week! After such contracts are signed, the timber belongs to the logging company. It’s too late for any reconsideration. Although the Chapel Hill section is only 1½ acres, we have concluded clear-cutting of all proposed 37 acres will soon take place.
“Tree harvest,” 37 acres! The non-binding forest management plan for the Craig Tract in Chapel Hill and Carrboro implies an imminent danger from pine beetle and forest fires. However, according to Professor Doug Frederick, link to memo, this area of Bolin Forest is healthy and could grow another 80 years. The memo is found at this link. Both the Orange County Lands Legacy and the Natural Heritage programs consider the land worthy of preservation and conservation. Neither the Town of Carrboro nor UNC who owns Carolina North forest, contiguous with the Craig Tract, are pursuing clear-cutting.
Unique location! This 77-acre tract that Mr. Craig owns in Carrboro/Chapel Hill/Orange County happens to be wedged between the already protected Adams Preserve and Carolina North – both with conservation agreements – making his land even more valuable as a community resource. Not only will this be tragic for wildlife, but also a tremendous loss for valued recreation, replaced by a monoculture of planned Loblolly Pines, more vulnerable, perhaps, to pine beetles and fire.
Huge resource! Clear-cutting these mostly hardwood acres will destroy a forest so rare in our rapidly urbanizing area. Orange County and our towns need this forest, particularly given our Land Legacy program. It is a resource and asset like none other and cannot be replaced.