Ashland Forestry Failure

[dave]

Last year the NYS DEC decided to clear cut and harvest hundreds of acres between Ashland Pinnacle and Pisgah Mountain. New York State did receive a substantial amount of funds from the harvest. This money was suppose to go to replanted and reforestation of the clear cut area. Instead, the funds were diverted to the General Fund. The money needed to complete the project was not properly appropriated, and will not be available. Therefore, the clear cut area will not be replanted. We asked the NYS DEC Press Release office to speak to those involved, but they refused to return phone calls.

Now, it is probably too late to replant the land with new conifer trees. The fields are now overgrown with grass and prickers. Will be nice for berry picking. If new trees were planted next year or the year after, they will probably die in larger numbers because they will be choked out. Here are some pictures:

[mike]

The entire mountain range has been destroyed. Actually, Huntersfield and Pisgah are still good. But, the hike from Pisgah and Huntersfield is ruined. On top of the deforestation, the trail from Ashland to Huntersfield has been abandon for following asphalt roads. Go figure! They also abandon the trail over Richmond. This long path was a wonderful walk with great views. Now it has been completely destroyed. Just a little upset.

If they hadn't run out of money, they would have destroyed Pisgah too!

[alexis]

So, disappointing. MIke took me there this Spring. What a nice hike before the leaves came on the trees.

With the budget cuts, it is unlikely we will ever see this area replanted. So sad.