Article published November 17, 2009
Group effort will preserve Vinton Furnace
The 15,849-acre Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest in southeast Ohio, the state's largest remaining undeveloped block of forest, is to be conserved under public ownership thanks to a cooperative state-federal-private effort.
The forest is one of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in the United States and home to more than 50 years of ongoing forest research.
"It's an asset too great to lose," said state forestry chief Dave Lytle. "It's probably unique in Ohio."
Governor Ted Strickland and Ohio Department of Natural Resources Director Sean Logan recently announced the state's intention to purchase the Vinton Forest with the assistance of American Electric Power, the Nature Conservancy, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Conservation Fund.
The state negotiated a $15.1 million purchase price, 70 percent of which will come from federal and private funds.
The ODNR will seek approval to release $3.9 million in appropriated capital funds to complete the purchase of the property, which lies in Vinton County, by July.The land will continue to be managed as the Vinton Furnace Experimental State Forest, but under public ownership and use.
"I am grateful for the public and private interests who have come together to help support Ohio's purchase of the forest," Governor Strickland said. "This will ensure protection of a beautiful natural area and also maintain an important national research facility."
The ODNR's Logan added that "Vinton Furnace represents one of the most important forest research and demonstration sites east of the Mississippi River.
It is used for sustainable forest management research, for practical training by Ohio's $15 billion wood industry, and as a popular hunting destination for sportsmen and women from across the state."
The state's forest products industry, moreover, supports 120,000 jobs.
Most forestlands in the state, Lytle the forester explained, are private and 50 acres or less in size. Even the various state forests and Wayne National Forest, the only such federal holding in Ohio, consist of blocks of woodland.
"The worst threat to forests in Ohio is fragmentation, breaking them up into blocks," he noted. And that threat cuts across all interests and uses, from hunting and trapping to water quality, air quality, biodiversity, timbering - even the status of some neotropical songbirds, which are critically dependent on large, unbroken forest tracts for summer breeding territory.
"When you break up a forest, all these things are harder to manage," Lytle said.
Located 75 miles southeast of Columbus, the forest is home to the state's largest known population of bobcats, and is also home to black bears, timber rattlesnakes, cerulean warblers, and several rare plant species.
The state will sign an intent to purchase agreement with the current owners of the forest, an investment fund managed by the Forestland Group, LLC, to acquire the 3,250-acre Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest, as well as 12,599 surrounding acres known as the Raccoon Ecological Management Area.
The Raccoon Management Area, noted Lytle, is prime habitat for the colorful cerulean warbler, one of the threatened neotropicals. "Ohio has a special responsibility because the area is at the heart of cerulean summer breeding range," the forester said.
"Today's announcement marks a terrific accomplishment for forestry, wildlife, outdoor recreation, and rural communities in Ohio and across the Midwest," said Larry Selzer, president and CEO of the Conservation Fund, a national nonprofit organization in Arlington, Va.
"This purchase is only possible with the investment of funds provided through American Electric Power, Rockies Express Pipeline, the Nature Conservancy, the Conservation Fund, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, as well as with federal Forest Legacy program funds administered by the USDA Forest Service Northeastern Area State & Private Forestry," added Lytle. "The broad-based support of so many different public agencies, private companies, and nonprofit organizations demonstrates the significance of permanently protecting this great forest."
Since 1952, land at the Vinton Furnace has been dedicated towards forest use and sustainability research under an agreement formalized between previous owner Mead Corp. and the U.S. Forest Service in 1965.
"Research conducted at the Vinton Furnace Experimental Forest deepens our knowledge of the growth and ecological function of the central hardwood forests," said Michael Rains, Director of the USDA Forest Service's Northern Research Station. "A great deal remains to be learned as our forests continue to be threatened by an ever growing list of new pests and diseases. We applaud the state's effort to permanently protect this priceless resource, and we offer our ongoing commitment to maintain this research facility."
Over the past decade, the Forest Service has provided $1.5 million in payroll support for employees working at the Vinton Forest and has brought into Ohio more than $2 million in grants, which funded research at the forest.
Over the long term, Lytle sees continued emphasis on research at Vinton Forest in soils, birds, wildlife, timber management, even global climate change. "We consider this an opportunity for researchers across the state and country to conduct their work in Ohio," Lytle said.
At the same time, the forest remains open to daily public use, including hunting, hiking, and birding. In time Lytle hopes to establish roadside campsites for use in deer and wild turkey hunting seasons and general camping opportunities.
The forester also noted that timber will be harvested selectively and with an eye toward sustainability, the revenue going to support the local economy, jobs, and schools, among other benefits.
Contact Steve Pollick at:
spollick@theblade.com
or 419-724-6068.
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