The Sierra Club Ohio Chapter is dedicated to protecting Ohio's forests and natural areas. To learn how you can participate in the activities of the Forest Committee please contact Bob Kyle at rkyle@wideopenwest.com

In the spring of 2006, Columbia Gas Transmission announced that it would permanently deforest 1 out of every 12 acres of the Mohican. Citing the need for easier infrastructure maintenance and helicopter surveillance, Columbia Gas proposed to deforest a 50-foot swath along 13 miles of pipeline and a 300-foot radius around several storage wells. Hundreds of Ohioans attended public meetings, wrote letters and organized in opposition to Columbia's proposed cut.

In February 2007 Columbia Gas and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources signed a Memorandum of Understanding to define the limits of well head maintenance within the Mohican Memorial State Forest, Mohican State Park and the Clear Fork Nature Preserve. The MOU limits the cutting and clearing to a total of 120 ft radius around each of the natural gas storage wells for which Columbia has existing leases in the forest, park and preserve. Columbia has delayed any clearing of the miles of pipeline. Their decision for the delay is to attempt to improve their 'public image' by showing a 'good fair effort of cooperation.'

On April 10, 2007 the Columbus Dispatch reported that Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation had illegally cut 70 trees in the Mohican-Memorial State Forest. To view the article, please visit: April 10, 2007 Columbus Dispatch Article on Mohican

On June 7, 2007 the Ohio Department of Natural Resources ended their investigation of Columbia Gas for illegal logging in the Mohican. ODNR reached an agreement that requires Columbia Gas to make a $10,000 donation to the State of Ohio to establish an American chestnut nursery at Mohican State Forest. In the future ODNR will visit and verify state boundaries wherever a Columbia Gas pipeline crosses state property. For more details visit : http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/news/jun07/0607forest_clearing.htm

The Ohio Chapter will continue to work with Ohio Department of Natural Resources, other environmental groups and the media to watchdog Columbia Gas and to limit their arrogant invasions onto public and private property. If you are interested in getting involved email Bob Kyle.

Past news stories on Mohican:

June 8, 2007: Mansfield News Journal: "Columbia Gas, ODNR reach settlement on Mohican Clearing: Company agrees to pay $100,000 for chestnut restoration effort"

April 9, 2007: Mount Vernon News. "Trees mistakenly cut in Mohican".

October 25, 2006: Mount Vernon News. "Community speaks out about cutting of trees in the Mohican forest"

July 26, 2006: Mount Vernon News. "Concerns raised over clearing"

July 22, 2007: Mount Vernon News: Proposal calls for clearing in Mohican forest"

The Forest Committee participated in a hike and interpretive tour of a site in the Hocking State Forest that has been sold for logging. Twenty-five Sierrans braved the rain and mud to walk an area of the Hocking State Forest with Paul Knoop, retired Audubon naturalist and current volunteer for the Appalachian Ohio Alliance. We all enjoyed the opportunity to be outside and lean more about this area.

Paul described the problems with the selling and logging of this site while pointing out the specifics of the plants and trees representing 133 acres of old growth ecosystem that is adjacent to a hemlock ravine and nature preserve. This area was the focus of an Ohio Sierra Club Action Alert and an alert by the Buckeye Forest Council. John Dorka, Chief of the Ohio Division of Forestry issued a letter on November 2, 2006 stating that the logging would take place.

Mr. Knoop identified eight reasons why this area should not be logged:

For further information, please contact Bob Kyle.