Dear Beagle readers, Last week Friends of the Forest (Mogo) combined with Friends of Mongarlowe River and the Forest Embassy to write a media release “Shameful, outdated logging along the famous Corn Trail”. Although the first part of the Corn Trail is in an adjacent shire, the logging is taking place next to the Corn Trail in Eurobodalla Shire. As such we believe it merits publishing in the Beagle. For your convenience I provide the media release below. Melanie Turner has provided the photos of the destruction taking place up there right now
Shameful, outdated logging along the famous Corn Trail
The first objective of the NSW Forestry Corporation is to ‘Be a successful business’. Friends of the Mongarlowe River (FMR) argue that the economics of logging steep hillsides in a forestry compartment surrounded by Declared Wilderness just don’t stack up. These magnificent native forests are worth far more to Australia as unlogged carbon sinks.
With no discernable commercial benefits there are serious adverse effects:
the iconic and much loved Corn Trail is located immediately adjacent to the now-devastated forest;
the Corn Trail is under current consideration for inclusion on the State Heritage Register;
based on previous research in NSW forests up to 200 vulnerable Greater Gliders are almost certain to die as a result of the logging;
the rare Spotted Quoll, recently seen in the area, will also be put at risk;
run-off from logging these steep slopes has the potential to contaminate water quality of the Buckenbowra and Clyde Rivers;
post-logging burns due later in the year pose a threat to the surrounding ancient cool climate rain forest, the source of these cloud-fed rivers.
Friends of Mongarlowe River, a group initiated by Judith Wright more than thirty years ago, fought successfully to create Monga National Park which surrounds the logging area.
With Friends of the Forest and the Forest Embassy, we call for
An immediate halt to logging operations; and
Reclassification of compartment no. 517 - which has already sustained heavy losses - and the adjacent no. 516, as Preserved Forest Area; and
A process to incorporate these forests into the bordering Buckenbowra Wilderness Area (Monga National Park).
Locals are hopping mad about the destruction of this precious State asset. The fact that native forest can be logged in this wilderness area is deplorable.
The opportunity exists for major political parties to claw back some of the growing environment vote by taking a principled stand on this critical issue. Thank you for publishing Friends of the Forest
