Friday is last day to submit comments on Jellico Project

May 23—More than a dozen people attended a McCreary County public meeting in Stearns on Tuesday, May 14, to learn about the US Forest Service (USFS) Environmental Assessment for a proposed project to log almost 10,000 acres in Whitley and McCreary counties. Organizers of the meeting shared information on the most current Proposed Action and two alternative proposals.

McCreary County's Jonah Neal opened the meeting, welcoming those who attended the meeting.

Neal, who resides in the Osborne Creek area of McCreary County, explained why he arranged the McCreary County meeting.

"I'm concerned about many elements of this project and its effect on the community," Neal said. "Major concerns of mine, as well as my fellow residents in the area, include major flooding, landslides, and impacts on the wildlife and endangered species. I also believe the project should create economic impacts for the local communities by creating campgrounds, hiking, and riding trails, and using local loggers which this project does not provide. However, I want to thank the Forest Service for their continued involvement in listening to the community and hope to continue this positive dialogue."

Timm and Theresa Martin, a husband and wife team from Whitley County, who, from the start, have been instrumental in providing information about the proposal and organizing citizens concerned about the project, also addressed the group. A Facebook post by the Martins shortly after the meeting summarized their feelings and their push for concerned citizens to submit public comment.

"Your past 324 comments in November 2022 are the only reason the Forest Service created Alternative 1, which is way better than their Proposed Action. Alternative 1 is 3,000 acres (vs. 10,000) and four to six years (vs. 40 years), and they removed the two worst types of clearcutting, including outright clearcutting the mountain tops. They listened to us. The Forest Service told us 'Alternative 1 is real, and we need to hear what the people think for us to make the best decision.' Tell them what you think. It doesn't have to be fancy or long. Say it in your own words, you know these mountains and what they mean to you. We only have 10 days left to comment, until Friday, May 24. And then it's over. The Forest Service is waiting and listening."

KY Heartwood Director Lauren Kallmeyer also spoke during the meeting about her concerns regarding the Jellico project. Kallmeyer specifically cited a geological study of the area that outlines the potentially dangerous impact of the project on soil, sediment delivery, and water quality.

Additionally, the director noted that Kentucky Heartwood has documented certain animal/bird species in the area.

"We have evidence that they (certain birds/animals) are there, not just "may be present" as the Forest Service says," Kallmeyer stated.

The project proposal, which has met opposition from the local community, proposes to conduct silvicultural treatments including timber harvest, intermediate treatments, use of herbicides, and associated road work on approximately 9,600 acres of National Forest lands. The Jellico Project area is in McCreary and Whitley Counties, along Kentucky's southern border with Tennessee. More specifically, it consists of the National Forest lands south of Ky. 92 and between Interstate 75 and US 27.

A slightly different proposed action and two additional alternatives have been developed and analyzed as a result of initial scoping and public meetings to address the public's concerns associated with project size, longevity, and harvest methods, two additional alternatives have been developed and analyzed.

Alternative 1 consists of different silvicultural activities including two-aged shelterwood, thinning, salvage, intermediate vegetation treatments, and associated road work that would be implemented over the next four to six years, or from approximately 2024 to 2030, except for intermediate treatments. Some of those treatments, such as invasive species control, would be expected to continue for the next 15 years or so. Silvicultural treatments under Alternative 1 would occur across 84 stands encompassing approximately 2,900 acres.

Alternative 2, the No Action Alternative, was developed to address public concerns associated with all proposed project activities, including herbicide use. Alternative 2 consists of no project activity related to this proposal being implemented in the project area.

Some project opponents feel there is little chance that Alternative 2 will be selected for the proposal and that Alternative 1 is the best because it drastically reduces the amount of clearcutting and cuts the length of the project from 40 years to approximately six.

Those wishing to comment on the proposal must submit written comments by letter to: Tim Reed, District Ranger, 3320 Hwy 27 North, Whitley City, KY 42653, phone: 606-376-5323, fax: 606-376-3734 or by hand delivery (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., excluding holidays) at the address above.

Electronic comments must be submitted in a common digital format to https://cara.fs2c.usda.gov/Public//CommentInput?Project=63037.

For objection eligibility, each individual or representative from each entity submitting timely and specific written comments regarding the proposed project or activity must either sign the comments or verify identity upon request §218.24(a)(3). Please state "Jellico Vegetation Management Project" in the subject line when providing electronic comments, or on the envelope when replying by mail. Comments received in response to this solicitation, including names and addresses of those who comment, will be considered part of the public record on this proposed action and will be available for public inspection.

— Reprinted with permission