TIMBER SALE CANCELED

   The Timber sale of healthy marketable hardwoods in Robinson State Park  in Agawam, MA has been canceled.

   The controversial timber sale, proposed in January 2006, was put on a delay until November 30, 2007.
 On December 28, 2007, Commissioner Rick Sullivan of the Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) stated in a letter to the Friends of Robinson State Park that “At this time, DCR has revised the forest management plans for Robinson State Park from a timber harvest and sale to removal of dead and dying red pines”
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  Verbal discussion of the plans by DCR provide assurances that the focus will be on the trees  that pose a safety or fire risk to park visitors and to property that is abutting the park. This was the DCR goal when the project was first presented to abutters.   Many citizens never realized that the project was expanded into a timber sale in the hardwood sections.   It has now been reduced back to a salvage operation.  

     DCR employees and Commissioner Sullivan himself have visited Robinson State Park to determine exactly which red pines will be removed. Several important considerations will determine how extensive the operation will be.   Red Pines to be removed will be marked in a new color so that it will be very clear which trees are part of the new salvage operation.  Maps of the plans will be carefully prepared and reviewed by park staff and members of the Friends citizen group. 

      The plans will be designed so that no hardwoods will be taken during the operation.  The project will also be planned to avoid harm to other natural resources in the park.  During the twenty-three month period of communication between the DCR and the citizens of the community, there have been several important discoveries within the park.  At least three vernal pools have been certified, and several more will be certified within the next year.  A record-breaking stand of Tulip Poplars is being studied by the Eastern Native Tree Society and will be fully protected.  The Eastern Box Turtle  (a listed species with Natural Heritage) has been discovered in much greater numbers than previously understood.  Natural Heritage has conducted studies in the park and is currently preparing a final report that will designate areas that contain listed plant species for protection.  The naturally eroding banks of the Westfield River will be left undisturbed to maintain the required buffer area for the river.

     Dead trees that do not pose a threat to citizen safety will be left for their habitat value.  It is significant that in urban areas such as the Springfield area, most dead trees are removed either for safety reasons or aesthetic reasons.  Therefore, it is important in the park to keep them for the species that depend on them.  It is the hope of the Friends to be able to help educate the public about the "beauty" of the dead trees as an essential part of the well balanced ecological system that exists in Robinson State Park. 

     The Department of Conservation and Recreation has high hopes of restoring "World Class Parks" to the state of MA.  In that context, they are taking a look at the classification of public lands in the Western part of the state.  It is a fact that the Urban Parks within Route 128 are historically not considered for active forestry.  The whole issue of treatment of parks that serve urban areas has been brought to the attention of DCR.  The agency has a goal of being consistent in the treatment and stewardship of all public lands.

     The Friends group continues to promote the value of Robinson State Park to the surrounding communities.  The group encourages area citizens and visitors alike to visit and enjoy the park.  The Friends intend to make suggestions for the improvement of the park and to plan events in the park including another Bio-Blitz in June. They expect to enlist the help of area residents in an effort to discourage behavior in the park that is destructive. Specific goals are to be good  “neighbors” to the park,  avoid all dumping of yard waste into the park,  discourage illegal ATV use in the park, and to control/remove litter whenever possible.  

     The Friends citizen group intends to join a network of Friends groups statewide whose mission will be to improve, protect and promote the recreational lands of the Commonwealth.