SOUTHERN INDIANA – Indiana Governor Mike Braun has called on federal officials to “immediately withdraw” the controversial Buffalo Springs Restoration Project, which proposes logging and burning nearly 20,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest. The U.S. Forest Service (USFS) plan would log 5,000 acres and conduct prescribed burns on 15,500 acres of forest in southern Indiana.
The project has sparked significant opposition from residents, environmental groups, and government officials, with concerns about its potential impact on water quality, wildlife, and recreational areas. Braun highlighted that the forest is a popular destination for outdoor activities and raised concerns about the project’s effects on Patoka Lake, Indiana’s second-largest reservoir.
Braun’s letter to federal officials referenced the unanimous opposition from Crawford and Orange County commissioners and the Paoli Town Council. He also pointed to the growing resistance from residents who argue the project could harm local ecosystems and cultural sites, including historic buffalo traces. Braun emphasized that the project could threaten the drinking water for over 100,000 Hoosiers.
The project, which was initially proposed in 2021, aims to regenerate oak-hickory ecosystems by removing non-native pine trees and addressing the spread of oak wilt disease. However, environmental groups, such as the Indiana Forest Alliance (IFA), argue that the project oversimplifies the forest’s ecology and could lead to significant damage. They advocate for a more protective management approach and emphasize preserving biodiversity, recreational opportunities, and ecosystem health.
Despite widespread opposition, aspects of the project were maintained under the Biden administration, though Braun’s office has suggested that the Trump administration may be more willing to reconsider the decision.
The outcome of this debate remains uncertain as Braun continues to push for alternative management strategies and greater community involvement in decisions about the future of the Hoosier National Forest.
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