Public Conversation on the County-Owned Forested Lands
June 12, 2019, 5:00 – 6:30 p.m.
Borg Warner Room East, Tompkins County Public Library
The Tompkins County Environmental Management Council has been requested by the Legislature’s Planning, Energy, and Environmental Quality Committee to review the relevant forestry science to provide it with recommendations on potential revisions to the Forest Management Plan (2007). Should the County’s Forested Lands be actively managed for greater species diversity and to reduce their vulnerability to climate change, insects, and disease? Or should the County refrain from managing the Forested Lands and permit the vegetation to grow along its own trajectory?
The EMC is seeking public contributions to inform this review. Active management was under consideration earlier this year. There was a substantial public response to the existing plan. The purpose of this initial gathering is to share and discuss scientific information concerning what is known about these types of forests, so that we might develop a common understanding of the issues, dynamics, and future consequences for these forests on our policy choices. This forum will be a first small step toward developing a shared baseline of information that may assist us in achieving a consensus on the best way forward.
If you are unable to attend, please contact us at http://tompkinscountyny.gov/emc/email to share your information and concerns with us.