LANDOWNERS COULD PROTECT THEIR FORESTLAND - Program Could Pay Owners, Comments Needed

(05/06/2003)

The Division of Forestry is taking comments this week on a voluntary program to help conserve West Virginia's forests. The Forest Legacy Program would pay landowners in exchange for giving up their rights to sell their timberlands to developers. Landowners would still be able to manage the land for timber production. State Forestry Director Randy Dye says the public comment period is an attempt to determine how such a program would work in West Virginia. West Virginia is the third most forested state in the nation, but doesn't have a program in place to conserve its woodlands. Forests in the Eastern Panhandle and along the eastern border down to Greenbrier County are being threatened by development. Dye says adopting this program might save sections of forest. Public meetings were held Monday night in Charleston and tonight in Morgantown. Additional meetings are set for Wednesday in Beckley and Thursday in Romney.

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