Ohio's Mohican Singletrack Jeopardized By Gas Company Proposal
Action Alert
For Immediate Release
08-22-06
Contact: Drew Vankat, policy analyst
303-545-9011
A key Ohio mountain bike destination could soon be blemished by widened pipeline corridors and acres of barren well openings, should a Texas-based gas company carry through with a proposed clear cut in November. The timber clearings would damage mature forest and impact 25 miles of freshly built singletrack in Mohican Memorial State Forest, Mohican State Park and Clear Fork Gorge.
Take Action Today
To ensure the integrity of this important trail system and forest, please take these vital actions:
- Tell key policymakers you oppose increased deforestation in Mohican Memorial State Forest, Mohican State Park and Clear Fork Gorge Nature Preserve.
- Ohio citizens should consider signing and circulating the Mohican Protection Group's petition urging park and forest managers to continue to protect the integrity of the Mohican region. More information about the petition can be downloaded here.
Additional Information
Columbia Gas Transmission Corporation plans to cut trees around its storage wells and transmission rights-of-way in Mohican Memorial State Forest, Mohican State Park and Clear Fork Gorge. The deforestation is excessive, would compromise important mature forest habitat and damage 25 miles of freshly-built singletrack.
The timber clearings are not required by law, and Columbia's plans appear to challenge their existing leasing rights-of-way as established by the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Columbia Gas maintains more than 50 natural gas storage wells and more than 13 miles of pipeline in the Mohican Forest. These new cutting standards would deforest eight percent of Mohican's 4,500 acres and cross singletrack at least 16 times.
The Mohican/Malabar Bike Club (MMBC) has joined with other concerned citizens to organize a campaign encouraging the Ohio DNR to preserve the trails and forest continuity of the Mohican State Park and State Forest. MMBC successfully partnered with other local stakeholders to secure a grant for the Mohican trail system's construction. Already a popular destination, the trail is nearing completion and on track to become Ohio's longest. Mohican State Park hosts the annual MTB 100 race, part of the National Ultra-Endurance Mountain Bike 100 Series.
Adjacent private lands have already been negatively impacted by Columbia's newly claimed rights-of-way. Several recent clearings, left barren and un-recovered, are stark indicators of the potential impact of Columbia's plans for the Mohican. Irresponsible deforestation of the Mohican region will lead to habitat fragmentation, trail damage, increased erosion, decreased water quality and vector the spread of invasive species.
Take Action Now!
