LOGGING OPERATIONS HAVE BEGUN AT THE OLD STANDARD QUARRY
near Harpers Ferry, West Virginia!

This is a key part of the Shenandoah River/Chesapeake Bay watershed and one of the most scenic vistas in America. It is also a Civil War Battlefield.

Developers have already cleared a swath near the crest 2,000 ft by 250 ft. Some trees are 3-4 feet in diameter.

You can plainly see their activity from the southern end of School House Ridge. You can hear heavy equipment operating behind the trees. I have been in direct contact with several officials of the WV Department of Forests. A permit for logging the entire 499 acres was issued on July 27. They began logging on July 22. WV Officials noted it is a very large project.

LOGGING PERMIT OVERVIEW
- Clear cutting and removing stumps on 50 acres – to then be planted in grass.
- “Select cutting” on 350 acres. This means all trees that are over 20” in diameter can be cut. This could still result in clear cutting given the number of mature trees.
- The remainder is allocated for roads and support operations
Huffman Logging is the contractor.

The developers have large scale mulchers on site and are removing all stumps. This is very unusual for a logging operation. Mulch is in great demand and being sold. WV Officials say the developers will make major profits from the mulch.

WV regulations allow for cutting all the way to the water’s edge (Shenandoah). The developers are required to then plant a 100-foot buffer with grass. Forestry officials have been on site three times. WV officials stated they have no concerns about erosion or pollution of the Shenandoah. When asked about the cutting of 100+ year old trees one official stated, “they can always plant new ones”.

Any other help to directly stop the logging would be greatly appreciated!

Scot Faulkner
President
Friends of Harpers Ferry National Historical Park
Smf53@aol.com
304-535-2757