ILLEGAL LOGGING THREATENS
UMSTEAD STATE PARK

Good NEWS!

The Barber property (about 30 acres) has been donated to Umstead State Park. But you still need to be aware logging like this can happen anywhere.

N&O Editorial: A clear-cut solution 12/21/98

Sign up now to volunteer with Umstead Coalition replanting.

This ugly sight is the results of illegal logging on a private site adjacent to Umstead State Park. The logs are left over trash on the site as of 1-25-98.

Logging stopped on this site January 98. The road in the background is I-40 near Cary.

One of the numerous problems on the site is the increased runoff and sediment that is carried into the nearby streams such as Bill’s Branch in these pictures.

Another of the problems on this site is that the owners logged up to the property line as seen in this photo.

This is a view down the logging road that was cut through the property. Note the increased run-off from the rolling topography. The front part of this property was selectively cut possibly to allow for development.

Habitat destruction is another byproduct of this careless action. Plants and animals depend upon certain areas to live and reproduce. The ferns seen in this photo are abundant in this area, but depend on shade. The removal of the tree canopy will completely wipe them out.

By removing the natural vegetation on this site this is the result. Eventually this run-off and sedimentation will find it’s way into Bill’s Branch flowing on to Reedy Creek which flows into Crabtree Creek feeding into the Neuse River just a couple of miles down.

Obviously one of the major arguements against clearcutting is the visual aspect. This shattered tree suggests a good metaphor for what has happened.

What Can You DO?

  1. Call Ed Frederick, Raleigh City Inspections Dept., 890-3743 and ask for them to investigate.
  2. Call the Park Superintendent Martha Woods at 787-3033 and express your concerns
  3. Join the Capital Group Sierra Club in fighting to protect this natural area.

Points to raise:

  1. The required logging permit was not obtained.
  2. Stream corridor buffers were not observed.
  3. Possible trespassing on park property and taking public property illegally
  4. The SHOD (Highway District) buffer was also violated.
  5. Lack of proper erosion controls to contain site run-off.

For more information call Greg Lytle.

rev. 2/21/02