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Congressman Whitfield Satisfied With Progress in LBL Logging Controversy

Congressman Ed Whitfield
U.S. Congress
Congressman Ed Whitfield

Kentucky Congressman Ed Whitfield met with county and Forest Service officials today to discuss the ongoing logging controversy at Land Between the Lakes. Last Tuesday the Forest Service announced plans to temporarily halt timber harvest sales and to modify existing logging contractsin the area after 3 months of public opposition to the land management technique.

After receiving many notes of concern regarding logging at LBL and a visit from county officials,Whitfield traveled to the LBL to speak with Area Supervisor Tina Tilley for a tour of the LBL.

“I was taken aback by the amount of logging that has been taking place over there," Whitfield said. "And we all do understand that there has to be a certain amount of logging for damaged trees, whatever, whatever. But it seemed excessive to me just on a visual tour."

LBL Forest Service Spokesperson Jan Bush says paper work is making it's way through Forest Service Administration to modify existing contracts to keep a buffer area of 100-150 feet around the Trace byway from being logged. Though the contract modification has not yet been officially approved, Bush says the loggers are honoring the change. 

Whitfield said he is satisfied that Forest Service officials are sincere in their actions to reevaluate timber harvests and engage the public.

“LBL is a unique resource. People were moved off that land involuntarily during the Kennedy Administration. So, it’s something that I’m very sensitive about because of the resource itself and the way it was taken from private landowners. So, I hope that people will be satisfied with this development but we’ll see,” Whitfield said.

The Forest Service will begin conducting public meetings in May to discuss possible alternatives for the Pisgah Bay project that has generated public concern. That existing plan includes plans for logging and burning.

Chad Lampe, a Poplar Bluff, Missouri native, was raised on radio. He credits his father, a broadcast engineer, for his technical knowledge, and his mother for the gift of gab. At ten years old he broke all bonds of the FCC and built his own one watt pirate radio station. His childhood afternoons were spent playing music and interviewing classmates for all his friends to hear. At fourteen he began working for the local radio stations, until he graduated high school. He earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology at Murray State, and a Masters Degree in Mass Communication. In November, 2011, Chad was named Station Manager in 2016.
A proud native of Murray, Kentucky, Allison grew up roaming the forests of western Kentucky and visiting national parks across the country. She graduated in 2014 from Murray State University where she studied Environmental Sustainability, Television Production, and Spanish. She loves meeting new people, questioning everything, and dancing through the sun and the rain. She hopes to make a positive impact in this world several endeavors at a time.
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