More than 100 disgruntled residents crowded the Maple View Agricultural Center Tuesday night for a forum on the Orange Water and Sewer Authority’s proposal to thin or cut 1,900 acres of forestland.
Despite OWASA’s assertions that the plan — which involves 17 of its properties — will improve water and tree quality, many residents were skeptical about the plan.
“We’re here because these experts are telling us we need to take action,” said Patrick Davis, sustainability manager for OWASA. “They’re telling us we need to do this for science-based reasons.”
David Halley, forester and manager of True North Forest Management Services, said foresters will cut small openings in the forest canopy rather than clear out all the trees. He said these openings would improve wildlife and vegetation growth.
“What we want to do is increase the amount of sunlight that reaches the forest floor so we can improve the canopy,” Halley said. “It’s a very attractive way to manage the forest and still maintain a good canopy.”
But residents like Michael Guse expressed concerns about the effects of introducing foreign chemicals into the environment.
“The machinery … is going to leak hydraulic oil,” said Guse, who said he received his master’s in environmental sciences and engineering at UNC. “You’re going to have kerosene and diesel fuel spill.”
Halley also said herbicides will be applied to about 37 acres of the designated parcels of land about once every 45 years.
“The use of herbicides in a protected watershed is ridiculous,” Guse said.
