V. How are they being managed?
 
 
The Official Policy
The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Management's (DEM) Division of Forests and Parks manages old-growth forests on state lands.    Old-growth forests in Massachusetts have not received much management in the past.  Because old-growth stands tended to be inaccessible and to contain trees of low economic value, the forests where not thought to be in danger of human disturbance.  Since at least 1992, old-growth forests on state lands have been designated as Representative Natural Areas.  DEM's stated policy has been to leave these stands undisturbed; logging is prohibited (DEM, 1992)
A recent increase in interest in Massachusetts old-growth forest has led DEM to draft a more detailed policy for old-growth.  The policy  aims to "preserve and maintain the integrity of existing old-growth stands" and to manage secondary forests for old-growth attributes (DEM, unpublished).  One of the ways it does this is by establishing buffers around old-growth stands where other land uses do not conflict.  Practically, this means that no manipulation is permitted in old-growth stands.  Special permits are also required for research in old-growth.  The policy was approved by the Board of the DEM in July 1999.  To receive a copy of this policy, contact Ruth Dinerman, 413-443-0011 ext. 11.
Some old-growth forest is found on private lands, where it has no official protection.
 
 
Dealing with Development

 

DEM's commitment to protecting old-growth forest has recently been tested by development interests.  Wachusett Mountain Associates (WMA), a skiing company which leases state land for its operations, requested permission to add ski trails.  Permission for one of the trails was denied when, in the winter of 1995, researchers discovered an old-growth stand in its path.

After a long approval process, DEM is allowing the WMA to go ahead with plans for a snowboard park near the old-growth area.  This is unfortunate because the area, though small, could have provided some buffer for the adjacent old-growth.  Even if WMA does not construct trails through the old-growth, there is concern that other operations, such as the laying of snowmaking pipe, could disturb the old-growth.

However, during the winter of 1998, unknown villains entered the old-growth stand and used chainsaws to cut a ski trail illegally.  The ski bums cut saplings and branches and moved rocks, compacting the forest floor and letting light into the dark forest floor.  The WMA says that it knew nothing about this illegal activity.  Environmentalists say that the ski area should not be permitted to expand if it cannot prevent illegal actions with its current level of operations.

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